Pneumothorax
The sudden onset of sharp chest pain on one side, not the center of the chest, made worse by a deep breath or cough warns of a pneumothorax. Pneumothorax means a collapsed lung, which can result from a blunt or penetrating chest injury, certain activities such as scuba diving, or without any apparent cause. Air leaks into the space between the lungs and chest wall, pushes on the outside of the lung and causes it to collapse. Shortness of breath, ranging from mild to severe, accompanies the sharp chest pain felt on the same side of the affected lung. Seek immediate medical attention for accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
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