Table of contents:
- What causes back pain when breathing?
- 1. Injury
- 2. Lung infection
- 3. Pulmonary embolism
- 4. Obesity
- How to deal with back pain while breathing
- 1. Live a healthy lifestyle
- 2. Don't burden your back
- 3. Stop smoking
Back pain is one of the most common conditions. The American Chiropractic Association states that more back pain is experienced by women than men. Back pain is usually concentrated in the area around the spine, making it difficult for the upper body to move. But in some cases, many people also complain of back pain when breathing. What caused it? Check out the reviews in this article.
What causes back pain when breathing?
The following are the various causes of back pain when breathing the most common, namely:
1. Injury
Injury to the thoracic ribs from sprains, fractures, or hitting a hard object can cause back pain when breathing. Complaints of pain can also be caused by injury to the muscles, ligaments, and structures that support the spine. An abnormal shape of the spine, such as in scoliosis, lordosis, or kyphosis can also cause back pain when you inhale.
2. Lung infection
Lung infections can make it difficult for you to breathe smoothly. For example, if you have pneumonia, which can cause a sensation of shortness of breath and fever. The longer the symptoms last, the more often you will experience pain with each breath.
3. Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot flowing to the lungs from the legs, or it could be from other parts of the body such as the pelvis, arms, or heart (deep vein thrombosis). This condition can cause you to feel pain every time you take a breath.
4. Obesity
Back pain when breathing is also often experienced by people who are overweight or obese. Being overweight can put tremendous pressure on your spine and block your airway, which in turn can cause you to become short of breath.
If you are still unsure about what causes your back to hurt when you breathe, it's a good idea to consult a doctor immediately so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.
How to deal with back pain while breathing
The methods below will help you reduce or relieve back pain when you breathe, making it easier for you to move around and do your activities again.
1. Live a healthy lifestyle
Make sure you eat a balanced diet. This is important so that you do not become obese, which can make your back hurt. Do not forget that you should also be physically active. Regular aerobic physical exercise can increase the capacity of your heart and lungs so that you don't sweat easily.
Consult with your doctor first about physical exercise that is right for your condition. Don't let the physical exercise that you do actually aggravate your condition.
2. Don't burden your back
Avoiding strenuous activities that put a strain on your back is a wise choice for dealing with your back while breathing. So, make sure you do not force lift or carry heavy objects without using assistance. Whenever possible, it is better to push than to pull or carry heavy objects. If you have to pick up an item that has fallen down, crouch down to pick it up.
3. Stop smoking
Most people do not realize that smoking can actually cause back pain when breathing. The reason is, smoking narrows blood vessels which reduces the intake of oxygen and nutrients to the bones. As a result, smokers will more easily experience back pain or pain. That is why, stop smoking right now if you want to prevent back pain from recurring.
The good news is, most cases of back pain can go away with rest, physical therapy, and doing simple physical activities at home. However, if your complaints do not get better or they get worse, consult a doctor immediately so that you can get the right treatment.