Back Pain When Taking Deep Breaths

Sharp Back Pain When Taking a Deep Breath

Sharp back pain when taking a deep breath is a common complaint.

In fact, the lungs are not painful organs. The stabbing sensation that occurs during deep breathing is usually caused by the pleura, a double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs. This pain can sometimes radiate towards the neck and shoulder area.

What Causes Back Pain When Taking a Deep Breath?

The most common causes of sharp pain during deep breathing are pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax (air trapped between the layers of the pleura),fluid accumulation in the pleura, and lung cancer.

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. If pneumonia is not diagnosed early or effectively treated, the pleura may also become inflamed, causing sharp pain in the chest when taking a deep breath. The most effective treatment in this case is the use of appropriately selected antibiotics.

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot forms in the lung's blood vessels. In pulmonary embolism, the lung tissue behind the blocked vessel becomes deprived of blood flow and oxygen. If this infarcted area is close to the pleura, it can cause sharp chest pain. The treatment involves anticoagulant medications, and as the blood flow is restored, the pain diminishes.

Fluid accumulation between the pleural layers can occur due to pleural inflammation, pleural cancer, or rheumatic diseases. In such cases, inflammation of the pleura causes pain. The treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause.

Pneumothorax, or air trapped between the pleural layers, is another common cause of sharp pain during deep breathing and can result from various causes.

It typically occurs due to the rupture of air sacs in the lungs. Other causes include trauma from falls, impacts, traffic accidents, or gunshot/stabbing injuries, as well as after lung biopsies performed during bronchoscopy, rib fractures puncturing the lung, or during CPR.

The risk of pneumothorax is higher in individuals with underlying lung diseases such as emphysema, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, or lung cancer. The two most important symptoms are sudden onset sharp chest pain during deep breathing and sudden onset shortness of breath. The treatment involves inserting a tube between the pleural layers to remove the air.

Treatment for Sharp Back Pain When Taking a Deep Breath

The treatment for sharp pain that occurs during deep breathing generally involves the use of common pain relievers (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Adequate pain control helps improve the patient's respiratory function and allows for the clearance of secretions through coughing. This helps control respiratory infections.