Burning sensation in lungs: Causes and treatments

A burning sensation in the lungs or chest can happen for many reasons, ranging from heartburn to a pulmonary embolism or lung cancer. Chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack.

A burning pain in the chest area can be concerning, particularly if the cause is unknown. However, many causes are relatively benign.

In this article, we look at some of the common causes of a burning sensation in the lungs and explain when a person needs emergency medical help.

We also look at the current evidence linking burning chest pain to COVID-19, the disease that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causes.

Pain in the chest might be related to any of the organs and systems in that part of the body. These include the ribcage, lungs, heart, and esophagus (food pipe), which is the tube that connects the throat and stomach.

It is not unusual to experience a burning sensation in the lungs, and it is not usually anything serious. However, in some cases, it may be a sign of a heart attack.

A heart attack happens when the heart stops receiving the oxygen-rich blood that it needs to survive. This medical emergency requires immediate attention.

Symptoms of a heart attack in males

For males, the symptoms of a heart attack might include:

• pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, which may feel like burning, pressure, or squeezing
• pain that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes over time
• pain or discomfort in one or both arms or the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• shortness of breath
• cold sweat
• nausea
• lightheadedness

Symptoms of a heart attack in females

As well as experiencing chest pain or discomfort, a female who is having a heart attack is more likely to experience:

• shortness of breath
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the jaw
• pain in the back

People should call 911 right away if they or someone else is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

A diverse range of factors can cause burning pain in the chest.

Heartburn

Heartburn, or acid indigestion, happens when stomach acid rises into the esophagus.

It can cause a painful, burning sensation in the chest, neck, throat, or jaw. If the pain goes away when the person belches, heartburn is the likely cause.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help ease the symptoms of heartburn.

Chest infection

Common colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia are all examples of chest infections. As well as chest pain, common symptoms include:

• cough
• fever
• chills
• shortness of breath
• tiredness

Doctors may recommend antibiotics to treat a bacterial chest infection.

Asthma attack

Asthma is a long-term condition. People with asthma have inflamed bronchial tubes. These are the passageways that carry air in and out of the lungs.

An asthma attack happens when the muscles around the tubes tighten, making the air passages really narrow.

A person who is having an asthma attack may feel as though someone is sitting on their chest.

The episode might last just a few minutes and get better on its own, or it might go on for hours. Sometimes, people find it so hard to breathe that they need to go to the hospital for treatment.

People with asthma usually have an inhaler that helps relax the muscles around the tubes, allowing air to get in and out of the lungs more easily.

Less common conditions may also cause a burning sensation in the lungs.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the arteries that supply the lungs with the blood they need to survive.

Deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the leg, is a common cause of a pulmonary embolism. The pulmonary embolism happens if a blood clot breaks loose, starts circulating the body, and gets stuck in a lung artery, blocking the blood flow.

It is a very serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the lungs and other organs.

The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism might include:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• coughing up blood

Doctors will usually treat the problem with medication to thin the blood or dissolve the clot.

They may also recommend a catheter-assisted thrombus removal. This surgical procedure involves using a flexible tube to reach into the lung and remove the clot.

Lung cancer

In rare cases, a burning sensation in the chest may be a sign of lung cancer.

The symptoms are different for everyone, and some people will have no symptoms at all. Those who do might experience:

• a pain in the chest that gets worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
• a cough that does not go away or keeps getting worse
• appetite loss
• tiredness or weakness
• wheezing
• chest infections that keep coming back

The type and severity of the cancer will determine the treatment options.

Treatment will usually involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Sometimes, treatment is not appropriate, and doctors will focus on alleviating the symptoms of the cancer.

Researchers do not yet know whether COVID-19 can cause burning chest pain, but some scientists have noticed a link between this symptom and the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chest pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19.

Other symptoms may include:

• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath
• new loss of taste or smell
• tiredness
• muscle aches
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a stuffy or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

To determine why a person is experiencing a burning pain in their chest, a doctor will first ask them about the symptoms and their personal and family’s medical history.

They may use a stethoscope to listen to the chest and carry out blood tests, X-rays, and other tests.

If the doctor suspects COVID-19, they will ask the person to take a swab test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

OTC pain relief medications can help ease mild chest pain if it is due to heartburn, but in most cases, people should consider speaking to a doctor.

The American Heart Association (AHA) advise that people who experience heartburn can reduce their symptoms by:

• avoiding alcohol and cigarettes
• refraining from taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication
• avoiding drinking citrus juices
• stopping eating a few hours before bedtime
• raising the head of the bed by about 6 inches, if heartburn occurs at night
• taking OTC medications for indigestion

There are many possible causes of a burning sensation in the chest. Most are nothing to worry about, such as heartburn.

However, some are a medical emergency, such as a heart attack.

Anyone who thinks that they or someone else might be having a heart attack should call 911 right away.

Doctors are not yet sure whether chest pain is a symptom of COVID-19, but some believe that it is.

Anyone who suspects that they have COVID-19 should talk to a doctor.

Burning sensation in lungs: Causes and treatments

A burning sensation in the lungs or chest can happen for many reasons, ranging from heartburn to a pulmonary embolism or lung cancer. Chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack.

A burning pain in the chest area can be concerning, particularly if the cause is unknown. However, many causes are relatively benign.

In this article, we look at some of the common causes of a burning sensation in the lungs and explain when a person needs emergency medical help.

We also look at the current evidence linking burning chest pain to COVID-19, the disease that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causes.

Pain in the chest might be related to any of the organs and systems in that part of the body. These include the ribcage, lungs, heart, and esophagus (food pipe), which is the tube that connects the throat and stomach.

It is not unusual to experience a burning sensation in the lungs, and it is not usually anything serious. However, in some cases, it may be a sign of a heart attack.

A heart attack happens when the heart stops receiving the oxygen-rich blood that it needs to survive. This medical emergency requires immediate attention.

Symptoms of a heart attack in males

For males, the symptoms of a heart attack might include:

• pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, which may feel like burning, pressure, or squeezing
• pain that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes over time
• pain or discomfort in one or both arms or the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• shortness of breath
• cold sweat
• nausea
• lightheadedness

Symptoms of a heart attack in females

As well as experiencing chest pain or discomfort, a female who is having a heart attack is more likely to experience:

• shortness of breath
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the jaw
• pain in the back

People should call 911 right away if they or someone else is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.

A diverse range of factors can cause burning pain in the chest.

Heartburn

Heartburn, or acid indigestion, happens when stomach acid rises into the esophagus.

It can cause a painful, burning sensation in the chest, neck, throat, or jaw. If the pain goes away when the person belches, heartburn is the likely cause.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help ease the symptoms of heartburn.

Chest infection

Common colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia are all examples of chest infections. As well as chest pain, common symptoms include:

• cough
• fever
• chills
• shortness of breath
• tiredness

Doctors may recommend antibiotics to treat a bacterial chest infection.

Asthma attack

Asthma is a long-term condition. People with asthma have inflamed bronchial tubes. These are the passageways that carry air in and out of the lungs.

An asthma attack happens when the muscles around the tubes tighten, making the air passages really narrow.

A person who is having an asthma attack may feel as though someone is sitting on their chest.

The episode might last just a few minutes and get better on its own, or it might go on for hours. Sometimes, people find it so hard to breathe that they need to go to the hospital for treatment.

People with asthma usually have an inhaler that helps relax the muscles around the tubes, allowing air to get in and out of the lungs more easily.

Less common conditions may also cause a burning sensation in the lungs.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the arteries that supply the lungs with the blood they need to survive.

Deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the leg, is a common cause of a pulmonary embolism. The pulmonary embolism happens if a blood clot breaks loose, starts circulating the body, and gets stuck in a lung artery, blocking the blood flow.

It is a very serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the lungs and other organs.

The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism might include:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• coughing up blood

Doctors will usually treat the problem with medication to thin the blood or dissolve the clot.

They may also recommend a catheter-assisted thrombus removal. This surgical procedure involves using a flexible tube to reach into the lung and remove the clot.

Lung cancer

In rare cases, a burning sensation in the chest may be a sign of lung cancer.

The symptoms are different for everyone, and some people will have no symptoms at all. Those who do might experience:

• a pain in the chest that gets worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
• a cough that does not go away or keeps getting worse
• appetite loss
• tiredness or weakness
• wheezing
• chest infections that keep coming back

The type and severity of the cancer will determine the treatment options.

Treatment will usually involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Sometimes, treatment is not appropriate, and doctors will focus on alleviating the symptoms of the cancer.

Researchers do not yet know whether COVID-19 can cause burning chest pain, but some scientists have noticed a link between this symptom and the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chest pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19.

Other symptoms may include:

• fever or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath
• new loss of taste or smell
• tiredness
• muscle aches
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a stuffy or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

To determine why a person is experiencing a burning pain in their chest, a doctor will first ask them about the symptoms and their personal and family’s medical history.

They may use a stethoscope to listen to the chest and carry out blood tests, X-rays, and other tests.

If the doctor suspects COVID-19, they will ask the person to take a swab test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

OTC pain relief medications can help ease mild chest pain if it is due to heartburn, but in most cases, people should consider speaking to a doctor.

The American Heart Association (AHA) advise that people who experience heartburn can reduce their symptoms by:

• avoiding alcohol and cigarettes
• refraining from taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication
• avoiding drinking citrus juices
• stopping eating a few hours before bedtime
• raising the head of the bed by about 6 inches, if heartburn occurs at night
• taking OTC medications for indigestion

There are many possible causes of a burning sensation in the chest. Most are nothing to worry about, such as heartburn.

However, some are a medical emergency, such as a heart attack.

Anyone who thinks that they or someone else might be having a heart attack should call 911 right away.

Doctors are not yet sure whether chest pain is a symptom of COVID-19, but some believe that it is.

Anyone who suspects that they have COVID-19 should talk to a doctor.

Burning in the back in the spine: causes and treatment, burning sensation of the skin in the lower back

Articles

Reading time 10 min

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Burning in the back can be a manifestation of diseases of the spine, internal organs or nerve fibers. Usually this symptom does not disappear at rest and is accompanied by soreness. In the article we will talk about burning in the back in the spine, causes, diagnosis and treatment features.

Men and women of all ages complain of burning in the back, from the young to the elderly and elderly. They describe the symptoms as “intense fever”, “electric shock”, “burning-warm pain”, or “ice-cold pain”. Often such painful sensations appear after hypothermia, intense training or weight lifting.

Do not treat burning in the back on your own or wait until it passes – this can lead to complications. See your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we will tell you how patients with problems of the spine and nervous system are treated without surgery at the Temed Clinic in Moscow and other cities.

This article is a recommendation. Treatment is prescribed by a specialist after consultation.

What does burning in the back mean: the main causes

There are receptors in the skin – sensitive nerve endings. Normally, they transmit information from the skin to the brain along nerve fibers: they report pressure, temperature, light touch or prick. Burning sensation appears when nerve endings and fibers:

• 1

  irritated by various substances, for example, metabolic products in case of insufficient blood supply to tissues or high concentration of glucose in diabetes mellitus

• 2

  squeezed by deformed vertebrae or tense paravertebral muscles

Rice. 1 Location of sensitive nerve endings in the skin

A burning sensation can be triggered by various factors: heavy lifting, sudden movements, trauma. Burning is possible after skin contact with a cold object.

Burning in the back occurs in various conditions and diseases. These include:

• Scoliosis and other postural disorders – due to the deformation of the spinal column, paravertebral muscles are strained, more often on one side

• Sleeping in an uncomfortable position – immobilized joints and stiff muscles compress nerve fibers and vessels that pass nearby. At the same time, the burning sensation disappears with a change in posture

• Autoimmune diseases – for example, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis affect peripheral nerves

  Tumors of the spine if they obstruct the lumen spinal canal and compress the nerve roots

• Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine – bone growths of the vertebrae can cause a burning sensation in the back with osteochondrosis

• Radiculopathy – burning pain in the back can be caused by compression of the spinal root by a hernia or protrusion of the intervertebral disc

9002 8

Intercostal neuralgia can be manifested not only by pain, but and burning in the back, side or chest

• Herpes zoster is a herpetic infection in which itchy and painful blisters appear on the skin of the back on one side, left or right

• Circulatory disorders in the brain — one of the symptoms of a stroke can be a burning sensation, and not only on the back, but also on one half of the body

• Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine diseases affect nerve endings and fibers, leading to neuropathic, burning pain in the extremities

• Diseases of the internal organs can be manifested by pain and burning in the back

• Constant stressful situations – stress hormones are released and increase a person’s susceptibility to pain, including in the chest and back

• Mental disorders in which a person feels a burning sensation in different parts of the body

Symptoms that accompany burning in the back

Frequent localization of the burning sensation in the spine – in the middle of the back, between the shoulder blades. But it also appears in the lumbar region, and in the neck, and in the chest. Burning can move to the left or right side, to the stomach. Usually, the burning sensation does not depend on the position of the body and is aggravated by coughing, bending over, or eating, when food passes through the esophagus.

Burning often appears on the background of pain. Patients describe such pain in different ways:

• discomfort

• fever

• electric shock

• stabs, shoots, scalds

Burning sensation in the back may be temporary, harmless, for example, after sleeping in an uncomfortable position or severe stress. Such burning goes away on its own. But the discomfort in the back is often permanent, and other serious symptoms join the pain and burning sensation:

• Depression, anxiety, insomnia

• Lack of appetite

• Tingling, crawling in the back, legs or arms

• Itching or numbness of the back skin

• Muscle weakness

• Violation of temperature sensitivity in the burning area

• Fever

• Local increase in back skin temperature

• Constant crunching in the back when moving

These symptoms may indicate a herniated disc, intercostal neuralgia, diseases of the heart, lungs and other pathologies. If you are concerned about burning or any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible so that complications do not arise.

Diagnostics for burning in the back

If you have problems with burning and back pain, you can contact a general practitioner or a neurologist. After consultation, if necessary, the doctor refers the patient to another specialist: a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a psychotherapist, an orthopedic traumatologist, an oncologist. A burning sensation in the lower back in women is a reason for consulting a nephrologist or gynecologist.

Diagnosis of burning in the back is reduced to finding the cause. At the Temed Clinic, the examination begins with an initial appointment with a neurologist. To understand the cause of a burning sensation in the back, the doctor examines the patient and asks questions:

• about symptoms
• about whether the patient takes drugs and for how long
• about back injuries
• about similar pathology in relatives
• about working and leisure conditions

During the examination, the doctor examines the symmetry of the shoulders and shoulder blades, the range of motion in the spine, muscle tone, palpates the back to detect muscle tension and pain, assesses the neurological status.

The neurologist decides whether a consultation with another specialist is needed and prescribes the necessary examinations, which may include:

• Radiography of the spine in two projections. X-ray shows bone abnormalities

• CT scan or MRI thoracic, cervical or lumbar. These methods accurately detect changes in the spine and chest, blood vessels, nerves

• Ultrasound soft tissues of the back, internal organs, small pelvis in women blood test. Urinalysis is prescribed for pain and burning in the lower back in men and women

Book a consultation with a neurologist

Appointment lasts 60 minutes, includes diagnostics, analysis of your MRI and preparation of a treatment plan, takes place both in person and online.

Treatment of burning in the back

The doctors of our Clinic treat burning in the back, which is caused by osteochondrosis, herniated disc and other diseases of the spine and nervous system. Specialists use complex conservative treatment, which usually begins with a course of drug therapy. Its purpose is to relieve inflammation, anesthetize and relax tense back muscles. To do this, prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants or glucocorticoids.

• Physiotherapy enhances the effect of drugs. The Temed Clinic actively uses modern methods:

  • magnetic therapy to reduce pain, swelling and speed up the metabolism in the affected area
  • laser therapy, which acts on the focus of inflammation, restores damaged tissues
  • shock wave therapy to remove calcium salt deposits soft tissue, improve local blood flow

• Therapeutic exercise, massage and manual therapy are effective additional methods. They help strengthen the back muscles, maintain proper posture, and improve joint mobility.

• taping brings good results : special tapes on the skin of the back distribute the load on the muscles. Another effective method is acupuncture, which helps to relieve pain and relax the muscles.

Burning complications in the back

The burning sensation may go away on its own. But if it is caused by some disease and the patient ignores the symptom, complications may develop. For example, a herniated disc can enlarge and compress the spinal nerve roots. Herpes zoster can cause severe neuralgia – debilitating constant back pain. A stroke can lead to paralysis, dysfunction of the pelvic organs.

Prevention of diseases that cause burning in the back

To prevent the development of diseases of the spine, muscles and peripheral nerves, you need to:

• Move during the day, do a warm-up

• Avoid hypothermia and injuries

90 028

Monitor posture

• Monitor body weight

• Add more vegetables, fruits, water to the diet

• Regularly undergo age-appropriate examinations

• Choose a mattress and pillow that is comfortable to lie on

• Give up bad habits

To sum up

1

Burning in the back is not dangerous and goes away on its own. But persistent burning pain can indicate intercostal neuralgia, a herniated disc, heart disease, and other pathologies

List of sources:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/back-pain/burning-sensation-in-upper-back
2. Danilov A.B., Danilov Al.B. Pain management. Biopsychosocial approach. – M.: AMM PRESS, 2016. – 636 p. N.N. Yakhno, M.L. Kukushkin. First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow. Bulletin of RAMN. 2012; 9:54–58.

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why it occurs and what to do if it hurts in the chest when coughing

Published: March 24

Updated: May 31

Reading time: 4 minutes

Chest cough is the main symptom of inflammation in the airways and bronchitis. With such a cough, a person experiences an unpleasant sensation of sputum appearing in the chest area. If timely treatment of chest cough is not carried out, it can lead to complications, such as pleurisy, pneumonia.

Symptoms of chest cough

Depending on the type, course, severity of the disease, chest cough may occur together with the following symptoms:

• sore throat, burning;
• wheezing during or after coughing;
• chest pain;
• coryza;
• fever, elevated body temperature;
• weakness, general malaise, loss of appetite;
• hoarseness of voice;
• chills;
• headache;
• labored breathing;
• sweating;
• myalgia of the legs, arms, back;
• shortness of breath even with slight exertion.

The appearance of one or more of these symptoms should serve as a signal for immediate medical attention to determine the diagnosis and begin treatment. Otherwise, the risk of complications increases. The primary diagnosis is carried out by the therapist, then, if necessary, refers to highly specialized specialists.

Deep chest cough may be acute or chronic. Acute appears against the background of a cold, passes within 1-3 weeks. In the early days of a respiratory infection, coughing may be due to virus-induced inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, which can progress if left untreated with further spread to the lower respiratory tract: bronchi, lung tissue. A prolonged cough is characteristic of a chronic pathology of the respiratory system; the patient may experience it for several months. Relapses occur most often in winter and in the off-season. By the nature of chest cough can be:

• unproductive (dry) is a chest cough without expectoration;
• unproductive — characterized by a small amount of sputum difficult to separate;
• productive (wet) – with sputum, which is excreted intensively.

Causes of chest cough

Severe chest cough can be caused by infectious diseases or other factors. The most common reasons include:

• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• tracheitis;
• laryngitis;
• pharyngitis;
• inflammation of the nasopharynx – sinusitis, tonsillitis;
• allergy;
• asthma;
• bad habits;
• oncology;
• parasitic infections;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• inhalation of dusty, smoky or toxic air.

Only a consultation with a doctor and a detailed examination will help to determine exactly why coughing hurts in the chest area. The reasons can also be pathologies in which volumetric formations of other organs press on the airways, or fibrosing processes occur in the lungs.

Treatment of chest cough

After examination and examination, the doctor prescribes remedies for chest cough, based on the causes and course of the disease. Treatment should be carried out in a complex manner and should be aimed both at reducing the severity of symptoms and at eliminating the underlying cause of the disease .

The patient is prescribed bed rest, stay at home until complete recovery. The air in the room should be moderately humidified. It is recommended to drink plenty of warm fortified drinks: berry fruit drinks, juices, compotes, herbal teas. If the cough is unproductive, dry, it is advisable to drink non-carbonated mineral water, milk with soda. As prescribed by the doctor, the patient can do breathing exercises to help expel sputum and cleanse the bronchi.

The doctor may prescribe medicines taking into account the nature and nature of the cough: antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antihistamines, mucolytics, drugs that restore bronchial patency. To alleviate the condition, it is recommended to use drugs that promote sputum discharge, reduce inflammation.

Rengalin is indicated for productive and non-productive cough. It has a three-component composition, due to which the activity of the cough center is regulated, it has an anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator effect. Rengalin is combined with other antitussive drugs – mucolytics, secretolytics. The drug is suitable for adults and children from the age of three, it is produced in two forms: an oral solution and lozenges.

Physiotherapy and herbal medicine may also be indicated for chest cough. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can use mustard plasters and compresses in the absence of allergies. If the disease acquires a complicated course, or the patient’s condition is acute and requires urgent therapeutic measures, such as an asthma attack, acute stenosing laryngotracheitis, urgent hospitalization is required.

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Rengalin is the most prescribed antitussive drug.