NHS urges ‘call 999’ over chest symptom which could ‘indicate a more serious condition’

NHS urges ‘call 999’ over chest symptom which could ‘indicate a more serious condition’ Khelja | 08/03/2025 19:21:46

If you experience pain when coughing, sneezing, or moving, the advises seeking medical attention, as it could be a sign of pleurisy. And you may need to call 999 as it could indicate a serious condition.

But what is this? "Pleurisy is inflammation around the lungs, which causes sharp chest pain. It's easy to treat and usually gets better in a few days, but can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like pneumonia", the NHS explains.

What is pleurisy?

Experts at explain that the chest pain affects part of your body called the pleura - and you have two in total with one for each lung.

READ MORE:

They write: "Each pleura consists of two thin, sheet-like layers of tissue. The inner layer covers your lung. The other layer lines the inside of your chest wall. They fit snugly within your chest. There's a small amount of fluid in the space between the two layers (the pleural space). This helps the pleurae glide smoothly as you breathe.https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/in-focus/videoembed?playerType=vod&wapCode=np&platform=amp&autoPlay=true&pagetype=articleshow&requesturl=/english-news/publisher-Daily%20mirror_english/health/nhs-urges-call-999-over-chest-symptom-which-could-indicate-a-more-serious-condition/articleshow/1450482061822832fae843a5c1afed27124e73da&isViewPort=true&offset=100&source=&enableCAN=false&adSlot=518050&BL=0&Meta_Keywords=&msid=14504820d44832b22c15e947182a548d302aa896&apikey=np260mweb5a7bug6gko&xpHostID=374&isXpVdo=nbt&&size=mbigVod

"These layers keep your bare lungs from rubbing against the wall of your chest cavity every time you breathe in. When the pleurae are swollen and inflamed, they rub against each other in a painful way each time your lungs expand. When you inhale deeply, cough, sneeze, or laugh, you’ll probably feel a sharp, stabbing pain in the area that’s affected."What are the symptoms of pleurisy?

The main symptom of pleurisy is a sharp chest pain that occurs when you breathe in. The pain may worsen with coughing, sneezing or movement and can extend to your shoulders and back.