pain with every deep breath -sharp, painful. also a cough started over last week. i fell down a flight of stairs on my back3 weeks ago. had back x-ray no breaks or fractures. i dont understand this new pain 2 weeks after the fall or the sudden cough. could my lungs be bruised or something else?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. Chest pain on coughing and deep breathing is seen in pleurisy (inflammation of pleura). And common causes for pleurisy are pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural effusion and Pulmonary contusions. So in your case possibility of either pneumonia or Pulmonary contusions (due to fall you had) is more. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination of respiratory system and chest x-ray. If chest x-ray is normal than no need to worry about these causes. You might be having musculoskeletal pain only. So apply warm water pad on affected site, start painkiller and muscle relaxant Chat Doctor.  First rule out pneumonia and Pulmonary contusions. Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.