Chest pain when breathing in | Stinging in the chest while breathing

Chest pain when breathing in

The lung is surrounded by the pleura, the thorax is lined from the inside with the pleura. In healthy people these two layers can slide past each other and allow the lung to expand. In the case of inflammation of the lungs, also known as pleuritis, this sliding is disturbed and there is stabbing pain, which is noticeably improved when the breath is stopped.

An inflammation of the most important respiratory muscle may also cause stabbing pain when breathing in. The most important respiratory muscle is the diaphragm. This lowers when inhaled, the lung expands and air flows into the lung.

As the diaphragm is lowered, the pressure in the abdomen increases, which can cause stabbing pain in the upper abdomen or chest in the event of gastritis. A tear in the lung fur, the so-called pneumothorax, leads to sudden stabbing pain and shortness of breath. Another cause of stabbing pain when inhaling could be pulmonary embolism, which is caused by a blood clot that usually forms in the deep veins of the leg.

Pulmonary embolism is accompanied by sudden onset of shortness of breath and must be treated as soon as possible. An inflammation of the heart muscle, also called myocarditis, can be painless. However, if the pericardium (the so-called pericardium) is involved, perimyocarditis is present.

This disease can also cause stabbing pain when inhaled. In addition, a contusion of the ribs also leads to pain when breathing. However, this is indirectly a consequence of the contusion. Often the affected person tries to breathe shallowly to avoid great pain.

Chest pain on exhalation

Stinging, breath-dependent pain, which is only localized on one side, makes one think of a pneumothorax, which can occur on the left or right side. Another clinical picture in which the stabbing can be localized on the left side is pericarditis. In this case the pain improves when the patient is bent forward.

A rib fracture or a contusion of the ribs on the left side are further causes of left-sided, breath-dependent stinging. A pulmonary embolism in pulmonary arteries close to the pleura and located on the left side may also manifest itself as left-sided, breath-dependent stinging. If the pain is not breath-dependent and may radiate into the left arm, back or jaw, coronary heart disease or even a heart attack must be considered.