Symptoms

The burning sensation can come directly from the lungs, or more superficially from the muscle layers responsible for breathing. Sometimes a pulling sensation is added to the burning, which can also turn into a feeling of pressure. Many symptoms are possible in this area, which, depending on the cause, can spread to the chest area.

In addition to the burning sensation, a tightness in the chest area can also occur, which can cause panic and anxiety in those affected, and can also lead to sweating and increased pulse and breathing difficulties. The pain in the chest is often preceded by a coughing attack. If it is a bronchitis, a general feeling of discomfort is added.

This often includes fever and tiredness. As part of the throat, or more precisely the windpipe, is an important part of the respiratory tract (respiratory tract), diseases in this area, especially colds, can also cause a sore throat or burning sensation in the throat. Many patients also complain of hoarseness or a dry throat.

In some cases, however, a scratchy or hoarse throat can also indicate lung cancer. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, a doctor should be consulted urgently. Coughing in combination with burning sensation in the lungs may indicate pneumonia, but also acute bronchitis.

But also a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in short: COPD, can be the cause. An important indication of this disease is also the sputum. This means that affected persons cough up and spit out sputum and mucus, often in large quantities.

COPD is mainly caused by smoking, but pollutants inhaled at work, for example, can also cause this disease. However, heredity or infections can also be the underlying causes. In COPD, the mucous membrane of the lungs is severely damaged.

In addition, many bronchi collapse. This means that less oxygen can be absorbed into the body and then leads to respiratory distress. There are 4 different stages of the disease.

There are numerous drugs that can stop the progression of the disease and/or relieve the symptoms. A cure for the disease is not possible. and COPD in the final stageIf the lungs burn when breathing, it may well be pneumonia.

In addition, COPD as an underlying disease is also possible. However, the lungs can also burn as a result of excessive tobacco consumption. This can also be an indication that the cigarettes used are too strong.

Respiratory ciliated epithelium is also found in the windpipe (trachea), this is the name given to the mucous membrane that lines the respiratory tract. Normally, very fine cilia ensure that pollutants can be breathed out by moving towards the nose. If they are defective, for example due to smoking, they can cause deposits and increased mucus production in the respiratory tract, which can also make breathing difficult.

Pneumothorax can also lead to burning in the lungs when breathing, since inhalation causes the lungs to become increasingly compressed and the air that enters the pleural gap cannot escape. If the air is too cold when you breathe it in directly through the mouth during exertion, it can also lead to burning in the lungs. If the air passes through the nose, it can not only be filtered and humidified, but is also warmed by the many vessels in the nose.

If a burning sensation suddenly occurs during inhalation, this can have numerous causes. Perhaps it is due to something that was previously eaten or drunk, or perhaps a slight injury to the oesophagus has formed – for example due to a hard edge of bread. In most cases the cause is then more likely to be in the oesophagus than in the lungs.

A feeling of tightness during inhalation, which may also be associated with a noise during inhalation, may indicate a partial obstruction of the airways, for example by a nut or a part of a nut that has accidentally entered the windpipe. This is usually accompanied by a severe irritation of the throat. In this case, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.

Swelling, tumours or infections in the area of the respiratory tract can also lead to a noise when inhaled and possibly to a burning sensation. The feeling of a burning sensation in the area of the lungs during or after sport can have several causes. If you are an inexperienced athlete, the lungs can cause a burning sensation when you exert yourself more than usual, i.e. when the lungs are under more strain than usual.

Occasionally, an unaccustomed cold stimulus during sport (e.g. jogging at sub-zero temperatures) can also cause a burning sensation. If this burning sensation means that physical activity has to be stopped again and again quickly, a presentation to the doctor can be helpful. The general practitioner can then decide whether an appointment with a lung specialist (pulmonologist) is advisable to carry out certain lung function tests.

If the lung burns during exercise, this can be an indication of the above-mentioned diseases, but it can also simply be an indication that you are not trained enough. The body then needs more oxygen than can be “delivered”. The bronchial tubes of those people usually have to work with less air and are simply overstrained.

These symptoms often occur in people who have not done any or little sport for a long time and then demand too much from themselves too quickly. As already mentioned, the lungs, especially the bronchi, often cannot cope with too much air during exertion. They are overstrained and this is how the corresponding symptoms occur.

The same rule applies here: especially when the air is cold, you should try to breathe it in through your nose. Mostly this is neglected especially under exertion, which can additionally lead to burning. Sudden onset of shortness of breath with a burning sensation can be caused by a disease of the respiratory tract or lungs, for example bronchial asthma, worsening of COPD, pneumonia, spontaneous pneumothorax or pulmonary embolism.

Diseases of the heart, such as a heart attack, can also be responsible. Finally, a hyperventilation syndrome, a comparatively harmless, psychologically induced shortness of breath due to stress or anxiety reactions can also be responsible for the symptoms. In the case of a lung disease, the rib and diaphragm muscles can be severely strained by strained breathing and cause painful cramps in the back.

The irritation of the lungs in pneumonia can also radiate into the back. Back pain is feared as a possible sign of spreading of cancer of the lungs. However, since back pain is very common, the presence of these two symptoms does not necessarily prove lung cancer. To be on the safe side, patients can consult a doctor who can get to the bottom of the causes through physical examination and diagnostic measures.