Burning in chest. Burning in the chest - causes

One of the most common complaints that people of middle and older age turn to a therapist is pain and burning in chest. It is far from immediately possible to determine the exact cause of the ailment - there are many organs in the chest and almost every one of them can cause a burning sensation. And to know what caused it is very important - this symptom can indicate both the development of relatively harmless heartburn, and warn of serious heart problems.

Causes of burning in the chest

Pain, tightness or burning sensation in the chest mainly occurs in older people, they are associated with diseases gastrointestinal tract or the cardiovascular system, less often such symptoms occur in adolescents and young people suffering from gastritis, stomach ulcers or colds.

When such symptoms appear, it is important to accurately determine the place of their occurrence.- on the right, on the left, behind the sternum, in the back, the nature of the unpleasant sensations - the burning sensation can be unexpressed or cause severe pain. And also has great importance accompanying symptoms and signs - the appearance of nausea, vomiting, palpitations, coughing, fever and the causes of burning: violation of diet and diet, hypothermia or excessive exercise.

The most common causes of burning in the chest

1. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract- burning in the chest, heartburn, belching and other discomfort that appears immediately after eating or a few hours after eating can be symptoms of such unpleasant diseases as gastritis or stomach ulcers with hyperacidity, esophagitis, pancreatitis or, less commonly, colitis. In such diseases, pain is characteristic to the right or left of the sternum, accompanied by a burning sensation and heaviness in the stomach, as well as heartburn, nausea, vomiting or belching that occurs after eating fatty or fried foods. If burning behind the sternum occurs along with severe heartburn immediately after eating or after a few hours and occurs regularly after each meal, reflux esophagitis is most likely the cause. With this disease, the upper esophageal sphincter weakens and the acidic contents of the stomach enter the esophagus, where it irritates the mucous membrane;

2. Diseases of the cardiovascular system- pain and burning sensation in the left half of the chest or behind the sternum, appearing after physical, emotional stress, in the evening or at night, are characteristic of angina pectoris, developing myocardial infarction, myocarditis and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. At the same time, the pains are intense, aggravated by movement, give to left shoulder, shoulder blade or arm and are accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the chest, fear, shortness of breath and changes in heart rate. A distinctive feature of such diseases is that pains appear mainly at night or after exertion and disappear at rest or after taking nitroglycerin;

3. neuralgia- inflammation or infringement of the intercostal nerves causes severe pain and a burning sensation in the chest area. Inflammation or infringement of nerve endings can be caused by osteochondrosis, a spinal injury or a cold (popularly, such diseases are called “lumbago”). Diagnosing intercostal neuralgia is not difficult - the pain is constant, pronounced, aggravated by movement, turning the body or bending over;

Festive video recipe:

4. Colds- tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy are also accompanied by a burning sensation in the chest. But this symptom in such diseases is secondary, the fever, cough, chest pain and general malaise come to the fore;

5. Other reasons - a burning sensation in the chest that appears regularly can be caused by neuropsychiatric diseases, tumor processes in the chest or other reasons. Prolonged nervous tension, emotional upheavals or chronic stress disrupt the normal functioning of the vegetative-vascular system. As a result, patients may experience unexplained pain and a burning sensation behind the sternum, which appear regardless of any external causes- overeating, hypothermia, physical exertion, do not disappear with a change in body position and are not stopped by taking medicines. Careful diagnosis in such cases usually reveals minor disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or the cardiovascular system, but the treatment of concomitant diseases does not help to solve the problem, since the help of a qualified psychologist or psychotherapist is required.

How to deal with burning in the chest

You can completely get rid of a burning sensation in the chest only by curing the disease that caused the appearance of this symptom. Therefore, with regular burning in the chest, only an appointment with a doctor, a comprehensive examination and specific treatment can help.

If the burning sensation appears periodically and there is no way to immediately apply for medical care, you can try to alleviate the patient's condition at home:

1. If the occurrence of burning sensation is associated with food intake - you need to give up fatty, fried, salty foods, the use of spices, fast food, strong coffee and alcoholic beverages, eat often, but in small portions. To cope with pain and burning in such a situation, drugs such as omez, omeprazole, almagel, ranitidine, famotidine and other drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice and protect the mucous membrane from the aggressive effects of gastric juice will help;

2. If discomfort is associated with the cardiovascular system, the patient should stop any work activity, lie down and try to calm down. It is also recommended to take an elevated position, provide an influx of fresh air, get rid of tight clothes and give the patient nitroglycerin, validol, corvalol or motherwort, peony tincture or other sedative;

3. For colds, burning in the chest can be relieved with antibiotic therapy, but only the doctor treating the patient can prescribe a specific drug;
For other diseases, temporary relief can be obtained by taking painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The occurrence of a burning sensation in the chest area may indicate a disease of the internal organs, in order to accurately determine which of the organs is supplying alarm signal, it is necessary to study in more detail all possible causes. With the manifestation of this symptom, the patient may develop a feeling of fear, since an unpleasant sensation behind the sternum can warn of the presence of a cardiovascular disease.

Burning and other pain may be caused various diseases. For example, such sensations can occur as a result of an attack of angina pectoris or much worse - with a myocardial infarction. Therefore, a person should be extremely careful if soreness in the chest was felt immediately after suffering stress or increased physical activity.

DiseaseBrief description of symptoms
myocardial infarctionOne of the most dangerous diseases is myocardial infarction. To recognize it at the first manifestations, you should know exactly about the symptoms. The primary symptom is a very severe pain behind the sternum, which becomes burning, pressing, squeezing, and sometimes completely unbearable. After taking Nitroglycerin, there is no improvement in well-being. The duration of the pain is more than 20 minutes. Such an attack most often occurs when the patient does not expect - at night or in the early morning.
Housing and communal services ailmentsIf the patient feels a burning sensation in the chest and / or in the epigastric region, then the presence of a gastrointestinal disease can be suspected. In this case, the pain is usually associated with food intake or dietary errors. Decreases after taking antacids.
Respiratory ailmentsWhen there is a problem with the lungs, a person may feel either a sudden severe pain in the chest area, or gradually increasing. Unpleasant burning sensations or pain can occur even with slight physical exertion, and can also be aggravated by breathing and coughing.
angina pectorisThe pain syndrome will be pronounced. A person can feel a burning sensation during emotional overstrain or physical exertion. The pain is characterized by bursting, burning, pressure behind the sternum. Radiation of pain: left shoulder blade, shoulder, lower jaw. Such attacks last less than 20 minutes and are stopped by taking Nitroglycerin.
OsteochondrosisIf a person develops this disease in the cervical, thoracic spine, then the pain can radiate to the chest. It is noteworthy that the intensity of pain will depend on the stage of the disease and physical activity.
Illnesses of a psycho-emotional natureAfter suffering severe stress or in the presence of a mental illness, a person may feel pain, burning in the chest. In this case, an examination by a psychotherapist is required.

Carefully! Each of the above ailments poses a threat to life, therefore, if a burning sensation occurs behind the sternum, you should immediately call an ambulance. For example, an attack, accompanied by pain in the chest during a heart attack, lasts more than 20 minutes and, in the absence of qualified assistance, can be fatal.

Additional symptoms and burning in the chest

When pain occurs in the chest on the left, then we can talk about left sided pneumonia. In this case, a few more symptoms are added to the burning sensation - cough, shortness of breath and high fever. An accurate diagnosis is established by the doctor after special examinations. When a pronounced burning sensation is observed in the center of the chest, then most likely the patient influenza complicated by bronchitis.

A burning sensation that is localized behind the sternum and is accompanied by a sour eructation confirms the presence heartburn. Also, pain on the left or in the center of the chest will be observed when vegetative-vascular dystonia. The symptom occurs, in this case, after overwork. To diagnose an attack of VSD, one should pay attention to symptoms such as a high level of sweating, redness or blanching of the skin, a person begins to throw in a fever.

Attention! Such a symptom as a burning sensation in the chest should not be ignored and muffled with analgesics, since this sign can indicate a threat to life. After the manifestations of a painful syndrome, it is imperative to undergo a diagnosis of the body.

Carefully! Acute conditions and burning in the chest

As already mentioned, soreness can manifest itself in dangerous diseases such as heart attack, myocarditis and angina pectoris. To understand which of the ailments made itself felt, you need to familiarize yourself with the additional symptoms of seizures.

  1. myocardial infarction. It is characterized by retrosternal pain of a pressing, burning, squeezing or bursting nature with irradiation to the left arm, neck, lower jaw, left scapula or interscapular space. Not stopped by taking nitroglycerin. There may be atypical symptoms: heaviness, discomfort behind the sternum, chest pain of another localization, heaviness, discomfort or pain in the epigastric region, shortness of breath. Such atypical complaints occur in 30% of cases and are more often presented by women, elderly patients, patients diabetes, chronic kidney failure or dementia. An attack of pain may be accompanied by agitation, fear, restlessness, sweating, dyspepsia, hypotension, shortness of breath, weakness, and even fainting.
  2. Myocarditis. This is a heart disease, which implies a focal or diffuse inflammatory process in the myocardium. This disease develops against the background of infectious disease, allergic reactions or toxic injury hearts. In addition to the main symptom - pain in the chest, including burning, the patient develops shortness of breath, interruptions in the heart rhythm, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, pronounced weakness.
  3. angina pectoris. Pain behind the sternum or along the left edge of the sternum is paroxysmal, discomfort or pressing, squeezing, deep dull pain. The attack can be described as tightness, heaviness, lack of air. Associated with physical and emotional stress. Irradiates to the neck, lower jaw, teeth, interscapular space, less often - to the elbow or wrist joints, mastoid processes. The pain lasts from 1-15 minutes (2-5 minutes). It is stopped by taking Nitroglycerin and stopping the load.

If burning and soreness is associated with breathing

Most of the chest is occupied by paired organs - these are the lungs. Therefore, the occurrence of burning may be due to inflammation of the lungs or the development of pathological processes in them. The pain is usually aggravated by breathing, coughing, or physical activity.

More about inflammation of the membranes, which leads to a burning sensation in the chest

Shell nameShort description
PleurisyPathology that is formed against the background of other ailments, for example, with tuberculosis. The patient complains of pain of a stabbing nature, which disappears in the supine position.
PericarditisThis pathology affects the outer heart membrane. In this case, the pathological process can be:

Dry (that is, there is no release of any liquid);
exudative (fluid sweating occurs).

The dry form of pericarditis is characterized by pain in the heart and cough. But, if exudate is released, then it can put pressure on the heart, which causes a burning sensation.

Note! Burning can occur against the background of diseases respiratory tract and cardiac pathologies. Timely diagnosis is important.

How is the diagnosis

It should be recognized that the same symptom can warn of completely different diseases. If ARVI-diseases and flu can be cured and, thereby, the painful symptom can be eliminated, then oncological ailments and a heart attack require a quick response and the right treatment tactics. Therefore, when the appearance anxiety symptoms it is important to go for diagnostics.

  • basic diagnostics includes the collection of material for detailed studies. Also, the basic complex includes radiography, fluorography, ultrasound, electrocardiogram. The listed examinations are carried out to find out the exact cause of the burning sensation in the chest area. In case of doubt, the patient can be sent for special diagnostics;
  • special diagnostics provides for tomography (computer, magnetic) and fibrogastroscopy.

The final diagnosis is made by the doctor, after which, taking into account individual indicators, he determines the course of therapy. According to the result of diagnostic procedures, the patient is sent to a specific specialist (oncologist, pulmonologist, therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist).

Attention! Before the patient goes to a medical institution, he must independently try to assess the situation and, if necessary, provide himself with first aid.

Actions for burning in the chest

When unpleasant symptoms occur in the area of ​​​​the heart, lungs or stomach, it is necessary to call an ambulance as soon as possible. You can not quench the pain on your own and endure if:

  1. There is a sudden sharp pain in the chest area, a paroxysmal cough occurs and the patient loses consciousness.
  2. In case of burning, which gives to the shoulder, jaw or shoulder blade.
  3. If pain syndrome independently after rest does not subside for fifteen minutes.
  4. When symptoms such as an accelerated heart rate, increased sweating, vomiting are observed, which are complemented by a strong burning sensation in the chest.

How to help yourself?

In any case, if a person feels squeezing, squeezing, burning in the sternum in the middle, then the help of a doctor is needed, so an ambulance should be called. Before the arrival of the brigade, you can try to eliminate the unpleasant symptom yourself, and to do this, perform the following steps:

  • if the pain occurs immediately after eating, then the person is advised to lie down quickly and not to exert himself with physical activity. Depending on the level of acidity in the stomach, you can drink a weak soda solution, which will soothe heartburn;
  • in case of stress, you should try to calm down on your own with the help of breathing exercises (long inhalation and quick exhalation), then take a comfortable position and relax;
  • do not self-medicate in case of heart disease and respiratory diseases, because this will only aggravate the clinical picture.

Note! Herbal decoction (chamomile and sage) will help temporarily relieve the burning sensation. But by no means should it be ignored. main reason chest burning.

A highly qualified doctor will tell you about chest pains and heart pains in a video.

Video - Pain in the heart and pain in the chest

What does a doctor do

  1. The first thing a specialist does is to study the anamnesis (cardiovascular diseases) of close relatives.
  2. Clarifies additional symptoms.
  3. Clarifies if you are taking any medications.
  4. Conducts a detailed examination to rule out other root causes.
  5. Sends the patient for an ECG examination.
  6. Conducts a test on the body's response to physical activity.
  7. Recommends an examination of the gastrointestinal tract, angiography.

Preventive actions

For the purpose of prevention, it is recommended to do exercises daily, and in no case should you start exercises with heavy physical exertion. The exercise program must be agreed with the exercise therapy trainer. Also, the patient should be within his optimal weight and monitor cholesterol levels, take preventive measures for atherosclerosis and hypertension. At the same time, if a person suffers from diabetes, in the first place should be the control of sugar levels. Once every six months, a complete examination of the body should be carried out, and if a burning sensation occurs, immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance.

Video - How to find out what hurts behind the sternum

Select a rubric Adenoids Angina Uncategorized Wet cough Wet cough In children Sinusitis Cough Cough in children Laryngitis ENT Diseases Folk methods treatment of sinusitis Folk remedies from cough Folk remedies for the common cold Runny nose Runny nose in pregnant women Runny nose in adults Runny nose in children Overview of drugs Otitis Cough preparations Procedures for sinusitis Cough procedures Procedures for the common cold Symptoms of sinusitis Cough syrups Dry cough Dry cough in children Temperature Tonsillitis Tracheitis Pharyngitis

  • Runny nose
    • Runny nose in children
    • Folk remedies for the common cold
    • Runny nose in pregnant women
    • Runny nose in adults
    • Runny nose treatments
  • Cough
    • Cough in children
      • Dry cough in children
      • Wet cough in children
    • Dry cough
    • Moist cough
  • Drug Overview
  • Sinusitis
    • Alternative methods of treatment of sinusitis
    • Symptoms of Sinusitis
    • Treatments for sinusitis
  • ENT Diseases
    • Pharyngitis
    • Tracheitis
    • Angina
    • Laryngitis
    • Tonsillitis
Cough is a common symptom indicating inflammation in the respiratory organs or irritation of the respiratory mucosa by external or internal factors. Cough is not the only symptom that can torment a person. Sometimes, in addition to him, he is worried about burning in the chest when coughing, which should always alert a person, become a reason to see a doctor.

A burning sensation in the chest when coughing can appear at any time, causing discomfort, sometimes there is pain, shortness of breath. The patient must be treated immediately.

What leads to such a negative phenomenon as a burning sensation in the chest when coughing? The reasons for this phenomenon can be:

  1. Possible injury to the ribs. There is pressure on the bronchi and lungs, the person begins to cough angrily and choke. It becomes easier only when the body is located on the injured side.
  2. Bronchitis is an infectious disease that occurs when viruses enter the respiratory tract.
  3. In diseases of the spine, compression of the airways also occurs, accompanied by pain and burning in the chest from a hysterical cough.
  4. Burning caused by diseases of the respiratory tract with SARS, influenza, pharyngitis, tracheitis, etc.
  5. In the presence of an inflammatory process, when the membrane between the chest and lungs is affected.
  6. Cardiac and vascular pathologies, the course of which is aggravated by coughing attacks.
  7. Intercostal neuralgia. Even with a normal breath, pain is felt, and coughing causes a burning sensation in the chest.
  8. With tuberculosis, chest pain is a common occurrence.
  9. Osteochondrosis and vertebral hernia.
  10. With the accumulation of fluid in the pleural area (pleurisy, pneumothorax), pain and burning sensations appear.
  11. Oncological diseases of the respiratory tract, when the tumor blocks the main channels and leads to constant pain.
  12. Physical overload of the pectoral muscles also negatively affect the general condition with cough syndrome.

The causes of burning in the chest area can be diseases of any organ located in this area: the heart, lungs, bronchi, esophagus, etc. Hasty conclusions cannot be drawn. Self-medication with such symptoms is also strictly prohibited.


Localization of chest pain

To establish the correct diagnosis with a cough and burning sensation in the chest, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination in order to exclude serious pathologies.

The doctor carefully examines the patient, listening to his complaints. When examining, you must definitely decide where it hurts, on the right or on the left. Such moments are very important in a comprehensive examination.

Coughing can be the cause of a burning sensation in the chest, as well as a consequence of another disease. It is much easier to find out the cause when the pain is localized in a certain place. Painful points can be diagnosed using special equipment (X-ray, ultrasound, etc.), laboratory tests can be carried out.


Diagnosis and clinical signs

The patient should observe the course of the disease, so that when visiting a doctor, tell what torments him: dry cough, burning in the chest or itching in the lungs, and other symptoms.

If patients complain of a burning sensation in the sternum in the middle, the reasons need to be clarified only with the help of diagnostic methods:

  • fluorographic examination;
  • detailed blood test;
  • chest MRI;
  • electrocardiograms;
  • tuberculin test (if pneumonia is suspected);
  • pulmonary puncture to completely exclude cancer.

What to do if it burns in the chest from coughing

Coughing attacks, accompanied by pain and burning in the chest, should puzzle the patient and his family. It is better not to treat such symptoms yourself, but to consult a doctor for a comprehensive examination.

For first aid, cough medicines and plentiful warm drinks are suitable (herbal decoctions are better). If a person has chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, he should know what are the symptoms of these diseases. Take immediately drugs that will relieve pain at the first stage and will not cause harm. For example, drops of valerian, peppermint, aspirin, analgin. This is where the list of drugs ends and begins. drug treatment prescribed by the doctor.


When to see a doctor

With colds, the appearance of fever, sore throat and cough, burning in the chest can be a consequence of the general condition of the patient. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor to rule out serious complications. First of all, with such symptoms, you should contact a general practitioner, pulmonologist, cardiologist, oncologist. But it is better to start the diagnosis with a visit to the family doctor.

If a child falls ill, he must be examined by a pediatrician as soon as possible. In the body of a child, all processes occur much faster than in an adult. Therefore, it is important to stop the development of the disease at the very beginning.

In case of critical situations (a person is choking from coughing fits or suffering from severe pain), it is necessary to call an ambulance. Specialists will remove pain syndromes and deliver the patient for examination to the clinic.


Treatment Methods

Only when establishing the final diagnosis, the doctor selects a number of drugs and folk remedies for treatment.

  • If the cause of pain and burning in the chest is viral infections, antiviral drugs are prescribed, as well as antitussive medicines (syrups, medicines, tablets).
  • With neuralgia, myositis and other inflammations muscle tissue, joints, vertebrae, gels, ointments and creams are prescribed, as well as warming compresses. Helps in such cases, therapeutic exercises, massages.
  • At cardiovascular diseases, in addition to coughing, you need to treat the heart by taking the drugs prescribed by the doctor.
  • Oncological diseases will require a special course of chemotherapy.

With any diagnosis, it is necessary to treat cough as the main symptom or consequence of a chronic disease. When taking medication, one should not give up healing decoctions of herbs, tinctures and other folk recipes.


Why are the symptoms dangerous?

The pain and burning sensation in the chest that occurs with a dry cough can have complications. Sputum with blood begins to stand out, difficulty breathing appears, fever does not decrease. Treatment cannot be delayed. Self-medication will not work if the final diagnosis is not established. Only a complete examination in a clinical setting, recommendations and prescription of medication complex treatment bring the patient out of a critical condition.

If you don’t know how to treat Enalapril cough, then read this article with a detailed comparison.

With symptoms of burning and pain in the chest at the time of an attack of dry cough, special therapy is prescribed. For this, a thorough diagnosis of the patient is carried out. To reduce the risk of disease or to facilitate the course of the disease, it is necessary.

Cough is a characteristic symptom of many infectious pathologies. In some cases, it is accompanied by painful sensations. Hyperthermia in this case may be absent. Often the patient ignores the pain, hoping that it will disappear after the elimination of other catarrhal phenomena. A burning sensation indicates the presence pathological changes. Cough and chest pain without fever appear due to many serious diseases.

If a person is in pain and it is difficult to breathe, he should immediately contact his doctor. He will prescribe an examination and, focusing on its results, will determine the exact diagnosis. In this case, the doctor will also take into account the intensity of the pain syndrome, the individual characteristics of the patient and the complications that have already arisen. Pain localized in the chest area should not be considered normal. For common cold this sign missing.

Main reasons

Cough accompanied by pain can develop when exposed to the following factors:

  • pathologies provoked by infectious infection;
  • mechanical damage to the chest;
  • benign and malignant neoplasms;
  • malfunctions respiratory system;
  • cardiovascular diseases;
  • allergic reaction;
  • emotional overstrain;
  • pneumothorax;
  • Crick;
  • disorders in the liver, kidneys and gallbladder;
  • intercostal neuralgia;
  • harmful addictions.

Diagnostics

A person should contact a medical institution if he has the following clinical symptoms:


  • severe cough, the intensity of which gradually increases;
  • expectoration;
  • constant pain;
  • general malaise;
  • shade change skin and mucous membranes;
  • lingering cold.

Ignoring them is fraught with the progression of the disease that has arisen and the development of complications. Therefore, the sooner therapy begins, the greater the chance of a full recovery.

Diagnostics goes as follows:

  • Collection of anamnesis. The doctor asks the patient about the available chronic diseases, hereditary pathologies, living conditions and official duties.
  • Physical examination. Many ailments are already early stages cause the appearance of external clinical symptoms. These include pallor of the skin, exhaustion, swelling and other manifestations.
  • Laboratory studies (OAM, KLA, sputum analysis, histology of the affected tissue, tuberculin test). The patient submits biological materials to identify the pathogen and the affected area.
  • Physical examination (X-rays, ultrasound procedure, ECG).

Cough and pain, not accompanied by fever, appear in many serious pathologies. Pain should not be considered a minor symptom. Nonspecific signs often hide irreversible pathological changes.

Possible diseases


If the rib cage is damaged, the pain manifests itself when inhaling. Unpleasant sensations, characterized by periodicity and sharpness, are present in clinical picture pericarditis.

With oncology, the patient develops stabbing and acute pain.
Discomfort can be caused by bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis and tracheitis. This list also includes SARS, acute respiratory infections, whooping cough and influenza. This symptom also indicates tuberculosis and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (osteochondrosis).

Chest pain is often present with pulmonary embolism, an obstructive lesion of the respiratory system. Either way, ignore clinical symptom do not do it. Unpleasant sensations in the above pathologies arise due to the fact that the structure of functional tissues and mucous membranes of the lung is disturbed.

Provoking factors include shortening of the interpleural ligament, the occurrence of foci of inflammation in the membrane area, otitis externa, and the presence of foreign bodies. Under the circumstances, the patient most often suffers from dry cough and sharp pain.

A barking cough without fever is a characteristic symptom of dry pleurisy. This disease is a complication that can be triggered by pneumonia. The clinical picture also includes respiratory failure, apathy, excessive sweating, hyperthermia, and chills. The list is often supplemented by pain, weakness throughout the body, chronic fatigue and aches. All specific and non-specific clinical manifestations disappear after the root cause is removed.

An attack of pain may develop due to the appearance of renal colic. This symptom is accompanied by unpleasant sensations that spread to the abdomen and under the shoulder blade. Soreness can be localized on the right, left and in the middle. The intensity and prevalence vary. For example, pleurisy affects the lungs on both the right and left sides. At the same time, he necessarily takes into account the fact that pain can be reflected in the stomach, neck or upper limbs.

If the pain is localized in the region of the heart (in the middle of the chest), the patient should not hesitate to call a doctor. Pain in the chest area, provoked by a cough, may appear in the presence of pathologies such as:

  • acute heart failure;
  • congenital developmental anomalies;
  • decrease in the functionality of the valve apparatus;
  • ischemia.

With damage to the cardiovascular system, the clinical picture is shortness of breath, sputum containing blood particles, and increased heart rate.

In these circumstances, the patient is issued a referral to a cardiologist. If everything burns in the chest during a cough, you can’t do without a narrow-profile specialist.

Pain can be caused by inflammation in the muscles. In this case, the discomfort is aching in nature. Osteochondrosis, and subsequently pain with a cough, can be triggered by mechanical trauma or poor posture.

Therapeutic procedures

The treatment regimen is selected based on the information obtained during diagnostic examination. Acceptable drugs include:


  • mustard plasters;
  • warming ointments;
  • compresses.

They are used in the evenings to speed up coughing. In this way, a lost voice is restored and patients who cough heavily and suffer from chest pain are helped. These methods are unacceptable in the presence of high temperature, as they entail the progression of hyperthermia.

The drug regimen includes drugs with antitussive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effects. Medicines may also have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

The latter include antibiotics. They quickly and effectively treat ailments caused by bacterial infection. Medicines from this category relieve the symptoms of inflammation and neutralize the negative effects of harmful microorganisms. In the treatment of viral diseases, antibiotics are not needed. They will not alleviate the patient's condition, they will not eliminate pain and cough.

In addition to taking medications, the list of therapeutic measures includes regular airing of the room where the patient is (regardless of an adult or a child). Another mandatory item is to drink plenty of water (milk, natural juices, mineral water, healing infusions and decoctions).

In most cases, the patient is treated at home. At the same time, it must be carried out in full accordance with the recommendations of the doctor. A good reason to call an ambulance is:


  • excessive pallor and cyanosis of the skin, which gradually increases;
  • heaviness in the chest;
  • breathing difficulties;
  • malaise, increasing day by day;
  • dryness in the throat;
  • bleeding;
  • lack of a positive effect from the adopted therapeutic measures.

Painful sensations in the chest area, not accompanied by an increase in body temperature, can be eliminated through alternative medicine methods. Folk remedies for chest pain and cough can be made independently, they are used as adjuvant therapy.

If a patient has chest pain when coughing, they can use:

  • Herbal collection of plantain, licorice, coltsfoot. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The finished mixture is poured with boiling water and taken for infectious pathologies of the respiratory system.
  • Wormwood infusion. To prepare the composition for chest pain and cough, you will need 500 ml of vodka and 20 g of a dry mixture.
  • Radish juice. The root crop is carefully cut into slices, put them in a pre-prepared dish and sprinkled with sugar. After a while, you need to squeeze the juice. It should be drunk daily, preferably before meals. With it, you can get rid of a slight cough and pain, not complicated by temperature.

To this list, you can add carrots with honey, an infusion of oregano and raspberries, milk with garlic. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to consult with your doctor and identify the exact cause of cough and pain.

Symptoms such as pain and burning in the chest are quite frightening. After all, we all know that there is a heart, whose diseases are dangerous. But there are also other organs: large vessels, lungs, esophagus. In addition, the walls of the chest are made of bones, muscles and ligaments, and in women, the mammary glands are abundantly permeated with nerve fibers on top. All of these organs can hurt.

To differentiate “terrible” pain from “non-terrible” pain, we propose the following algorithm: first, we determine where it hurts, then we focus on additional symptoms. For some conditions, ambulance transportation is needed, for others, specialists from the local clinic.

Hurts on the right

Pain syndrome, localized in the right side of the chest, usually make themselves felt:

Diseases of the liver and biliary tract

In this case, the pain is usually:

  • dull;
  • paroxysmal;
  • does not depend on the movement of the body;
  • gives to the shoulder blade, half of the neck, arm - on the right;
  • has a connection with the food taken: it increases with the use of fatty and fried foods, which often causes disgust for such dishes.

At the same time, a yellow coating appears on the tongue, there may be bitterness in the mouth. If a stone (or tumor) “wound up” in the bile ducts, interfering with the passage of bile through its natural pathways, then the whites of the eyes will turn yellow first, then the skin. Urine becomes dark, feces - light. The same can be observed when the liver itself is affected by hepatitis, hepatosis or cirrhosis. Only qualified specialists are able to differentiate conditions: surgeons and infectious disease specialists (see also pain in the right hypochondrium, pain in the left hypochondrium).

Other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Gastritis, an ulcer of the upper digestive tract, intestinal colic can also be manifested either by pain or a burning sensation in the right side of the chest, but are more often localized to the left or directly behind the sternum. These pathologies are associated with food intake. We will consider them in more detail in the part devoted to pain in the rest of the chest.

Intercostal neuralgia

This is the name of the condition when the nerves going to the intercostal muscles (it is they who “fill” the breath) become inflamed or infringed. The most common cause of the disease is herpes zoster, caused by the chickenpox virus. In this case, a rash in the form of bubbles in one or more intercostal spaces is added to the symptoms listed below.

The main signs of intercostal neuralgia are:

  • the pain is severe, can be described as a burning sensation, but in a strictly localized place that can be felt;
  • the pain intensifies when inhaling, turning the torso, coughing, bending over.

If the “ancestor” of intercostal neuralgia is osteochondrosis, then chest pain can also be supplemented by “shots” in the right arm or the right half of the neck. And if you ask an assistant to press your fingers on each vertebra, starting from the cervical, in one place the pain will intensify.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the right lung, if it occurs with inflammation of the lining of the lung, the pleura (such a complication is called pleurisy), may also be accompanied by pain in the chest on the left. If you have this particular disease, then even before the onset of the pain syndrome, you feel weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, muscles and / or bones hurt. Almost always, the temperature rises, a cough appears, sometimes with blood, sometimes with mucus or mucopurulent sputum, or a dry cough. Immediately before the onset of chest pain, it becomes difficult to breathe.

Pain during premenstrual syndrome

One of the signs of mastopathy is pain in the premenstrual period. It is usually localized in both breasts, but may affect only the right, which can be recognized as chest pain.

In favor of mastopathy, it will be said that the pain syndrome manifests itself purely before menstruation, while the chest swells (“poured”) and one or more nodules can be felt in it.

Intercostal myositis

Myositis is an inflammation of a single muscle, in this case, the intercostal muscle. The pain in this case has a clear localization. It can be noted that there is no pain at rest, but it appears with a certain movement, it accompanies only a deep breath or cough.

Scoliosis

Curvature of the thoracic spine to the side is extremely rare: this pathology is more susceptible to its "moving" sections - cervical, lumbar. But if thoracic scoliosis nevertheless develops, and it has a C- or S-shaped appearance, with the convex side facing to the right, then when one of the intercostal nerves is infringed, pain appears in the right side of the chest.

This causes the following symptoms:

  • localized pain: a person can clearly indicate the point where it hurts;
  • the pain is aggravated by breathing and coughing;
  • no weakness, no nausea, no cough.

mental illness

This may be indicated by the absence of cough, fever, connection with breathing or eating. A person may feel difficulty in breathing, but if you ask an assistant to count the number of respiratory movements per minute in an arbitrary period of time, when the patient himself does not know about it, then it turns out that it is within the normal range (12-16 per minute). When listening to the lungs, the doctor objectively does not hear any pathological noises, and radiography, MRI or CT of the chest do not reveal any pathology.

Such diseases can be suspected if they began after severe nervous stress or if they summarized chronic fatigue. They refer to a psychiatrist when other causes of chest pain on the right are excluded.

Pain in the remaining parts of the chest: in the middle, on the left

Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical course of the nerves going to the internal organs, pain in the chest in the middle and on the left can have common causes. We list the possible diseases according to the leading symptom.

Have a cough

If a burning sensation in the chest accompanies a cough, it may be:

  • Pneumonia complicated by pleurisy. In this case, the burning sensation is usually localized on the left, in a larger or smaller area, but:
    • not behind the breastbone;
    • not in the area from 3rd to 5th intercostal space to the left of the sternum to the middle of the clavicle.

The pain or burning sensation is constant, but is aggravated by breathing. At the same time, there is weakness, increased fatigue, lack of appetite, a feeling of lack of air. Usually - a high temperature, but if pneumonia with pleurisy were complications of tuberculosis, then it may not rise at all. In some cases, diarrhea may occur total absence respiratory symptoms.

  • Bronchitis. There will be pain in the chest in the middle, cough (usually wet, when mucopurulent sputum is coughed up), loss of appetite, fever.
  • Flu. This is a disease based on a virus of a special structure that causes more or less small hemorrhages in the upper respiratory tract. Such hemorrhagic impregnation of the tracheal mucosa causes pain or burning behind the sternum. In addition, the flu is high temperature body, weakness, muscle and bone pain. A runny nose with this disease does not appear immediately, but on the second or third day of the disease, but a cough can occur on the first day.

If the initial symptoms were very similar to the flu: the temperature rose, aching bones and muscles were felt, at the same time or a little later pain behind the sternum appeared, and then it moved to the side, this hardly means the development of hemorrhagic pneumonia. The latter, caused by soaking the lung tissue with blood, is manifested by difficulty in breathing and symptoms of intoxication, and not by the displacement of pain.

Pain after exhaustion

This is how VVD, mental illness can manifest itself:

Vegetative-vascular dystonia - in the first case, it hurts in the region of the heart, the pain is not intense and has no connection with the load, body position or breathing. In addition to pain, a person often turns red / pale, throws him into sweat or fever.

With mental disorders, there are no such autonomic disorders, but there is a change in mood, a decrease in the desire to do something, and a deterioration in appetite. But there is no nausea, weakness, fever.

Pain during exercise

The causes of chest pain during exercise, occurring both on the left side and behind the sternum, are mainly heart diseases. This may include ischemic disease and its subspecies - angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. Also, pain during physical exertion occurs with myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. In this case, the load should be considered not only the execution physical work, but also:

  • climbing stairs;
  • walking against the wind (especially cold);
  • performing even minimal work after going out into the cold.

If it is painful to perform only certain movements, then the matter is most likely in myositis or intercostal neuralgia.

angina pectoris

  • The pain is localized in the region of the heart, that is, approximately in one of the places of such a square: horizontally - from the right edge of the sternum to a line drawn through the middle of the clavicle, vertically - from 3 to 5 intercostal spaces;
  • The pain gives or left side jaw, or in the left shoulder blade; irradiation can also go along the inside of the left hand up to the little finger inclusive;
  • feels like pressure, constriction, heaviness, dull pain;
  • provoked by physical activity, sometimes by excitement or a heavy meal;
  • pain or burning disappear after a while or after rest, or - due to taking a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue;
  • cough, change in body position does not increase the pain.

myocardial infarction

This is a pathology that rarely appears abruptly: it is usually preceded by warning "signs" in the form of angina attacks, while their provocation requires less and less stress over time.

A heart attack is characterized by a sharp pain in the region of the heart, which, arising against the background of a load (not always significant), does not go away after rest and is not removed by taking even a few tablets of nitroglycerin under the tongue. Gives pain to the left side of the body: arm, shoulder blade, jaw. Often the pain syndrome is accompanied by cold sweat, heart rhythm disturbances, dizziness and shortness of breath.

Myocarditis

This is the name of the inflammation of the heart muscle, which has arisen as a result of an infectious process (flu, tonsillitis, diphtheria, scarlet fever), intoxication, systemic autoimmune pathologies. More often develops in young people (see myocarditis).

The disease manifests itself with pain behind the sternum or elsewhere in the region of the heart, interruptions in the work of this muscular organ, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs. Such symptoms may periodically regress and then recur.

Pain/burning associated with food

Thus, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are manifested: esophagitis, foreign bodies in the esophagus, esophageal cancer, gastritis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, intestinal colic. Each disease has its own characteristic symptoms.

So, with damage to the esophagus, pain in the middle of the chest occurs precisely when swallowing.

Inflammation of the stomach makes itself felt with pain that develops after eating, located just below the chest. The suffering of the duodenum, on the contrary, is a pain syndrome that develops on an empty stomach. Pancreatitis and intestinal colic react with pain 1-1.5 hours after eating. Localized pain syndrome with inflammation of the intestines and pancreas is also just below the costal arch.

If it bakes behind the sternum after taking a horizontal position

A strong burning sensation behind the sternum that appears after a person has eaten for half an hour before and then decides to lie down is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, that is, the reflux of food (water) from the stomach into the esophagus (see drugs for heartburn). In addition to retrosternal burning, a person has no loss of appetite, no temperature, no weakness. Only the hoarseness of the voice gradually increases, he begins to periodically “cough up” with a dry cough. If a tumor begins to grow in the esophagus, “burnt through” with acid, a permanent lump appears in the throat, a violation of the passage of first solid, and then liquid food.

Pain associated with breathing

Similarly, on the left side of the chest, pathologies of organs are manifested, whose membranes are in contact with the inside of the ribs. This is inflammation of the heart bag, pleura, the presence of free air in the pleural cavity. The same symptom will be accompanied by intercostal neuralgia, described earlier.

Pericarditis

This disease has two subspecies:

  • Dry pericarditis when outer shell heart (his "bag") is inflamed, while the release of inflammatory fluid does not occur. The disease manifests itself with weakness, cough, pain in the heart area is constant, dull, aggravated by deep breathing, swallowing and coughing. The pain syndrome is a little stopped when taking a sitting position, but intensifies when lying down.
  • Exudative pericarditis is an inflammation of the heart sac, in which it secretes an inflammatory fluid (exudate). It accumulates inside her and, in the case of a large amount, is able to compress the heart and large vessels emerging from it. The disease manifests itself with diffuse squeezing pain in the region of the heart, shortness of breath, fever, hiccups, sensation of a lump in the esophagus when swallowing solid food.

Inflammation of the two-layer "cover" for the lung, like pericarditis, can be dry and effusion. The symptoms of these subspecies are different. The disease occurs only as a complication: either pneumonia, or cancer, or a manifestation of tuberculosis.

Dry left-sided pleurisy will be manifested by stabbing pains in the left side of the chest, radiating to the hypochondrium and abdomen. It intensifies if a person coughs, breathes deeply, and also turns the whole torso. It becomes easier if you lie on the affected side.

If the pleurisy is exudative in nature, that is, an inflammatory fluid appears between the two layers of the “cover”, the symptoms are different. A person feels a dull pain in the chest that increases with breathing (described by the word “heaviness”), shortness of breath increases, weakness is noted, the temperature rises to high numbers, sweating, and a feeling of lack of air.

Pain behind the sternum or in the left side of the chest, not related to anything

  • Prolapse mitral valve and atrial fibrillation - can be manifested by pain behind the sternum. In both cases, the pain is not pronounced, there is no visible connection with breathing, body position, or work performed. Atrial fibrillation requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, as it is a life-threatening condition.
  • aortic disease and pulmonary artery- in a similar way, diseases of large vessels passing in the chest cavity can manifest themselves.
    • Aortic dissection is an extremely life-threatening condition requiring emergency care, manifested by severe, tearing pain in the middle of the chest or with a shift of pain to the left side.
    • Pulmonary embolism, if left conscious, may present with severe pain in breasts that do not respond to nitroglycerin. In addition, there is shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, cough, when the "rusty" sputum leaves.
  • Oncology:
    • Malignant neoplasms of the mediastinal organs - a dull pressing pain that is not associated with breathing, which grows very gradually, a tumor of one of the organs of the chest cavity may appear. It could be lung cancer, pleura, bronchi, myxedema of the heart, metastases to the lymph nodes located in the mediastinum.
    • A tumor in the left mammary gland, if it has grown into the chest, will also be manifested by pain. In this case, the gland must be deformed, a seal fused with tissues can be determined in it, there may be discharge from the nipples (see breast cancer).

Treatment of chest pain

As the causes of the symptom, we have described many diseases, each of which is treated in its own way. Therefore, before proceeding with treatment, you need to establish a diagnosis. Doctors will help with this: a therapist, a gastroenterologist, a pulmonologist, a surgeon, an oncologist or a psychiatrist. Our advice is:

  • When the pain is in the left side or middle of the chest, stop and rest. If this helps, go to the pharmacy and buy "Nitroglycerin" - you will need it for such situations. Make an ECG and be sure to go to an appointment with a therapist or cardiologist.
  • If it becomes hard to breathe along with the pain, call an ambulance.
  • When the pain arose on the left or in the middle, it is strong, open the window, take a semi-sitting position, take Nitroglycerin. If it is not there or it did not help, call an ambulance, but for now, drink (chew) 1-2 tablets of Aspirin (Aspekard, Aspetera, Cardiomagnyl) in a total dose of up to 300 mg.
  • If the pain is more likely in the mammary gland, is associated with menstruation or discharge from the nipples (even in men), you need to visit a mammologist. Such specialists either conduct private appointments or work in local oncology dispensaries.
  • When the pain syndrome is associated with a cough, an x-ray of the lungs or their CT scan, after which the therapist is first visited, who will recommend where to go next - to a pulmonologist, oncologist, gastroenterologist or surgeon.
  • If you have become less able to tolerate physical activity after an infectious disease, urgently contact a cardiologist. On the same day, before the doctor, you can do an ECG and undergo an ultrasound of the heart.
  • Intense, bursting pain despite the fact that during physical exertion nothing bothered you before - a reason to call " ambulance» and talk about a suspected thoracic aortic aneurysm.

In any case, do not take any painkillers before you go to the doctor's appointment - it will be more difficult for him to help you. Eat more fresh vegetables and less meat, walk at least 2 km every day at least at a slow pace and be healthy!

Pain and burning in the chest when coughing

Answers:

katya yulina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvt46pPwHFg watch here and get well.
Good luck and health.)

87055 861691

Good luck and health.)

All-seeing eye

Try to be treated for centuries with proven means, and not with chemistry.
The main methods of treatment are inhalations; rinsing; lubrication of the internal region of the throat; ingestion of antiseptic, tonic and anti-inflammatory drinks.
well treated
Beekeeping products - honey (especially lime, buckwheat), pollen, propolis;
Berries - cranberries, rose hips, lingonberries, sea buckthorn, currants, raspberries, strawberries, wild strawberries;
Oils - eucalyptus, fir, olive.
Teas - hibiscus, green.
Decoctions - ginger, sage, yarrow, chamomile, elecampane, linden, wild rose, raspberry, pine and birch buds.
It is advisable to steam your feet with mustard or take a good steam bath in the sauna.

Burning in the sternum: causes and treatment

Burning in the sternum is an unpleasant sensation that causes discomfort and negatively affects the quality of our life. There are many in the chest various bodies, diseases of which can be manifested by this unpleasant sensation.

Causes of burning in the chest

A common complaint with which a person turns to a doctor is a burning sensation in the sternum in the middle. The causes of these sensations can be very diverse, both requiring no treatment, and more serious. Of the most common, one can note cardiovascular, mental, colds, malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract, osteochondrosis, etc.

Burning in the chest as a sign of diseases of the cardiovascular system

Burning in the sternum on the left is not always a sign of heart disease, as is commonly believed. Such pains are most often localized in the center of the sternum.

Myocardial infarction is a very dangerous disease. The occurrence of a burning sensation in the chest can just be a symptom heart attack. Similar symptoms do not go away even after the person has taken cardiac drug("Nitroglycerin", "Validol"). Unpleasant sensations can be given to different parts of the body: arms, jaws, legs, shoulder blades. In addition, a person is shivering, throws in a cold sweat, he suffers from shortness of breath, the skin turns pale. Sometimes loss of consciousness is possible.

With angina pectoris, there is also a burning sensation in the sternum. The causes of the disease are excessive physical exertion, stress and unrest. Soreness and burning usually disappear in a calm state. A comfortable position of the body, an influx of fresh air and a Nitroglycerin tablet can bring relief. But if a person does not get better, it is necessary to call an ambulance in order to exclude a pre-infarction condition. Heat in the chest is often a symptom of vegetative-vascular dystonia. With such a disease, heart drugs will not improve the condition. Burning often occurs as a result of strong excitement or fear, which are accompanied by the release of adrenaline into the blood. Sedative medications will help to calm down and relieve unpleasant symptoms. To understand which specialist should be contacted with a symptom such as burning in the chest, you need to pay attention to what exactly precedes the occurrence of such a symptom. If these sensations arose after a person experienced a strong shock, was worried, overtired, and cardiac or sedatives helped to eliminate them, then most likely the patient has a malfunction in the cardiovascular system. If you are concerned about a burning sensation in the sternum, a cardiologist or therapist will help determine the causes.

Burning in the thoracic region in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

It would seem that there is no connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. But the fact is that many diseases are well masked, and it seems that the problem is in another organ. For example, a burning sensation in the region of the heart, which becomes stronger when bending over, may be a symptom of a hernia of the alimentary calving of the diaphragm.

Heartburn is a rather unpleasant condition that can spoil the pleasure of delicious food. In this case, the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus, the delicate walls of which are irritated by gastric juice. A person feels a burning sensation in the sternum and throat, it can occur immediately after eating or after half an hour, and even on an empty stomach. The heat in the chest can last for a few minutes or an hour.

Burning, nausea and vomiting may be signs of cholecystitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, obstruction biliary tract. Diseases of the spleen, kidneys, biliary tract are accompanied by similar symptoms.

Severe burning causes the accumulation of stones in the bile ducts and bladder. Pain and burning in the sternum on the right can be a symptom calculous cholecystitis. All these conditions are the reason for contacting a gastroenterologist.

Back problems and burning

The most common cause of burning is osteochondrosis. The pinched nerve roots lead to a feeling of discomfort in the region of the heart. The symptoms of angina pectoris and osteochondrosis are similar. The difference is that physical activity and osteochondrosis are not connected, and in a calm state, unpleasant symptoms do not disappear. A person tends to take a position in which discomfort is minimal. In this case, you will need to consult a neurologist or therapist.

Similar symptoms can be observed with scoliosis and curvature of the spine. You need to consult a neurologist. A set of special exercises will help to alleviate the condition.

Heat in the sternum with menopause

During menopause, along with such a phenomenon as "hot flashes", women often feel a burning sensation in the chest. To alleviate the condition, you need to contact a gynecologist. Taking sedatives will significantly improve your well-being and help you survive such an unpleasant period.

Diseases of the respiratory system

Burning in the sternum on the right usually occurs with diseases of the respiratory system and lungs. Unpleasant sensations occur when deep breath, sneezing or coughing. If it is a common cold, then the burning sensation and soreness may disappear after a course of medication and bed rest. But sometimes a person's condition worsens so much that serious problems arise in the functioning of the organs of the respiratory system.

Inflammation of the lungs is a very formidable respiratory disease that can affect one lung or both. In severe cases it is possible fatal outcome, especially when improper treatment. The main symptoms of pneumonia are fever, pain and burning in the chest, coughing and wheezing. Burning in the chest with lung diseases provokes inflammation of the pleura and accumulation of fluid in pleural cavity. In addition, burning can occur with an abscess, gangrene of the lung tissue. In this case, there may not be a cough, but when the contents of the cavity break through into the bronchial tree, purulent sputum is released. Sometimes, with inflammation of the lungs, a burning sensation may appear in the sternum in the middle. The reasons for this condition in the development of bilateral inflammation.

mental illness

Similar symptoms in mental illness are rare. As a result of severe stress, frustration, experiences, a burning sensation appears in the sternum. The psychotherapist will help determine the reasons and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Treatment

If the cause of the burning sensation is heart disease, electrocardiography and ultrasound of the heart will be required. After the doctor establishes the cause of discomfort, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

In the event that the problem arose due to diseases respiratory organs, you will need to take antibiotics, which the doctor should prescribe.

In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by a burning sensation in the chest, there is a need for the use of drugs that protect the gastric mucosa.

From the above, it can be seen that such an unpleasant sensation as a burning sensation in the sternum, the causes of which can be very diverse, requires a thorough examination. You should not start possible diseases, the sooner treatment begins, the easier it will be to get rid of the problem.

What to do and what to be afraid of when the chest starts to hurt during coughing attacks?

Very often, coughing attacks are accompanied by pain in the chest area. Some patients simply do not pay attention to such a condition, and do not even think about why there is chest pain when coughing. At the same time, there can be many reasons for such manifestations, and in most cases they indicate the course of any diseases in the human body. In such cases, the main task of the patient and doctors is to timely determine the presence of violations in the functioning of certain organs and systems, and to conduct appropriate treatment.

Why are coughing attacks accompanied by pain?

Chest pain when coughing is not considered normal and inevitably indicates certain disorders. Pain can occur in such cases:

It is impossible to let the disease take its course, since often chest pain that appears on the background of a cold may indicate damage to the mucous membrane, lung tissue or pleura.

Diagnosis of emerging pain

With a deterioration in health, which is manifested by coughing and chest pains, it is necessary to visit such doctors as a pulmonologist, therapist, neurologist. In the case when the cause of the pain cannot be established, doctors can use a detailed x-ray of the lungs for diagnosis, general analysis blood, sputum culture, tuberculin test, blood test for the presence of a viral or bacterial infection.

To exclude the presence of a tumor in the lungs, it is necessary to make a puncture of the lung tissue to histological examination. If you suspect such diseases as tracheitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, SARS, x-ray of the lungs and sputum analysis are prescribed.

Having studied the indicators of a detailed blood test, it is possible to determine the depth of the inflammatory process in the organs of the respiratory system.

What measures to take?

If coughing attacks occur that cause pain in the sternum, you can slightly alleviate the patient's condition. But it is worth abandoning self-treatment in cases where the cause of such a process is unknown. If the patient knows that the pain in the chest when coughing is due to stretching of the muscles, a warming ointment can be used. You need to buy an ointment as prescribed by a doctor, apply it to a sore spot and rub it well so that the affected area is hot. Such actions must be done for 3 days, during which time the inflammatory process will be removed.

It is also recommended to take drugs that suppress coughing attacks or drugs that increase the amount of sputum and promote its discharge. Chest pain when coughing, in any case, is an indicator of disorders occurring in the functioning of the body, which is why it is important to contact a specialist as soon as possible.

Chest pain when coughing: possible causes

An attack of coughing is often accompanied by pain in the chest. The reasons for this state of affairs are many. Chest pain when coughing can be a sign of a severe inflammatory process occurring 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 field of the cardiovascular system, etc.

Causes

Consider the most common causes of chest pain when coughing:

  • SARS, seasonal flu, etc.
  • Bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia.
  • Emphysema of the lungs.
  • Diphtheria.
  • Epiglottitis.
  • Bronchial asthma.
  • Allergic reactions.
  • Foreign body.
  • Pulmonary embolism.
  • Rib fractures.
  • Intercostal neuralgia.
  • Tumors of various origins (benign and malignant).
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Cardiovascular diseases.

Consider some diseases in which a similar symptom occurs in more detail.

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. When the pleura becomes inflamed, pleurisy occurs. It can be exudative, with accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, and dry.

Pleurisy is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Dry cough, chest pain, shortness of breath.
  • Weakness and increased sweating, usually at night.
  • The temperature is subfebrile, rarely rises to high numbers.
  • If the patient lies on the affected side, then the pain sensations are slightly reduced, since the respiratory movements are limited.

With exudative pleurisy (in case of accumulation of fluid), shortness of breath increases. And if pleurisy turns into a purulent form, the temperature rises sharply.

Used to treat this disease antibiotic therapy, 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 when coughing is also characteristic. Especially if croupous pneumonia develops with damage to a 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 also appears with a deep breath. Shortness of breath occurs in the patient from the first days.

The patient's condition is deteriorating. In addition to the symptoms described - chest pain, cough, fever - red spots may appear that are visible 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 be coughed up, at first transparent, then it becomes the color of rust.

Symptoms may worsen over two weeks. Then, with proper treatment, the crisis passes, and gradually the patient becomes better. Croupous pneumonia is very serious illness. It is treated with antibiotics only. Sometimes several are used at the same time. antibacterial drugs. Before the advent of antibiotics, this disease was very often fatal.

Colds

Chest pain when coughing can be caused by colds caused by viruses or bacteria. These diseases include:

  • SARS.
  • Flu.
  • Whooping cough.
  • Tracheitis.
  • Bronchitis etc.

These diseases are characterized by the following symptoms: cough, chest pain, runny nose (with bronchitis and tracheitis it may not be). In addition, the patient is worried about weakness, chills, there is an increase in temperature, sometimes up to 38-39 degrees and above. Often patients say that they have a feeling as if someone is scratching their chest from the inside. With the start of treatment, these sensations gradually disappear. With bronchitis, the patient is often tormented by a strong cough, while chest pain intensifies.

Antiviral therapy is used for influenza and SARS. In the presence of a runny nose, vasoconstrictor drugs (drops, sprays) are used. Antibiotics may 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 are aggravated by deep inspiration and may be unbearable, according to patients.

With intercostal neuralgia, it is important not to confuse this disease with angina attacks or other heart diseases.

chest injury

These include bruises and broken ribs. Pain sensations are sharply expressed, with any movements they intensify. It is important not to confuse them with pain in osteochondrosis. For this, a chest x-ray is taken. Similar symptoms are sometimes given by injuries of the shoulder joint (subluxations, dislocations, fractures).

With fractures of the lungs or other injuries (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 expanding when inhaled. This condition usually requires surgery.

Sometimes there may be a small spontaneous pneumothorax It resolves on its own and does not require treatment.

Lungs' cancer

In this tumor process, uncontrolled growth of pathological cells in the tissues of the lung occurs. The process can also affect nearby organs. It is important to identify the pathology as soon as possible and take urgent measures. Therefore, all citizens are recommended to undergo fluorography or 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 aggravated heredity, living in ecologically unfavorable areas, working in hazardous industries, etc.

Pain in the chest with lung cancer is tingling, sharp. They can encircle the entire chest or be located only on 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 are aggravated by any movement.

When such symptoms occur, the cause of discomfort and pain should be identified. To do this, you need to seek medical help. Only a specialist will establish their true cause and prescribe the correct treatment.