Anxious sensations of pain in the chest area are often perceived as a signal of any disturbances in the body. And, basically, suspicions are confirmed. In this area there are many organs that are vital: the heart, for example. Also, there are many vessels, including large ones. Their disease does not bode well unless you turn to a specialist in time and undergo an examination. So, pain in the middle of the chest during inhalation indicates a possible pathology and, having found such signs, one should immediately go to the hospital.
What causes pain
Pain in the middle of the chest during inspiration is a fairly common occurrence and may be the result of numerous diseases. It is difficult to figure out exactly what violations caused the discomfort. Therefore, it is better to entrust this to a professional. So, for example, pain in the chest when you inhale on the right, may indicate the presence of:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- pathology of the respiratory organs;
- problems in the gastrointestinal tract;
- spinal diseases;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- mechanical damage resulting from personal injury.
The above reasons are the most common, but the list is not exhaustive. The final cause of pain can only be determined after a complete diagnosis, including examination and additional studies.
Symptomatology
When applying to the hospital, the main complaint of patients is an increase in pain in the chest during inspiration, which can be described:
- at the place of localization: on the left, in the center, in the back, between the ribs or under them;
- by the nature of pain in the chest area: shoots, stabs, squeezes, achs, burns, throbbing;
- in intensity: weak, moderate or strong;
- by duration: short or long-term;
- by the nature of the occurrence: acute and gradually increasing pain;
- on effects on other organs and tissues: pain gives off to the neck, left arm or upper abdomen;
- subject to changes resulting from deep breathing, severe coughing, emotional or physical stress, or movement.
The manifestation of symptoms for chest pain is quite diverse and can vary depending on the individual characteristics of the body, the subjective perception of the patient, the location, the duration of the disease and the mechanisms of progress of the pathology itself. However, in most cases, the symptoms are similar, and due to the characteristics of the symptoms of any disease, after the initial examination and questioning, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis.
Chest pain due to a cardiovascular disease
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system are considered the most dangerous cause of pain in the upper chest during inhalation, as they can cause serious consequences. For example, a heart attack, stroke, or aortic aneurysm can be life threatening and need urgent removal.
Pain caused by diseases of the heart or blood vessels, usually have a compressive or oppressive nature and give in the subscapular region in the left hand. The pain is very intense and lasts longer than ten minutes. In addition, it is accompanied by:
- change in blood pressure (pressure can both increase and decrease);
- the appearance of arrhythmia;
- the appearance of shortness of breath even at rest;
- cyanosis observed above the belt;
- pallor of the skin and cold sweating;
- cough with expectoration of blood;
- disturbing sensations.
When listening, as a rule, deaf heart sounds, the presence of pathological noises and changes in the normal rhythm are detected. Wet wheezing in the lung area is also noted. The patient is often in serious condition.
Pain in respiratory diseases
If there is pain in the middle of the chest during inhalation, accompanied by a cough, then perhaps pathology develops somewhere in the airways. This can be damage to organs such as the lungs, bronchi, trachea or pleura. The following symptoms can also be detected:
- cough (dry or wet);
- the appearance of shortness of breath;
- the presence of fever;
- sputum discharge (it can be purulent, bloody or mucous);
- feeling of general weakness.
An increase in pain can be observed during a deep breath and cough. The doctor can make a conclusion only after questioning and auscultation.
Gastrointestinal pain
In the chest area from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, there is only the esophagus, so pain under the chest during inhalation can be caused by a hernia of the diaphragm and lesions of the mucous membrane of the esophagus. But do not forget that the pain can be reflected and appear due to ulcers, cholecystitis or pancreatitis. All these diseases have different symptoms, but among them we can distinguish:
- feeling of nausea, vomiting;
- the presence of heartburn and belching;
- bitter taste in the mouth;
- change in the consistency of the stool;
- bloating.
The manifestation of such signs is a consequence of a violation of the diet and does not depend on physical activity and respiratory movements.
Spinal pain
In the event that pain is also accompanied by stabbing in the back and chest, it is necessary to check for pathologies of the spinal column, such as hernia, osteochondrosis, or spondylarthrosis. In this case, pain in the chest may appear on the left during inhalation, during body movement, during deep breathing, laughter or sneezing. Neuralgic diseases are also indicated by:
- decreased sensitivity of the left limb;
- a feeling of numbness or tingling in her;
- muscle weakness;
- the appearance of dermographism;
- discoloration of the skin.
Often, chest pain in the middle during inspiration is accompanied by signs of autonomic changes in the functioning of the organs of the internal systems: bloating, fluctuation in blood pressure or heart rate. This is possible due to functional changes that disappear when the source is removed - compression of the nerve root.
Intercostal neuralgia
Intercostal neuralgia can also be accompanied by inhalation of pain in the middle of the chest. This pathology often appears as a result of hypothermia or intense physical stress. In this case, pain in the chest increases with inspiration, and it can be described as sharp, located on one side or encircled. In addition, pain may occur during body movements. On palpation, pain is not detected.
Chest pain as a result of mechanical damage
Pain in the chest area can also be due to the presence of mechanical injuries resulting from trauma. In this case, pain occurs during breathing and body movements. Concomitant symptoms depend on the severity and type of injury. Mainly distinguished:
- swelling and hematomas of soft tissues;
- bruising and abrasions on the skin;
- change in the shape of the chest;
- unpleasant sensations when palpating.
As a result of the violation of the integrity of the ribs, damage to the lungs and pleura is possible, which in turn can cause bleeding and pneumothorax. To reduce the intensity of pain, it is recommended to limit the patient's movements and try to reduce the depth of inspiration and exhalation.
The appearance of pain in the chest after smoking
The appearance of pain in the chest area after smoking can be a good indicator for identifying pathologies in the body. So, there are 2 reasons why pain occurs:
- Pulmonary. The pain is due to the fact that tobacco smoke damages lung tissue. This can cause the formation of a chronic form of bronchitis, asthma, or tumor neoplasms of the lung.
- Extrapulmonary. These reasons are due to the presence of pathologies in the work of the heart or blood vessels, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or musculoskeletal system, including joints.
If the smoking process is accompanied by pain in the sternum, it is worth paying attention to and going to the doctor.
In what case and when to call an ambulance
With the appearance of acute pains that can interfere with normal breathing, including pain during inspiration in the middle of the chest, there will naturally be a desire to call an ambulance. In certain cases, this should be done:
- If, together with the sensation of pain when inhaling in the chest area, there is a feeling of squeezing under the chest, the pain spreads to the left arm, scapula, lower jaw and shortness of breath.
- With the appearance of nausea, changes in heart rate, dizziness, a change in skin color to gray, lowering blood pressure, a decrease in the number of heartbeats, fainting.
- When there is no improvement 20 minutes after taking nitroglycerin, a cough arose with sputum discharge, chills, difficulty swallowing.
An ambulance should be called immediately after the detection of the symptoms described above in order to receive qualified help in a timely manner.
Diagnostics
In order to make a final diagnosis and find out the cause of chest pain with a strong breath, it is necessary to conduct additional studies, depending on the data obtained during the survey and initial examination. Taking into account the previously made diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe the following types of diagnostics:
- blood chemistry;
- general blood analysis;
- coprogram;
- the study of fluid from the pleura;
- X-ray of the lungs and spinal column;
- ECG (cardiogram);
- Ultrasound of internal organs;
- gastroscopy;
- sputum analysis (clinical and bacteriological).
This list of studies is not final and can be supplemented by a specialist depending on the results obtained and the course of the disease. In addition, you may need to contact specialists of any profile: cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, traumatologist, gastroenterologist and vertebrologist, for a more detailed examination.
As a result, the cause of pain during inspiration in the middle of the chest will be clarified and adequate treatment will be prescribed that will relieve the disease and its consequences.