How to diagnose pain when inhaling on the right | Pain when breathing in right

How to diagnose pain when inhaling on the right

Since pain when inhaling on the right side is initially a very unspecific symptom, the diagnosis of the symptoms must be started very generally. The anamnesis, in which the origin of the complaints and typical risk factors can be inquired about, is usually a guiding factor. This is followed by a specific physical examination of the lungs, chest, heart, liver and gallbladder and, if necessary, the back and shoulder.

Depending on the suspicion, laboratory tests should then be performed for the affected organ. Imaging procedures such as ultrasound (particularly suitable for the heart and liver) and X-rays (for the shoulder, lungs and chest) can also provide further information. If necessary, further special examinations are performed depending on the suspected diagnosis.

Possible accompanying symptoms

The accompanying symptoms of pain when inhaled are highly dependent on the cause of the symptoms. If a disease of the gallbladder or the liver is the cause of the pain when inhaling on the right, other symptoms of liver disease usually occur. These include a so-called pruritus (itching) and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

Flu-like symptoms are typical of lung diseases such as respiratory tract infections or pneumonia. It leads to coughing, rhinitis, fever, fatigue, limpness and aching limbs. Other lung diseases and diseases of the thorax (for example pulmonary embolism or pleurisy) often lead to shortness of breath and other breathing problems in addition to the breath-related pain.

In the case of complaints of the muscles, nerves or joints of the upper body, the pain can also occur during movements. This is especially the case if, for example, the right shoulder or the spine is the starting point of the pain. In the case of causes such as cardiac arrhythmia or other heart diseases, complaints such as a reduction in performance, diminished physical performance, occasionally also pressure on the chest or a stabbing in the chest are additional symptoms.

Back pain usually occurs due to muscular imbalances. Muscular tensions often occur. These can also affect the mobility of the chest. When breathing in, the rib cage moves, which is why back pain can occur depending on the breathing.Occasionally, back pain leads to irritation of nerve fibers exiting the spinal cord. If nerve fibres associated with the thorax are affected, nerve pain can also be triggered by the movement of the thorax during inhalation.