There are also distinct symptoms and different treatment options for each condition that may cause back pain when breathing.
Surgery may also be needed to remove the clot.
Panic Attack or Heart Attack?
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Apanic attackand a heart attack can cause very similar symptoms.
Both can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a feeling of fear.
If you experience chest pain, seek immediate medical care.
A heart attack is a medical emergency.
The condition is calledatelectasisif only a small portion of the lung is affected.
If more of the lung is affected, it is called a pneumothorax.
In contrast, a pneumothorax develops when air leaves the lungs and fills the space outside of the lungs.
This buildup of air puts pressure on the lungs and makes breathing harder.
A pneumothorax requires prompt medical attention.
Treatment:Atelectasis treatment focuses on treating underlying causes and re-expanding the lung.
Sometimes, a small pneumothorax will improve on its own without treatment.
Other times, procedures such as a chest tube or surgery are necessary.
Scoliosis
Scoliosisis a disorder that causes an abnormal curvature of the spine.
For more severe cases, surgery may be needed to realign the spine.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is an overly rounded upper back.
There are several types, including postural kyphosis,Scheuermann’s kyphosis, and congenital kyphosis.
Postural kyphosis is the most common and occurs more frequently in females than males.
It is not associated with structural abnormalities of the spine.
Scheuermann’s kyphosis typically presents in the teen years, and congenital kyphosis presents at birth.
Treatment:Individuals withpostural kyphosiscan straighten their spine by focusing on posture.
Bruised or Broken Ribs
Abruised or broken ribcan occur with falls or traumatic injuries.
Symptoms involve pain in the chest and/or back, depending on what part of your ribs was affected.
Pain worsens with deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, and activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure.
Lung pain from an injured rib can radiate to the back.
Fractured Vertebrae
Falls and traumatic injuries can cause fractures of the vertebrae of the spine.
People withosteoporosisare more prone tovertebral fractures, even without significant injury, due to decreased bone strength.
This disc material pushes out of the spinal column and can compress nearby nerve roots.
Increased pressure from breathing can worsen symptoms.
Treatment:Physical therapy is used, and potentiallysurgeryif symptoms are chronic and/or severe are the main treatments.
Asthma and Chronic Coughing
Asthma and chronic coughing can cause back pain when breathing.
Some individuals withasthmaalso experience a chronic cough that can lead to muscle strain and pain with deep breaths.
However, it isn’t always practical to avoid all triggers.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that causes reduced airflow.
It is most common in individuals who smoke tobacco products.
Its main symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, sputum production, and back pain.
Treatment:COPD is a progressive condition with several stages.
Treatment depends on the stage of the illness.
Typically, smoking cessation is the first line of treatment.
Medications, pulmonary rehab classes, and oxygen therapy are common treatments.
Individuals with moresevere COPDmay require surgery or, eventually, end-of-life care.
Pleurisy
Pleurisyresults from inflammation of thepleura, the thin membrane surrounding the lungs and the chest cavity.
Pneumonia
Pneumoniais an infection that causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs.
Chest, back, or abdominal pain with breathing or coughing are typical symptoms.
Treatment:If a bacterial infection is the cause, antibiotics are given.
Severe cases of pneumonia may require hospitalization.
Obesity
Obesity can cause breathing problems.
Medication can be helpful if excess weight is linked to a hormonal condition.
Because intercostal nerves run along the ribs, it can cause back pain with breathing.
Neuralgic pain may feel like burning, shooting, or pins and needles.
The most common cause of intercostal neuralgia is post-hepatic neuralgia after aherpes zoster virusinfection (shingles).
Treatment:The condition is challenging to treat, and patients can try several treatment options.
Procedures to treat the condition include neurectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation.
Treatment:Strained muscles tend to heal on their own over time with rest and conservative home treatment.
Physical therapy may be recommended to help facilitate recovery.
If you experience other concerning symptoms along with your back pain, you should see your healthcare provider immediately.
These include:
Summary
Back pain that worsens with breathing can result from various conditions.
Other times, pain can result from causes such as a pulmonary embolism or heart attack.
Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause of your back pain.
2020 Apr 20;26(2):65-71. doi: 10.5761/atcs.ra.19-00158.
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