Back pain during breathing is usually related to a problem that affects the lungs or lining of the organ, called a pleura. The most common cases are flu and colds, but pain can also occur during more severe lung changes, such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism, for example.
Although less common, pain can also be a sign of problems elsewhere, from muscles to the heart, but in these situations it is usually associated with other symptoms that not only involve breathing.
- In any case.
- The best option whenever this type of pain occurs.
- Especially if it lasts more than 3 days or if it is very intense.
- Is to consult a pneumologist or family doctor.
- To do diagnostic tests.
- Such as x-rays.
- Identifying the possible cause and initiating the most appropriate treatment.
Therefore, the most common causes of back pain when breathing include:
Flu and colds are very common health problems caused by the entry of viruses into the body, which cause symptoms such as runny, cough, excessive fatigue and even fever. However, although less common, flu and colds can also cause back pain during breathing, usually related to the accumulation of airway secretions or fatigue of the respiratory muscles due to the act of coughing.
What to do: Influenza and cold viruses are naturally eliminated by the immune system itself after a few days. It is therefore preferable to take measures to help strengthen the body’s defenses and recover more quickly, such as maintaining rest and consuming plenty of fluids during the day. Discover 7 easy tips for making at home and eliminating the flu faster.
Muscle fatigue is another cause of mild and relatively common pain during breathing. This condition occurs when muscle fibers undergo small ruptures and, as a result, are painful for 2 to 3 days. This can happen when you make more effort with your back muscles, which can happen when you have poor posture during the day, exercise in the gym, or just cough too hard during a flu or cold.
What to do: The best way to treat muscle fatigue is rest, as it prevents the use of injured muscle fibers. In addition, applying a cold compress to the site for the first 48 hours, 3 to 4 times a day, can also help relieve pain. Learn more about muscle tension and what to do.
The cost-chondrita is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the sternum bone to the ribs. This condition usually causes severe chest pain, which can eventually radiate backwards, especially during deep breathing. In addition to pain, the costcount can also cause shortness of breath and pain when pressing on the sternum.
What to do: Generally, the pain caused by the costcountite improves with the application of hot compresses in the sternum area, in addition to resting and avoiding excessive exertion. However, when the pain is very severe or hinders the performance of daily activities, it is advisable to consult an orthopedic surgeon or family doctor, to assess the need to start treatment with medicines, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Learn more about this condition and its treatment.
Although most of the time, back pain when breathing is just a flu or cold symptom, there are also situations where the pain gets worse and may indicate a slightly more severe infection, such as pneumonia.
In these cases, in addition to pain, cough and nasal discharge, which are common with flu and colds, other signs and symptoms may also occur, such as severe breathing difficulty, fever above 38 degrees C, and green or bloody snot, for example. Here’s how to identify a pneumonia situation.
What to do: In case of suspected pneumonia, it is always very important to consult a doctor, diagnose the problem and start the most appropriate treatment, which may include the use of antibiotics. However, because pneumonia can be quite contagious, especially if it is caused by a virus, it is recommended, if possible, to put on a mask when leaving home.
Although rarer, pulmonary embolism is another problem that can cause severe back pain during breathing. This condition occurs when a clot blocks one of the pulmonary vessels, preventing blood from passing through certain parts of the lung. When this happens, in addition to pain, symptoms such as severe shortness of breath, coughing with blood and bluish skin, for example, are common.
Embolism can occur in anyone, but it is more common in people with a history of thrombosis, who have clotting problems, who are overweight or who have a very sedentary lifestyle.
What to do: Since this is a very serious situation, provided there is a sign of pulmonary embolism, it is recommended to go to the emergency room as soon as possible, to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment, which is usually started with the use of medicines that help destroy the clot, such as heparin. To better understand what embolism is, what symptoms are, and how to treat it.
Pleurisy, or pleurisy, is another condition that can cause severe back pain during breathing and occurs when a type of fluid builds up between the two layers of the pleura, which is the membrane that lines the lungs. When this happens, the lip swells and the pain tends to get worse when you breathe deeply or cough. Other symptoms include a very common cough, shortness of breath and a persistent low fever.
Although not considered a serious illness, pleurisy can be an important sign, as it usually occurs in people who have another respiratory problem and may mean that treatment of this problem has no effect.
What to do: Suspected pleurisy should always be evaluated by a doctor, so it is recommended to go to the hospital. Treatment most often begins with an anti-inflammatory to relieve inflammation of the pleura and improve symptoms, but your doctor must also identify the cause of pleurisy. Learn more about pleurisy, how to identify and treat it.
Back pain during breathing is almost always related to a lung problem, but it can also occur in certain heart problems, such as pericarditis. Pericarditis is inflammation of the membrane that lines the heart muscle, the pericardium, which, in addition to severe chest pain, can also cause severe pain that radiates to the back, especially when trying to breathe deeply.
Pericarditis is more common in people who have some type of infection or inflammation elsewhere in the body, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or even cavities. See in more detail how to identify a pericarditis situation.
What to do: Pericarditis treatment can be relatively easy, especially when the problem is identified at an early stage. For example, if a heart problem is suspected, it is advisable to consult a cardiologist to assess symptoms, as well as medical history, upon diagnosis and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Although the most common symptom of a heart attack is the onset of very severe and oppressive chest pain, there are also cases where pain begins with mild back discomfort that worsens when breathing. Other symptoms that may be associated include tingling in an arm, usually in the left, nausea and general discomfort, as well as shortness of breath.
Although myocardial infarction is relatively rare, it is an increasingly common situation, especially for those with certain risk factors, such as an unbalanced diet, being a smoker, living under constant stress, or having a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol.
What to do: Whenever a heart attack is suspected, it is very important to get to the hospital quickly, because the sooner you are diagnosed, the more likely you are to treat the problem and prevent complications. Learn more about recognizing a possible heart attack.