Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I was in a car accident about 5-6 weeks ago where the airbags deployed and I suffered chest wall injuries. I was treated at ER. Chest x-ray was normal as was a follow up x-ray a week later. The pain is gone pretty much though I still get a little pressure at times. However, I have an irritating cough and feel minor tightness with breathing that hasn t gone away. I am getting enough oxygen and can breathe deeply, but the shallow breathing is still causing me to cough and be just a little lightheaded. I m still under care of a doctor. He told me it s from the bruising to lungs and chest (but no more serious injuries were found) and that it will take time to heal. I just need to rest. Reading online under chest wall injuries I don t find many people that have this issue well after the accident. I can get relief from the cough and minor breathing irritation when I rest but it returns with any movement. It wears me out. I do have a history of bronchitis and asthma when I get the bronchitis but have never smoked.
[|AI|]  Hi. I can understand your concern. Yes lung injuries are seen and do take time to recover. Possibility of bronchitis is more in your case. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). PFT is needed for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only. You may need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)Don't worry, you will be alright. Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.