What causes rib or chest pain when breathing?
If you feel a sharp pain in the chest or rib area while breathing, you are probably having an anxiety attack or a muscle strain, the symptom may be due to trauma/injury.
In some clinical cases, this symptom is an indication of such pathologies as:
- Pneumonia;
- Pericarditis;
- Pleurisy;
- Pneumothorax;
- Costochondritis;
- Heart attack.
Depending on the underlying cause, the symptom management method is different - sometimes the pathology is even life-threatening and requires urgent medical intervention; That is why, if you notice pain during breathing, be sure to consult a doctor and determine the underlying cause.
You should also consult a doctor when the pain is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing;
- A feeling of tightness or pain in the chest;
- Acute respiratory failure;
- Lack of air;
- Sudden dizziness;
- Fever;
- Heavy sweating.
Source:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sharp-pain-when-breathing#contacting-a-doctor
