Pain when breathing could be a sign of a serious health condition such as pleurisy. This can cause a painful sensation when you inhale and exhale. If you have trouble breathing, you can visit OmnicareMedical.com.au to schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that your symptoms should be addressed on time to find out the underlying cause. Continue reading to know when to get help, including the possible causes of painful breathing, treatment, and more.
Painful Respiration: Pleuritic Chest Pain
Pleuritic chest pain or known as pleurisy, is a condition where you can experience sudden and intense stabbing, sharp, or burning pain in the chest when breathing. This painful respiration can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. Other than the pain, it can also be accompanied by trouble breathing. Some factors might make it difficult to breathe, similar to the position of your body or the air quality.
In addition, pleuritic chest pain can be an indication of a severe health issue or illness. This frequently requires prompt medical care. Schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately for any unexplained chest pain or trouble breathing. Furthermore, speak with your doctor, especially if you have a chronic illness that causes intermittent episodes of painful breathing.
Signs and Symptoms of a Medical Emergency
All urgent medical or dental issues should be attended by a health professional. You can dial 911 or go to the closest emergency room if you are encountering pain while breathing, together with any of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath
- rapid breathing
- loss of consciousness
- gasping for breath
- choking
- nasal flaring
- chest pain
- air craving or feeling like you cannot get sufficient air
- confusion
- dizziness
- excessive sweating
- pallor, or pale skin
- fever
- blue discoloration of skin, lips, fingers, or toes
- coughing up blood
Pleurisy can be a sign of a medical emergency or an indication of a severe health condition. Regardless of whether you think the cause is minor, visiting your doctor can help guarantee there is not something more serious going on. Also, if your painful breathing is a panic reaction for a mouth injury, emergency dental clinics are open 24/7 if the pain is unbearable for tooth or gum-related issues.
Medically Reviewed Causes of Painful Breathing
Sometimes, a physical issue to the chest, such as a bruise or burn, can result in painful breathing. If other medical treatments cause pain and discomfort, such as tooth replacement like dental implants, they can also contribute to your body’s reaction to hyperventilate and lose breath if it attacks. This can also cause a painful sensation. In some cases, the reason may not be evident, and you will have to visit a specialist for an exam. Conditions that result in painful breathing can vary broadly in seriousness and incorporate temporary illnesses and more significant issues with the heart and lungs.
Illnesses
Although the common cold can cause wheezing and minor deep breathing inconveniences, the pain may be associated with more severe illnesses. It can be agonizing to take a deep breath, or you might experience difficulty breathing when lying down, depending on the reason.
In any case, here are some illnesses that can cause painful breathing.
- pneumonia, a lung infection that occurs because of a bacterial or viral infection
- tuberculosis occurs because of serious bacterial infections
- pleurisy, an inflammation of the coating of the chest cavity or lungs often because of infection
Lung Disease
Lung injuries and disorders can likewise result in painful breathing. In contrast to short-term ailments, these conditions can cause long-term breathing issues. You will probably experience pain when inhaling and exhaling, and your breaths might be shallower. More profound breathing might cause coughing fits together with pain.
Heart Disease
Coronary illness is another possible cause of trouble breathing. In this condition, you will likely encounter shortness of breath and breathing discomfort. Around 26% of individuals having a heart attack might have breathing issues without chest pain.
Kinds of cardiovascular disease that can add to painful breathing include:
- heart attack, when blood flow to the heart is hindered
- angina, when blood flow to the heart is diminished
- pericarditis, when irritation of the sac encompassing the heart causes a sharp pain
- heart failure, when the heart cannot pump blood properly
Diagnosis
A doctor will usually get some information about the symptoms, review a person’s medical history, and complete a physical assessment of their chest. They may then prescribe one or more tests to help provide medical advice about a person’s pain. Potential tests include:
Chest X-ray: This test creates an image of the chest and permits the doctor to check for conditions, such as infections and injuries.
CT scan: CT scans involve taking a progression of X-rays from various angles to make more precise pictures. This test is sometimes more helpful than a chest X-ray.
Pulmonary function tests: These affect an individual doing a progression of breathing assessment that helps diagnose how well their lungs are working. Specialists can utilize the outcomes to analyze respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pulse oximetry: This test measures oxygen levels in the blood. Low degrees of oxygen can demonstrate some respiratory conditions, like pneumothorax or pneumonia.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Specialists use this test to measure the electrical movement of an individual’s heart, which can help determine heart issues.
Home Treatment
Medical treatment for individuals with agonizing breath relies upon the underlying cause. Notwithstanding, home treatment might assist with alleviating chest pain and other symptoms.
Individuals who encounter pain when breathing might wish to try:
Pain Medications: OTC drugs, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help lessen pain from minor chest injuries and conditions like costochondritis.
Changing positions: Inclining forward or sitting upright can sometimes help ease chest pain.
Doing breathing exercise: Therapeutic breathing practices, such as holotropic breathwork, can help alleviate discomfort. In addition, breathing more slowly and relaxing the chest may help relieve symptoms in some individuals.
Cough suppressants: If your signs and symptoms additionally incorporate coughing, taking over-the-counter cough medicines may help to diminish pain and discomfort.
Prevention
Preventing this kind of manifestation is not generally possible. Conditions that can prompt painful breathing do not always have an apparent reason, making it difficult for an individual to forestall.
Nonetheless, some lifestyle changes can help decrease the risk of infections and other chest issues that can prompt excruciating breath. These can include:
- practicing good hygiene, for example, routinely washing hands
- doing regular exercise
- eating a balanced and healthful diet
- quitting smoking
- having an annual flu shot
- getting enough sleep
Conclusion
Painful breathing is not a disease itself yet typically a symptom of another condition. Causes can go from gentle to extreme and can incorporate chest injuries, inflammations, and infections.
Generally, getting advice, diagnosis, or treatment is essential when you experience painful breathing. Individuals with this symptom should make an appointment with a doctor for further evaluation. Also, keep in mind that anyone with chest pain and trouble breathing should look for immediate medical attention.
References:
Pleurisy.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pleurisy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351863
Lung Disease Lookup.
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup
Types of Cardiovascular Disease.
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cardiovascular/heart_disease/types_of_cv.htm
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html
Computed Tomography (CT).
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/computed-tomography-ct
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