A coughing fit is often accompanied by pain in the chest. The reasons for this condition are many. Chest pain during coughing can be a sign of a severe inflammatory process that occurs in the lungs or in the pleura. But diseases of the respiratory system are not the only cause of possible pain in this area. Also, such a symptom may indicate problems in the cardiovascular system, etc.
Causes
Consider the most common causes of chest pain when coughing:
- SARS, seasonal flu, etc.
- Bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia.
- Pleurisy.
- Emphysema.
- Diphtheria.
- Epiglottitis.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Allergic reactions.
- Foreign body.
- Pulmonary embolism.
- Fractures of the ribs.
- Intercostal neuralgia.
- Tumors of various origin (benign and malignant).
- Tuberculosis.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
Consider some diseases in which a similar symptom occurs, in more detail.
Pleurisy
The pleura is a serous membrane that covers the surface of the lungs and the inner wall of the chest. Thus, between them there is a pleural cavity. With inflammation of the pleura, pleurisy occurs. It can be exudative, with the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, and dry.
The following symptoms are characteristic of pleurisy:
- Dry cough, chest pain, shortness of breath.
- Weakness and excessive sweating, usually at night.
- The temperature is low-grade, rarely rises to high numbers.
- If the patient lies on the affected side, then the pain is slightly reduced, because breathing movements are limited.
With exudative pleurisy (in case of fluid accumulation) shortness of breath increases. And if pleurisy passes into a purulent form, the temperature rises sharply.
Antibacterial therapy is used to treat this disease, and in the case of purulent contents of the pleural cavity, it is recommended to remove the fluid by pleural puncture.
Pneumonia
With this disease, chest pain during coughing is also characteristic. Especially if croupous pneumonia develops with damage to the lobe or segment of the lung. The disease usually begins with a sharp rise in temperature. It can reach up to 40 degrees. Pain in the chest appears with a deep breath. Shortness of breath occurs in the patient from the first days.
The patient's condition worsens. In addition to the described symptoms - chest pain, cough, temperature - red spots may appear that are noticeable on the face from the side of the lesion, as well as cyanosis (cyanosis) of the lips, if the cardiovascular system is involved in the pathological process. A strong heartbeat and heart rhythm disturbances may occur.
After a few days, sputum begins to cough, first transparent, then it becomes the color of rust.
Symptoms may increase within two weeks. Then, with proper treatment, the crisis passes, and gradually the patient becomes easier. Croupous pneumonia is a very serious disease. They treat it only with the use of antibiotics. Sometimes several antibacterial drugs are used at once. Before the advent of antibiotics, this disease very often ended in death.
Colds
Chest pain during coughing can be caused by colds caused by viruses or bacteria. Such diseases include:
- ARVI.
- Flu.
- Whooping cough.
- Tracheitis.
- Bronchitis and others
The following symptoms are characteristic of these diseases: cough, chest pain, runny nose (it may not be with bronchitis and tracheitis). In addition, the patient is worried about weakness, chills, an increase in temperature, sometimes up to 38-39 degrees and above, is observed. Often, patients say that they have the feeling that someone is scratching their chest from the inside. With the start of treatment, these sensations gradually disappear. With bronchitis, a patient often suffers from a severe cough, while chest pain intensifies.
Antiviral therapy for influenza and SARS is used. If there is a runny nose, vasoconstrictor drugs (drops, sprays) are used. Antibiotics can be used to treat bronchitis and tracheitis.
Intercostal neuralgia
This disease is characterized by pain in the chest, which can occur as sharp exacerbations in the form of shots. They intensify with a deep breath and can be unbearable, according to patients.
With intercostal neuralgia, it is important not to confuse this disease with angina attacks or other heart diseases.
Chest injuries
These include bruises and fractures of the ribs. Pain in this case is pronounced, with any movements amplified. It is important not to confuse them with pain in osteochondrosis. For this, a chest x-ray is done. Similar symptoms sometimes give injuries to the shoulder joint (subluxations, dislocations, fractures).
In case of lung fractures or other injuries (a knife or gunshot wound, etc.) of the chest, pneumothorax can sometimes occur - this is the penetration of air into the pleural space around the lungs, which compresses the lung and prevents it from straightening out when inhaling. This condition, as a rule, requires surgical intervention.
Sometimes a small spontaneous pneumothorax can occur, it passes on its own and does not require treatment.
Lungs' cancer
In this tumor process, uncontrolled growth of pathological cells in the lung tissue occurs. The process may affect nearby organs. It is important to identify the pathology as soon as possible and urgently take action. Therefore, it is recommended that all citizens undergo fluorography or an X-ray examination of the lungs at least once a year.
Statistics show that of all cases of lung cancer, 85% of patients are smokers. The remaining 15% are patients with burdened heredity, living in environmentally disadvantaged areas, working in hazardous industries, etc.
Pain in the chest with lung cancer is tingling, acute. They can encircle the entire chest or can be located on only one side, give to the neck, arm, shoulder blade. If the process has gone far, and metastases penetrate the spine or ribs, then the patient suffers from very strong, literally unbearable pains in the chest area, which intensify with any movement.
If such symptoms occur, you need to identify the cause of discomfort and pain. To do this, seek medical help. Only a specialist will establish their true cause and prescribe the correct treatment.