Localizations

Lower back pain when breathing can have various causes. In the lower back, changes in the locomotor system are often responsible for the complaints. For example, it can be a herniated disc, an irritated nerve or a fracture of the vertebral body.

Even more often, the cause lies in the muscular area. The lower back is exposed to high physical strain every day. Accordingly, tension often occurs there.

Since the chest and abdomen are moved a lot, especially during deep breathing movements, the muscle strands in the lower back also stretch. Tension or irritated nerves in this area can then cause pain. Internal organs can also cause lower back pain, such as the kidneys and the urinary tract and the internal sexual organs.

Persistent complaints should therefore be clarified by a doctor. Back pain in the middle of the back when breathing can have various causes. Here, too, the cause is often in the musculoskeletal system, as many people develop problems in the back area due to chronic lack of exercise and predominantly sedentary activities.

Muscular tension, blocked vertebrae and irritated nerves are the result and can cause breath-related pain in the middle back. Inflammation of the lungs and pleura also often leads to breath-dependent pain in the middle back. The lung expands during inhalation and contracts again during exhalation.

These movements often cause pain when infected. Typically, in this case, inhalation is more painful than exhalation. Injuries to the ribs or vertebral bodies can also cause pain when breathing in this area.

Especially in the case of external force, for example in a fall or accident, rib contusions or fractures should be considered. Intercostal neuralgia is also more frequent in the middle back. Here, an intercostal nerve is irritated and causes stabbing pain.

These can sometimes be triggered by breathing movements and typically run in a belt-like pattern around one side of the upper body. Breath-related pain in the upper back can also have various causes. Here too, the cause is often in the musculoskeletal system.

Tension is a common cause, especially in the shoulder region. There are also vertebral blockages and trapped nerves, which can be the cause of breath-dependent pain. Herniated discs in the cervical spine region can also cause such complaints, although the pain then occurs less frequently depending on breathing.

However, infections and inflammation of the lungs and pleura typically cause back pain (especially when breathing in). These can also be specifically localized in the upper back. In the case of flu-like infections that are accompanied by a severe cough, pain in the upper back can also be caused by overstraining the chest muscles.

Last but not least, pain in the upper back can also be caused by injuries to ribs or vertebral bodies. Nerves run under the ribs, which have their origin in the spinal column. In intercostal neuralgia, these nerves are irritated.

One reason may be age-related changes in the spine or an injury. By stretching the thorax when breathing, these nerves are irritated and pain is triggered. Inflammation of the pleura also causes pain when breathing.

They often start out as pneumonia. Those affected usually have shallow breathing.Here, too, breathing pain is often caused by the holding apparatus. Incorrect postures and strains are very common.

Not infrequently, intercostal neuralgia is also the cause of the pain. Age-related wear and tear of the spine, for example, can irritate nerves that run from the spine along the ribs. This leads to pain that can radiate into the shoulder blade.

More rarely, the cause is in the lungs themselves. In addition to possible widespread muscular pain or nerve entrapment, breath-related pain that extends into the abdomen can also have other causes. On the one hand, pleurisy can lead to pain in the Oberbach.

The spleen, which is located in the left upper abdomen, can also lead to breath-dependent pain – e.g. as part of a splenic infarction or a splenic abscess. An abscess is a cavity of pus. In a splenic infarction, splenic tissue perishes due to a vascular occlusion.

Both cases are rare, but cause pain in the spleen. Chest pain due to a myocardial infarction is usually not respiratory but can lead to shortness of breath. Particularly in women, the pain can sometimes be localized in the upper abdomen in the event of a heart attack.