Pain that occurs only when breathing can be caused by conditions affecting the tissues around the lungs rather than the lungs themselves, as the lungs lack pain receptors. Common causes include inflammation or injury to the chest muscles, ribs, or pleura (the tissue surrounding the lungs). One condition that causes sharp chest pain specifically when breathing is pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the pleura and often results in sharp pain worsened by deep breaths, coughing, or movement. Another possibility is precordial catch syndrome, a benign condition causing sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing but resolves quickly. If the pain only happens during breathing and is sharp or stabbing, pleurisy or musculoskeletal causes are likely suspects. It's important to seek immediate medical attention if pain is accompanied by symptoms like chest tightness spreading to other areas, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, or blue discoloration of skin or nails, as these could signal more serious conditions such as heart attack or pulmonary embolism. For mild cases like pleurisy, treatments often include pain relief with anti- inflammatory drugs and rest, while more severe causes require specific medical intervention. In summary:
- Pain with breathing often comes from inflammation or injury of chest tissues (pleurisy, muscle strain)
- Lungs themselves do not feel pain
- Serious symptoms alongside pain warrant urgent medical care
- Benign causes like precordial catch syndrome cause brief sharp pain on breathing without lasting harm.
