The causes of lung pain are many.
This article explores 32 possible causes of lung pain, including how they are diagnosed and treated.
It also explains when it is time to seek immediate treatment from a healthcare provider or emergency department.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Pulmonary Issues
Pulmonary issues are those involving the lungs.
Asthma and COPD are both treated withrescue inhalerswhich kick off the airways and improve breathing during attacks.
These include:
All of these can cause lung pain and tightness.
Antibioticsmay be prescribed for bacterial pneumonia.
Viral lung infections may benefit fromantiviral drugsor may only require the management of symptoms.
Intravenous antibiotics (delivered into a vein) may be needed for a lung abscess.
The chest pain is generally very sharp.
Some people describe it as feeling like you’re having a heart attack.
Anticoagulants(blood thinners) are the most common treatment for a blood clot in the lungs.
In severe cases, a surgery called athrombectomyorembolectomymay be used to remove the clot.
Pain is the central feature of pleuritis, which generally feels sharp and increases with deep breaths.
There may also be generalized chest tightness.
There are many health conditions that can trigger pleuritis, including autoimmune diseases likelupusandrheumatoid arthritis.
Bacterial or viral infections of the lung can do the same.
Pain relief is central to the treatment of pleuritis until the underlying case is resolved.
This typically involves anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)likeAdvil (ibuprofen).
Severe cases may benefit from using a stronger pain reliever likeTylenol 3 (acetaminophen with codeine).
It is often recognized by crackling lung sounds and popping sensations known ascrepitus.
Pneumothorax can occur for many different reasons.
Chest trauma can also cause pneumothorax.
The treatment of pneumothorax may involve removing excess air from the chest cavity with a needle or catheter.
Surgery may be needed to repair leaks or burst air blisters.
Wheezing, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), and weight loss are also common.
Muscle Pain
Chest muscle pain can feel like it’s coming from the lungs.
The underlying cause could be the result of costochondritis, fibromyalgia, or an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis.
Costochondritis more often affects the left side of the sternum.
The pain tends to get worse with movement, coughing, sneezing, and when taking a deep breath.
There may also be chest pressure and radiating pain to the arms or shoulders.
The treatment for costochondritis can vary based on the underlying cause.
To manage pain, NSAIDs likeAdvil or Aleveare typically prescribed.
A heating pad on the chest may also provide relief.
The pain tends to be persistent but can get worse and ease off.
The prescription drugsCymbalta (duloxetine)andSavella (milnacipran)may help ease fibromyalgia pain and fatigue.
It is a medical emergency that can be recognized by sudden and severe chest and back pain.
People often describe it as feeling like something is ripping inside of your chest.
Aortic dissections are thought to be sparked by an underlying weakness of the aorta that may be inherited.
Persistent high blood pressure can also weaken the aorta in susceptible people, causing a tear.
Pericarditis
Pericarditisrefers to inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart (called thepericardium).
It can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse while inhaling or coughing.
The pain is usually eased by sitting up and leaning forward.
NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or a drug calledColcrys (colchicine)may be used to reduce heart inflammation.
A heart attack is caused when acoronary arteryin the heart is blocked.
The chest pressure can be extreme and is often described as feeling like someone is standing on your chest.
The pain and pressure (in the center or left side of the chest) get worse with exertion.
Conditions affecting the esophagus, like GERD and esophagitis, can cause pain perceived to originate in the lungs.
In severe cases, a surgery calledfundoplicationcan tighten the LES to prevent the backflow of stomach acid.
Esophagitis
Esophagitisis the inflammation of the esophagus.
People will often describe the sensation of having something stuck in their throat.
There may also be a cough, sore throat, and hoarseness.
The treatment differs by the esophagitis punch in.
It may involve GERD medications to ease acid reflux or antibiotics to clear infections.
Chest pain can also bereferred, meaning that the pain might arise from a pinched nerve in the spine.
The pain might also be purely neurological (nerve-related) or psychological.
A specialist in digestive diseases (gastroenterologist) or heart diseases (cardiologist) may also be needed.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of lung pain begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination.
Noting your coloring is also an important step.
They will then listen carefully to your lungs and heart sounds with a stethoscope.
Alberta Health Services (Canada).COPD and asthma.
Kradin RL.Pulmonary infection.Understanding Pulmon Pathol.2017:157242. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801304-5.00009-5
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Venous thromboembolism.
American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
Reamy BV, Williams PM, Odom MR.Pleuritic chest pain: sorting through the differential diagnosis.Am Fam Physician.
2017;96(5):306-12.
National Health Service (UK).Pleurisy.
Choi WI.Pneumothorax.Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul).2014;76(3):99-104. doi:10.4046/trd.2014.76.3.99.
doi:10.21037/jtd.2016.05.51
Lin K, Tung C.Integrating acupuncture for the management of costochondritis in adolescents.Med Acupunct.
2018;10(5-6):12939. doi:10.1177/1759720X18773726
MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.
2017;23(17):30116. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011
MedlinePlus.Esophagitis.
McConaghy JR.Outpatient diagnosis of acute chest pain in adults.Am Fam Physician.2013;87(3):177-82. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010944
McConaghy JR, Oza RS.Outpatient diagnosis of acute chest pain in adults.Am Fam Physician.
2013 Feb 1;87(3):177-82.
