Why do I get a sharp pain in my chest when I breathe?

Why do I get a sharp pain in my chest when I breathe?

Pleuritis. Also known as pleurisy, this is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the lungs and chest. You likely feel a sharp pain when you breathe, cough, or sneeze. The most common causes of pleuritic chest pain are bacterial or viral infections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax.

What triggers pleurisy?

Doctors do not always know what causes pleurisy. Infections usually cause the disorder. These infections can be viral (caused by a virus), such as influenza, or bacterial (caused by bacteria), such as pneumonia. While infections can cause pleurisy, pleurisy itself is not contagious.

Why does the left side of my chest hurt?

Left-sided chest pain can be due to a heart attack or other life-threatening condition for which every minute matters. Call your local emergency services if you or someone near you has unexplained left-sided or center chest pain along with: feeling of pressure or tightening of the chest.

What does it mean if I have chest pain while breathing?

If your chest hurts when you breathe in and out, it doesn’t always mean that you’ve pulled a muscle. Sometimes this is a sign of an infection, such as pneumonia. It can also be a symptom of a heart problem. Chest pain after a workout or stressful event can be due to angina, in which the muscles of your heart don’t get enough blood.

What causes left chest pain?

This localized, sharp left chest pain is most commonly experienced by teenagers or young adults. This left side chest pain is caused by trauma to the chest or viral infections and can worsen after activity. However, it can be treated with physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medications.

What causes sharp pain when taking a deep breath?

Pneumonia, an infection in the lung; pleurisy, an inflammation of the lung’s lining; and a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lung can all cause sharp pain, especially upon taking a deep breath or coughing. Asthma can also cause chest pain, along with wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.

What causes pain while breathing?

Some illnesses that can cause painful breathing include: pneumonia, a lung infection caused by a virus, fungus, or bacteria. tuberculosis , a serious bacterial lung infection. pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the lungs or chest cavity often due to infection.