Lung pain
definition
Everyone has two lungs, one on the right and one on the left of the chest. As a vital organ, the lungs ensure gas exchange in the human blood through breathing and enable the organs to be supplied with oxygen.
Various diseases can cause pain in the lungs. These diseases can be harmless in nature, for example in the case of flu-like infections, or they can represent more serious clinical pictures that require rapid therapy. There are also some chronic lung diseases that can cause pain, such as asthma or COPD. Persistent complaints should lead to a medical examination so that the cause of the lung pain can be found and treated appropriately.
What actually hurts in the lungs?
The lung tissue itself is not sensitive to pain. Instead, the lung membrane that covers the lungs is equipped with sensitive nerve fibers. If lung pain occurs with a flu-like infection, this indicates involvement and inflammation of the lung membrane. Other pains associated with colds are mostly caused by a strong cough. Coughing puts a strain on the chest and abdominal muscles and irritates both the muscles and the rest of the structure of the chest. This can lead to chest pain with infections. The pain usually subsides as the cold subsides and the urge to cough subsides.
Please also read: Painful breathing
causes
The possible causes of lung pain are many. Most commonly, lung pain accompanies a cold, especially if the sick person has a strong cough. Coughing stresses the chest muscles, which can then hurt over time. As a result, asthmatics can experience lung pain at times if they have to cough heavily for a while. The chest pain is perceived as lung pain, although it does not actually come directly from the lungs themselves, as they are insensitive to pain.
A strong flu-like infection can lodge deep in the airways and cause pneumonia. In addition, it can extend to the pleura - the lung membrane - spread out. This in turn is sensitive to pain and is responsible for a large part of lung pain. Inflammation of the pleura is known as pleurisy. When the cold symptoms subside, the pain usually also goes away.
Lung pain also occurs with more serious illnesses. For example with a pneumothorax. Air gets into the gap between the pleura and pleura, where there is normally a negative pressure. When this negative pressure is removed, the affected lung collapses. The patient suddenly feels severe pain and shortness of breath. For example, the air can enter the pleural space from the outside through an injury (for example in the event of accidents or knife wounds) or get into the gap due to the bursting of small bubbles on the surface of the lung. A pneumothorax must be treated quickly by drainage relief.
Pulmonary embolism is another cause of lung pain. The pulmonary arteries are blocked by a blood clot, which is usually flushed from the deep leg veins into the lungs. The pain in the lungs is typically felt especially when breathing in. Since numerous other diseases can also cause lung pain, a medical examination is recommended.
Lung pain in smokers
Smokers are more likely to experience pain in the lungs. There are several reasons for this.
The pollutants contained in cigarettes lead to chronic inflammation in the airways in the long term. In some smokers this leads to chronic bronchitis or COPD (English: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cough is a typical symptom of chronic bronchitis in smokers. The frequent coughing puts a lot of strain on the chest and can be painful.
Please also read: Smoker's cough
Due to the inflammatory changes in the airways, smokers suffer from infections more often, as pathogens can settle and multiply in their airways better. Lung pain in smokers can sometimes indicate complications from their cigarette consumption.
Lung function diagnostics can provide information on how badly the smoker's lungs have already been affected. COPD is an incurable disease, the symptoms of which can only be alleviated with medication.
Read more on the topic: Consequences of smoking
Lung pain from tension
Tension is a very common cause of chest pain. There are numerous so-called "intercostal muscles" between the ribs, which are prone to tension. They are also referred to as "auxiliary breathing muscles" because they support breathing by stretching and straightening the chest during stress and strained breathing.
Tense muscles between the ribs can cause uncomfortable chest pain when moving and breathing deeply. However, this is a harmless phenomenon that has no connection with diseases of the organs of the chest. If the pain does not subside after a few days and persists for weeks, a doctor must clarify the exact cause.
Lung pain due to (pollen) allergy
Lung pain is not a typical symptom of an allergy, but it can be caused indirectly by allergic reactions.
People allergic to pollen feel allergy symptoms outside, especially in spring and summer. The eyes are watery and itchy, the nose is runny, there is a cough. The severity of the symptoms varies greatly from person to person.
In particular, people who react to the triggering allergens with a strong cough sometimes develop accompanying pain in the area of the lungs.
Read more about this at: pollen allergy
These are rather than indirectly allergy-related Assess pain, as it is caused by overuse of the chest and abdominal muscles during coughing fits. Muscles, like any other muscle in the body, can become sore and irritated. Further coughing is then painful and mere movements of the upper body or breathing can be uncomfortable. When avoiding the allergenic substance and taking asthma medication or antiallergic drugs, the urge to cough and thus also the pain in the lungs should decrease.
Please also read: Sore throat with an allergy
Lung pain when breathing
Lung pain when you breathe can have a number of different causes. Often it is not the lungs themselves that are the origin of the symptoms, but rather a pinched or irritated intercostal nerve that causes pain when breathing. These are not always easy to differentiate from lung pain. In such a case, one speaks of intercostal neuralgia.
Also read: Painful breathing
Otherwise, pain when breathing can occur in the case of a flu-like infection that leads to inflammation of the pleurapleurisy) has led. The pleura, i.e. the pleura, is very sensitive to pain and can cause severe discomfort if it is inflamed. Every time you breathe, the inflamed lung rubs along the pleura. This triggers the pain.
But even with a simple flu-like infection, breathing can become uncomfortable if there is a strong urge to cough. Coughing stresses the muscles in the chest, which can be irritated and painful when breathing. In addition, there are uncomfortable tension, which is promoted by coughing and poor posture.
Sharp pain in the lungs, especially when inhaling, should also make you think of another disease, the pulmonary embolism.
This leads to a blockage of the pulmonary arteries, usually due to a blood clot that has loosened from the deep leg veins and washed into the lungs.
Pulmonary embolism should be considered especially in patients who have previously traveled by plane or who have been immobile for a long time for other reasons (Broken bones, illness with bed rest, ...), Patients with a history of thrombosis or malignant diseases and in patients with coagulation disorders.
Please also read: Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms
Lung pain in the back
Lung pain in the back often occurs with flu-like infections with a strong cough, as the cough puts a lot of strain on the muscles, bones and nerves in the chest area.
In addition, inflammation of the lung membrane (pleurisy) Cause back pain.
However, it is not always pain that is actually caused by the lungs that causes back pain.
However, a problem in the musculoskeletal system should always be considered, for example:
- Herniated discs
Read about this: Recognizing a slipped disc - these are the symptoms - muscular tension,
- Narrowing of the spinal canal,
- dislocated vertebrae
- or pinched nerves.
A definitive diagnosis can only be made by a doctor, so if symptoms persist, a thorough medical evaluation should be carried out.
Please also read our page: Pain in the back when breathing
Lung pain when coughing
Lung pain when coughing is a common symptom of the common cold. The bronchi are irritated by the constant urge to cough, as are the muscles in the chest and stomach area.
The structures of the chest become irritated. If you then cough again, this causes uncomfortable pain.
Asthmatics and COPD patients can also experience pain when coughing, as these patient groups also often suffer from coughs and accordingly put a lot of strain on their muscles in the corresponding area.
If the respective underlying disease is treated so that the urge to cough is reduced, the lung pain usually also subsides promptly.
Read more about this at: Pain when coughing
Lung pain after exercise / jogging
Pain in the lungs after exercise or jogging is relatively common.
They usually occur in inexperienced runners whose respiratory muscles are not yet used to the increasing strain.
When exercising or jogging, the breathing rate increases because the increased amount of carbon dioxide accumulating in the body is exhaled and new oxygen has to be absorbed.
The extensive breathing movements lead to increased stress on the chest muscles and to a greater expansion of the bronchi in the breathing process.
Experienced athletes are used to the strain and usually feel no pain after exercising. However, beginners can develop a kind of sore muscles in their respiratory muscles, which can be very uncomfortable after the exercise. It is therefore advisable to increase the load slowly in order to give the body an opportunity to get used to the new strain.
However, pain in the lungs after exercise can also have other causes. Therefore, a doctor should be examined if the pain is very severe or persists for a long time.
Lung pain on exertion
Chest pain during exertion can be attributed to various harmless or threatening diseases.
In most cases, harmless pain in the rib muscles or rib bones is behind the pain. In the case of tension, strains or bruises in these structures, severe pain can occur through exertion, increased breathing and the increased use of the auxiliary respiratory muscles. More rarely, however, chest pain with exertion can indicate structural disorders of the heart or lungs. Circulatory disorders in the heart can manifest themselves as chest pain, especially during exercise. Lung diseases such as pleurisy are seldom the cause of stress-related chest pain.
Lung pain with a cold
Lung pain associated with a cold is very common and usually not a cause for particular concern.
A cold is often accompanied by a cough, which stresses and irritates the airways and the respiratory muscles.
The chest can hurt uncomfortably up to the back as a result of the cold. In addition, a cold can spread to the deep respiratory tract and cause pneumonia. In addition, it can lead to inflammation of the lungs (pleurisy) come. Since the lung membrane is provided with many nerve fibers, pleurisy is very painful. The lungs rub against the pleura and cause pain with every breathing movement.
By giving suitable medication, the pain can usually be relieved and the disease can heal. As the cold symptoms subside, the lung pain should also subside.
diagnosis
A diagnosis of lung pain can usually be easily made through a detailed discussion and physical examination by a doctor. First of all, it is important that the symptoms and their occurrence are described in detail to the doctor, as this gives the doctor important information about the underlying disease. The doctor will then do a physical exam, particularly listening and tapping the lungs to see if you have bronchitis, pneumonia, or pleurisy, for example. In most cases, a diagnosis can already be made through these measures. If this is not the case, further examinations can be arranged, for example a blood sample, a lung function examination or an ultrasound examination. Persistent lung pain should always give reason to have a medical examination carried out, as this is the only way to find the cause and initiate adequate therapy.
Concomitant symptoms
Lung pain can be accompanied by a variety of accompanying symptoms, depending on what is causing the lung pain.
Since lung pain is particularly often associated with flu-like infections, accompanying symptoms can, for example
- To cough,
- Sniff,
- Sore throat,
- fever
- and be chills.
For example, allergy sufferers or asthmatics can experience difficulty breathing, red and itchy eyes and a runny nose.
Lung pain and cough
Very often, pain in the lungs is caused by a strong cough.
In the case of flu-like infections, coughing occurs very often because the body wants to remove the pathogens from the lungs and airways. Allergy sufferers also often suffer from coughs, as in this case the body wants to remove the allergen recognized as foreign from the airways.
The coughing is a strenuous process for the organism, as many muscles have to work to trigger the coughing process. This muscular strain can lead to irritation of the muscles and the other structures that make up the chest.
In addition, the airways themselves are irritated by the cough. All of this together can be painful for the patient. When the cough subsides, the lung pain usually disappears on its own after a few days.
Read more about this at: Pain when coughing
Treatment / therapy
The lung pain itself usually does not require any special therapy, as it is only an accompanying symptom of various underlying diseases.
Influenza infections usually heal on their own and the pain then also subsides. However, if the pain is very severe, pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be taken temporarily.
In the case of pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs, it may be necessary to take antibiotics. If this reduces the underlying disease, the lung pain should also go away.
In the case of asthmatics, the treatment of the underlying disease is also in the foreground. Various asthma sprays are available to stop asthma attacks early. This avoids coughing and prevents lung pain in the first place. It is therefore essential that in the case of lung pain, the cause of the symptoms must be treated. If this does not lead to adequate pain relief early on, conventional painkillers can provide relief.
Home remedies for lung pain
Since lung pain occurs particularly frequently in connection with colds, home remedies are often used to alleviate cold symptoms.
The thyme tea is particularly well-known. Thyme has an expectorant effect and makes it easier to expectorate with flu-like infections. It also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial effects.
The onion is also known for its expectorant effect. Mixed with honey, it can be taken for colds.
Inhalation is also a popular home remedy for lung pain. To do this, chamomile, eucalyptus or thyme extract is added to hot water. The whole thing is poured into a bowl, over which the person concerned then holds his face. The head is covered with a towel so that the water vapor does not escape and can be inhaled deeply. The steam moistens the mucous membranes and, thanks to the respective additives, has a relaxing, disinfecting and expectorant effect on the bronchi. This can be very beneficial for lung pain.
In addition, you should always ensure that you drink enough water so that mucus in the airways can be coughed up better. If the urge to cough is reduced by these measures, the lung pain also quickly and noticeably subside.
Read more about this at: Home remedies for a cold
Duration
The duration of lung pain depends largely on the underlying cause.
Since lung pain usually occurs as part of a flu-like infection with coughing, it usually does not last much longer than the infection itself. The symptoms should have decreased significantly within one to two weeks.
The same applies to pulmonary inflammation that is adequately treated. The symptoms should subside within a few days. Persistent or worsening symptoms should prompt you to consult your doctor again.
forecast
The prognosis for lung pain is very good, as it is mostly due to diseases that can be treated well.
If the symptoms do not subside quickly enough, they can usually be managed well with conventional painkillers. The affected person should be free of pain again within a few days to a few weeks.
Lung Pain During Pregnancy
Pain in the lung area during pregnancy is usually not directly related to it, but can be traced back to other causes.
Lung pain in pregnant women - as in non-pregnant women - can be attributed to flu-like infections with coughing, muscle tension or asthma. In addition, pregnant women can develop a pulmonary embolism, especially if they do not move enough and thus suffer from leg vein thrombosis.
Since lung pain can therefore have serious causes, an early medical diagnosis should be carried out in order to be able to initiate suitable therapy. In this way complications for the pregnant woman and her unborn child can be avoided.
Please also read: Common cold during pregnancy
Which doctor will take care of lung pain?
In the event of pain in the lungs, the first recommended contact point is the family doctor.
This can determine the typical causes of lung pain and usually initiate adequate treatment on its own.
If further special examinations are necessary, the family doctor can refer the patient to a lung specialist or to another specialty.
For lung pain that is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath and fever, a pulmonologist, a so-called one, is otherwise Pulmonologist, responsible.
He is very familiar with the various lung diseases and can take on the further care of the patient, especially in the case of a chronic lung patient.
