Chest Pain When Breathing: Possible Causes
Chest pain when breathing can have several causes. Some are quite serious, so it is a symptom that should not be overlooked. In principle, any chest pain would require prompt medical consultation.
Chest pain when breathing is usually associated with lung or heart disease. However, it is also a recurring symptom in a large number of other cases and, by itself, is not sufficient to identify a specific pathology. Therefore, it always requires a medical evaluation.
In consideration of this, it is evident that it is not at all easy to establish its nature without further investigation. However, among the main causes we find those listed below.
Pleurisy, one of the possible causes of chest pain when breathing
Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura. The latter is a membrane formed by two sheets. One covers the inner area of the rib cage, while the other envelops the lungs. When it becomes inflamed, it causes intense chest pain, which increases with breathing.
In fact, the main symptom of pleurisy is this type of pain, which increases every time you inhale and exhale. For this reason, it is also possible to experience a feeling of shortness of breath, since the person is forced to breathe slowly in order not to increase the discomfort. In some cases, the pain radiates to the shoulders and back.
Sometimes, fluid accumulates between the two sheets of the pleura. This is known as a pleural effusion. If there is a lot of fluid, pressure is generated on the lung which can cause partial or total collapse. This causes coughing and shortness of breath.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis also causes severe pain in the chest when breathing. This is inflammation of the pericardium, a membrane that surrounds the heart. It consists of two layers and, when it ignites, the level of liquid present between the two increases. Again, a certain pressure is generated on the heart, which limits its pumping.
The main symptom of pericarditis is severe pain on the left side of the chest. Pain that increases when breathing, especially if deep. It also gets worse when lying down and is often accompanied by a cough, fever, and a general feeling of discomfort.
Pulmonary embolism, one of the causes of chest pain when breathing
Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening disease caused by the detachment of a thrombus from one part of the body, which reaches the pulmonary arteries. Typically, this thrombus comes from the lower extremities.
The symptoms of pulmonary embolism are not unique. However, it is quite common to experience severe chest pain, which increases with deep breathing. Typically, dizziness, agitation, anxiety, fainting and / or convulsions, among others, also occur.
Pneumothorax or lung collapse
Pulmonary collapse, or pneumothorax, is a disease due to the leakage of air escaping from the lung, and which is deposited between the lung itself and the rib cage. The accumulation of air exerts strong pressure on the lung, preventing it from expanding normally during inspiration.
Chest pain, of an intense type, is the typical symptom of pneumothorax and in fact increases with breathing or coughing. In addition to this, a feeling of shortness of breath and tightness in the chest may be felt. In some cases, it causes dizziness and fainting, a bluish skin color, increased heart rate, and shock.
Pneumonia
Another reason your chest can hurt is pneumonia. It is an infection that causes inflammation of one or both of the lung sacs. The latter can fill with fluid or pus, causing a strong with phlegm or pus. Pneumonia occurs in varying degrees of severity and is life-threatening.
Characteristic symptoms include chest pain when breathing and coughing. In addition, fatigue, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and, in some cases, disorientation or impaired cognitive function can occur.
Costochondritis
Costchondritis is inflammation that affects the cartilage that joins the rib to the chest bone or breastbone. This condition causes severe pain in the chest, which is often mistaken for a heart attack.
The pain noticeably increases with deep breathing or coughing. The cause, in fact, is not yet known, and usually disappears on its own after a few days or weeks.
