Infection, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax or myocardial infarction can cause sharp pain when breathing.
Some people experience chest or flank pain when they breathe in. The pain can occur with deep or shallow breathing, while resting or active. Some people also experience pain that radiates throughout the chest, back, or in a specific area of the ribs. The pain can be sharp, uncomfortable, and even cause sudden interruptions in breathing.
According to Dr. Boka, MD, McGovern Medical School, USA, factors that irritate the lining of the lungs can make a person feel pain when breathing. Below are some of the different causes of this type of irritation.
Infection
Viral infections are a common cause. Infections that can irritate the lungs include influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). The common cold virus can also cause pneumonia and make it painful to breathe. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for these viruses.
Less common viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and parainfluenza virus can also cause pleuritic pain. Tuberculosis and bacterial or viral pneumonia sometimes cause stabbing chest pain. These conditions are usually treated with medication.
Sharp pain when breathing can be caused by an infection that irritates the lungs. Photo: Freepik
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage of an artery in the lung caused by a blood clot that has traveled from somewhere else into the circulatory system. Most cases of pulmonary embolism occur when a blood clot forms in a deep vein.
Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening because large blood clots can block the flow of oxygen to the body. Warning signs of this condition include: fever, coughing up blood, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sudden chest pain, pain when breathing in... People suspected of having a pulmonary embolism should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks from the lung into the chest cavity, commonly referred to as a “collapsed lung.” This can cause air bubbles to form in the skin around the neck, upper chest, and back, and can cause pain. In severe cases, pneumothorax can cause a drop in blood pressure and cause the heart to stop.
Smoking increases the risk of pneumothorax. Symptoms depend on the extent of the collapse and may include chest pain that radiates to the shoulder or back, then turns into a constant ache; shortness of breath (mild to severe); rapid heart rate... This condition can be life-threatening. Treatment usually involves removing the air that has accumulated in the chest.
In addition to some factors that cause pain when breathing as above, other pains of unknown origin also need to be examined early. People with severe chest pain, if accompanied by difficulty breathing or symptoms such as cough lasting more than a week, coughing up blood, high fever, severe chest pain, confusion... need medical intervention.
Bao Bao (According to Livestrong )
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