Why do I get a sharp pain in my chest/lung

[Brittany1004]

I am a 21 year old college student. I drink heavily about three or four days a week. I smoke when I drink, but otherwise I don't. I have always had good health, I eat a balanced diet, and I exercise regularly. For the past month or so I have been getting extremely sharp pains in one specific area in my chest when I take deep breaths. It stops me from breathing in because it is so painful and I have to stop what I'm doing and breathe a couple times deeply, despite the pain, until it goes away. It usually does go away after I take four or five deep breathes. It is on the left, between the side and front of my chest and a couple inches below my breast. It doesn't happen when I'm exercising but more at random times. A couple weeks before this started when I took deep breathes I would hear and crack/pop in my back and otherwise my back never cracks. It's starting to concern me but I don't want to hop right to the doctor for them to tell me to not worry about it. Anyone have any ideas?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

If it is cervical spondylosis, relief can be got by wearing a cervical collar while working and while traveling. The emphasis here is to not bend your neck. Avoid pillows while sleeping. There are exercises, but it will be difficult for me to explain here. Initially anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxant drugs will help. Take Care.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Brittany1004]

Wow you hit the nail right on the head. I have seen a chiropractor and do have some sort of neck problem. It lacks the curve structure that a neck is supposed to have. Fortunately the pain has discontinued since I've been home from college. I think this may be because of the terrible bed I have at school. If it continues I will go see a doctor, and hopefully I can start going to a chiropractor again. Thank you for the answer I really appreciate it.