Pain in the area of the chest (chest pain when breathing) is one of the most frequently complained about complaints and can be an expression of various diseases. By no means is this pain always a sign of lung disease, as most lay people mistakenly assume.
Causes
Diseases of the pleura and lung, are characterized by severe pain that intensifies with deep breathing. If the discomfort does not increase significantly with coughing and deep breathing, observation suggests against involvement of the pleura. Very often, chest pain is merely an accompanying symptom of an infectious disease, for example, influenza, measles, scarlet fever, rubella, or an expression of rheumatism. The cause of chest pain in these cases is a circumscribed and more or less extensive inflammation of the intercostal muscles and the other muscles surrounding the chest, but not of the lungs. Chest pain, especially in the area of the left side of the chest, does not have to originate from the respiratory organs, but can be a sign of a circulatory disturbance of the heart muscle, especially if there are simultaneous radiating complaints in the left arm. In general, due to peculiar nerve relationships, the pain is often expressed less in the really diseased organ than in very specific parts of the body. Characteristic of this is the pain in the area of the right shoulder blade in diseases of the gall bladder. Shingles, for example, may also begin even before the appearance of any skin symptoms with quite characteristic, very severe discomfort in one side of the chest, which may often be interpreted by the non-specialist as pleurisy, whereas in reality the intercostal nerves are irritated.
Chest contusion
Complaints following chest contusions are particularly intense and often very persistent. The discomfort intensifies with deep breathing and can cause stabbing pain, especially when coughing. However, again, the cause is not an injury to the lungs, but a rib fracture, irritation of the periosteum, at the ribs, or circumscribed bleeding in the muscles.
Pleurisy
Diseases of the pleura and lung, especially the so-called dry pleurisy, are characterized by severe pain that intensifies with deep breathing and noticeably subsides during the pause that occurs between exhalation and inhalation. There is an exudation and deposition of fibrin. As a result of this process, the normally mirror-smooth pleura of the ribs and lungs is transformed in a circumscribed area into a rough, uneven surface, the friction of which the physician can feel even by placing his hand on it. If, on the other hand, in the course of dry pleurisy, for whatever reason, there is a greater exudation of tissue water, we speak of moist pleurisy. It is sometimes particularly difficult to recognize the disease when the part of the pleura that covers the diaphragm is affected, because the examining physician often cannot recognize anything pathological and only an X-ray examination reveals a unilaterally poorly mobile diaphragm, which clarifies the cause of the disease. The fact that there are also congenital or acquired diaphragmatic gaps, albeit rare, through which, for example, part of the gastrointestinal tract may be displaced into the chest cavity, shows how complicated the conditions sometimes are. In this case, stronger discomfort is indicated when tightening the abdominal press, but the symptoms are again referred to the chest organs by laypersons.
Pulmonary diseases
Diseases of the lungs, for example pneumonia, dilation of the small tracheal branches (bronchiectasis), larger cavity formations (abscesses), bronchial asthma as well as chronic bronchitis, very often bring more or less large amounts of sputum and slightly excessive to high temperatures (fever). Depending on whether the inflammatory processes take place in the immediate vicinity of the pleura, there may also be stabbing pain when breathing and coughing. In most cases, however, these pains are not in the foreground. In contrast, pulmonary tuberculosis often begins without alarming signs of illness. Except for moderate fatigue and general languor, possibly associated with night sweats, it almost never causes discomfort.Even the doctor only succeeds in detecting it with the X-ray procedure or computer tomography, since no or only very slight changes can be detected when tapping and listening to the lungs. In summary, the stabbing pain when breathing is not peculiar to a disease, but can be an expression of the most diverse pathological changes in the chest or upper abdominal area. Frequently, however, disorders of the spine can also painfully move into the chest region. In any case, it is recommended to consult a doctor in case of more severe complaints of this kind. Unfortunately, all more serious diseases, including lung cancer, which has recently become common, usually progress without pain at the beginning. Therefore, it is urgent, in your own and others’ interest, to have preventive examinations done more often at the doctor.
Diseases with this symptom
- Angina pectoris
- Lung cancer
- COPD
- Pneumonia
- Bronchial asthma
- Mediastinitis
- Pleurisy
- Vertebral blockage
- Bronchiectasis
- Flu
- Rib bruise
- Rib fracture
- Chronic bronchitis
- Diaphragmatitis
- Tuberculosis
Complications
Pain on breathing usually occurs as a concomitant of relatively harmless diseases, but can also bring serious complications. If the pain occurs as a result of pneumonia, the symptoms can be expected to intensify. In addition, there may be bloody discharge and further inflammation in the area of the lungs and throat. Pain while breathing that occurs as a result of a rib fracture or bruise also intensifies at first, but usually decreases in the course of recovery. This is not the case with pain as a result of an influenza infection. In this case, the pain while breathing is accompanied by a variety of complications. There is pain in the entire throat area, the familiar flu symptoms such as cold and cough, and physical malaise. Scarlet fever, rubella, measles or chicken pox, as well as rheumatic diseases, sometimes also cause severe pain when breathing. The same applies to circulatory disorders, although the complications in this case depend on the underlying disease and can vary greatly. Possible complications include myocardial infarction, enlargement of the pain center, respiratory weakness, circulatory problems and, consequently, a reduction in the patient’s quality of life. If the pain on breathing is due to an accident, there may be an injury to the lungs that has not been adequately treated. Bleeding, inflammation, and periosteal irritation are possible complications.
Outlook and prognosis
Chest pain and pain on breathing should be taken seriously. Cough and severe lung disease can manifest as chest pain and pain on breathing. For the prognosis of recovery to be good, it is important that the affected person notice the symptoms quickly and contact a physician. If lung disease is present, further examination by a lung specialist is necessary, as he or she can make an accurate and detailed diagnosis. One can also do something oneself for healing and improvement. So that the complaints do not become so bad, it can be helpful if the affected person takes freshly brewed tea again and again throughout the day. In this way, the affected areas can be soothed and there may be relief from the pain. The prospects for treatment look very good if you act in time. In this case, it also depends on the cause of the chest pain and pain while breathing. Without proper treatment, not only the pain may worsen, but also the underlying disease. If it is a lung disease, a pulmonary doctor should be contacted immediately to prevent the disease from developing into a life-threatening situation.
When should one go to the doctor?
There are many possible causes for chest pain and pain when breathing. Theoretically, all organs located in the chest can hurt. In addition, occasionally pain from the abdominal organs radiates into the chest. If chest pain or pain on breathing occurs, the primary care physician should be consulted immediately as a precaution.Medical laymen can hardly distinguish harmless chest pain and pain when breathing from possibly even life-threatening diseases. Chest pain and pain when breathing can be a normal accompanying symptom of an infectious disease such as severe cold, flu, scarlet fever, rubella or measles. Circulatory problems, inflammation of the intercostal muscles, or pleurisy also cause chest pain and pain when breathing. Athletes often attribute the phenomenon to chest contusions, which may well be true. However, it is also worth considering a potentially life-threatening condition such as a heart attack or damaged aorta. Esophageal problems, pneumonia, or even lung cancer are other convincing arguments for preferring to see a doctor immediately if chest pain and pain on breathing occur. The general practitioner, who has usually known his patient for a long time, will be able to assess the patient’s situation regarding chest pain and pain when breathing. To deepen the diagnosis, he will refer to a specialist, for example, to an internist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, orthopedist or neurologist.
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Please answer the following questions as fully as possible. Also note any additional questions and then ask your doctor.
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You can do it yourself
Some home remedies and self-help measures can relieve the symptoms. Taking thyme with food or as a tea has an expectorant and antispasmodic effect. Expectorants containing ivy extract support the important expectoration. Bed rest is important for the recovery process. Taking cough-irritant remedies such as Icelandic moss extract improves nighttime rest. In case of dry cough, combination with remedies that simultaneously loosen mucus and dampen cough irritation is not beneficial. Sweating cures by taking saunas and Kneipp chest compresses are proven home remedies. The chest compress, coated with a one centimeter thick layer of quark on the inside, applied for 30 to 90 minutes, promotes well-being. A well-ventilated room combined with humid indoor air has an invigorating effect. If chronic respiratory problems are involved, loosening and foot reflex zone massages help. Calm and even breathing in and out strengthens the healing process. Taking medicinal herbs such as harefoot and ribwort plantain via smoothies or as an infusion of tea improves well-being. If the affected person drinks at least two liters of water a day, this has a restorative effect. A diet rich in vitamins strengthens the body’s defenses. In the case of pain caused by bruised ribs, cooling measures with cold packs or gel have a pain-relieving effect. The affected person supports the course of recovery by avoiding major physical activities.
