What causes lung pain in the back. How to recognize symptoms of atelectasis and pneumothorax. When should you seek medical attention for back pain related to lung issues.

Common Causes of Lung-Related Back Pain

Experiencing pain in the back area of your lungs can be concerning and may stem from various causes. While the lungs themselves have few pain receptors, discomfort often originates from surrounding structures or referred pain from other conditions. Let’s explore some common reasons for lung-related back pain:

• Infections (pleurisy, pneumonia)
• Injuries (rib fractures, chest trauma)
• Chronic conditions (asthma, COPD)
• Cancer
• Blood clots (pulmonary embolism)
• Structural issues (scoliosis)

Lung Cancer and Back Pain: A Potential Early Warning Sign

Back pain can sometimes be an early indicator of lung cancer. Approximately 25% of lung cancer patients experience back pain as one of their initial symptoms. If you’re experiencing persistent back pain along with other symptoms, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional. Other common signs of lung cancer include:

• Persistent cough that worsens over time
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Recurrent respiratory infections

Is back pain always a sign of lung cancer? No, back pain can have many causes unrelated to cancer. However, if you’re experiencing back pain along with other respiratory symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions.

Pneumothorax: Understanding Collapsed Lung Symptoms

A pneumothorax, commonly known as a collapsed lung, occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall. This condition can cause sudden, sharp chest pain and difficulty breathing. In some cases, the pain may radiate to the back.

Symptoms of Pneumothorax:

• Sudden, sharp chest pain that may extend to the back
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Bluish skin color due to lack of oxygen
• Fatigue

Can a collapsed lung heal on its own? Small pneumothoraces may heal without intervention, but larger ones often require medical treatment. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a collapsed lung.

Atelectasis: When Lung Air Sacs Collapse

Atelectasis is a condition where part of the lung collapses or doesn’t expand properly. This can result in breathing difficulties and chest discomfort that may extend to the back. Atelectasis can occur due to various reasons, including:

• Airway blockages
• Fluid buildup in the lungs
• Pressure on the lungs from outside
• Weakened breathing muscles

How does atelectasis differ from pneumothorax? While both conditions involve collapsed lung tissue, atelectasis typically affects the air sacs within the lung, whereas pneumothorax involves air in the space around the lung.

Pleurisy: Inflammation of the Lung Lining

Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is an inflammation of the pleura, the double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs. This condition can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing and may extend to the back. Pleurisy can result from various underlying conditions, including:

• Viral or bacterial infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary embolism

Why does pleurisy cause pain in the back? As the inflamed pleural layers rub against each other during breathing, it can cause pain that radiates to the back, shoulders, or neck.

Pulmonary Embolism: A Medical Emergency

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot lodges in one of the arteries in the lungs. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain that may extend to the upper back
• Cough, sometimes with bloody sputum
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting

How quickly should you seek medical help for a suspected pulmonary embolism? If you suspect a pulmonary embolism, call emergency services immediately. Quick treatment can be life-saving.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Back Pain

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that obstruct airflow and make breathing difficult. While COPD primarily affects the lungs, it can also lead to back pain due to several factors:

• Increased work of breathing leading to muscle strain
• Poor posture from difficulty breathing
• Osteoporosis, which is common in COPD patients
• Referred pain from the diaphragm

Can improving posture help with COPD-related back pain? Yes, maintaining good posture and engaging in appropriate exercises can help alleviate back pain associated with COPD. However, it’s essential to work with a healthcare provider to develop a safe exercise plan.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Lung-Related Back Pain

While occasional mild back pain is common, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Sudden, severe chest or back pain
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Fever accompanied by chest or back pain
• Pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or between your shoulder blades

Should you wait to see if lung-related back pain resolves on its own? It’s generally better to err on the side of caution. If you’re experiencing persistent or concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

Diagnostic Procedures for Lung-Related Back Pain

When investigating the cause of lung-related back pain, healthcare providers may use various diagnostic tools and procedures. These may include:

1. Physical examination and medical history review
2. Chest X-ray
3. Computed tomography (CT) scan
4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
5. Pulmonary function tests
6. Blood tests
7. Bronchoscopy

How do doctors determine the cause of lung-related back pain? Physicians typically start with a thorough physical examination and medical history. Based on initial findings, they may order imaging studies or additional tests to confirm a diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Lung-Related Back Pain

The treatment for lung-related back pain depends on the underlying cause. Some common treatment approaches include:

• Medications (pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics)
• Oxygen therapy
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Surgery (in severe cases)
• Lifestyle modifications (smoking cessation, exercise)
• Physical therapy

Can lung-related back pain be managed at home? While some mild cases may improve with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.

Preventing Lung-Related Back Pain

While not all causes of lung-related back pain are preventable, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

• Quit smoking or never start
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Practice good posture
• Get vaccinated against respiratory infections
• Avoid exposure to air pollutants and irritants

How effective is smoking cessation in preventing lung-related issues? Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps you can take to protect your lung health and reduce the risk of various lung diseases that may cause back pain.

Living with Chronic Lung Conditions and Managing Back Pain

For individuals living with chronic lung conditions that cause back pain, managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life is crucial. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Adhere to prescribed treatment plans
• Engage in regular, gentle exercise as approved by your healthcare provider
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Use proper body mechanics when lifting or moving
• Consider complementary therapies like acupuncture or massage (with doctor approval)
• Join support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges

Can alternative therapies help manage lung-related back pain? Some alternative therapies may provide relief for certain individuals, but it’s essential to discuss these options with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re safe and appropriate for your specific condition.

The Impact of Lung-Related Back Pain on Quality of Life

Chronic lung conditions and associated back pain can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. These conditions may affect:

• Physical activity and exercise tolerance
• Sleep quality
• Emotional well-being
• Social interactions
• Work productivity

How can patients cope with the emotional impact of chronic lung conditions? Seeking support from mental health professionals, joining support groups, and practicing stress-management techniques can help individuals cope with the emotional challenges of living with chronic lung conditions and related back pain.

Future Directions in Treating Lung-Related Back Pain

Research in the field of pulmonology and pain management continues to advance, offering hope for improved treatments for lung-related back pain. Some areas of ongoing research include:

• Targeted drug therapies for specific lung conditions
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Advanced imaging technologies for earlier detection of lung issues
• Personalized medicine approaches based on genetic profiles
• Innovative pain management strategies

What role might artificial intelligence play in diagnosing and treating lung-related back pain? AI technologies are being developed to assist in interpreting medical images, predicting disease progression, and personalizing treatment plans, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for lung-related back pain in the future.

Understanding the various causes and symptoms of lung-related back pain is crucial for early detection and proper treatment. While some cases may resolve on their own, persistent or severe symptoms warrant medical attention. By working closely with healthcare providers and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, individuals can better manage lung conditions and associated back pain, improving their overall quality of life.

Causes, Left Side, Right Side, and More

You may experience back pain due to infection, injury, or another health condition, such as lung cancer or a heart problem.

You may feel pain at the back of your lungs for a variety of reasons. These can range from impact injuries to chronic health conditions such as cancer.

This article details possible causes of lung pain in your back, why it may be occurring, and when you should see a doctor.

There are several reasons you may be feeling pain in and around the back of your lungs.

This pain may be due to injuries or disturbances in the lining of your lungs (the pleura) or the bones and muscles surrounding the organs. Persistent coughs can even cause back pain in the back of your lungs.

However, your lungs have very few pain receptors, and people often refer to more general chest pains as lung pains.

Lung cancer

Back pain can accompany certain types of cancer, including lung cancer.

According to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about 25 percent of people with lung cancer experience back pain. In fact, back pain is frequently the first lung cancer symptom that people notice before diagnosis.

Back pain may also arise as a side effect of cancer treatment.

If you’re concerned that your back pain could be a symptom of lung cancer, consider whether you have other common symptoms of lung cancer, such as:

• a nagging cough that keeps getting worse
• constant chest pain
• coughing up blood
• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• hoarseness
• fatigue
• headache
• chronic pneumonia or bronchitis
• swelling of neck and face
• loss of appetite
• unexpected weight loss

Injury

Lung pain in your back may also be the result of an injury.

Physical trauma that affects the lining of your lungs, or the bones and muscles surrounding them, may lead to pain in a particular area.

In cases of severe injury, a broken rib can puncture one of your lungs. These punctures can heal on their own but may require emergency surgery.

Infections

Infections in the lungs and their lining can cause pain and discomfort when you breathe.

Pleurisy, which is inflammation in the lining of the lungs, can cause sharp pains in the back and chest. This can often be the result of a viral or bacterial infection.

Asthma, a chronic, long-term infection of the lung, may also cause pain in your back.

Costochondritis is inflammation of rib cage cartilage. This can be the result of injury, infection, or irritation.

The condition can cause sharp, intense pain or may develop gradually. If you experience costochondritis in the back of your ribs, this may feel like a pain in the back of your lungs.

Learn more about lung infections here.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is when the spine curves in an abnormal way.

Severe scoliosis can change the structure of the chest and affect lung function. Typically, curving of the spine will restrict lung size, which can cause pain in the lung lining and surrounding muscles.

Learn more about scoliosis pain here.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that occurs in the lungs. The most common symptom of a pulmonary embolism is shortness of breath, but it can also cause pain throughout the chest and upper back.

Blood clots in the lung are a medical emergency. If you suspect you have a pulmonary embolism, you should seek immediate medical help.

Pulmonary hyperinflation

Pulmonary hyperinflation occurs when the lungs cannot empty efficiently. This may be the result of airway blockages or poor working air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.

If you have pulmonary hyperinflation, you may have difficulty inhaling and generally struggle to breathe normally. This can often cause dull, continuous pain in the lungs.

Pulmonary hyperinflation is common in advanced emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Atelectasis

Atelectasis occurs when air sacs in the lungs collapse or do not expand as they should. This means that these sacs are no longer able to fill with air.

If atelectasis affects a small part of the lungs, it may not cause any symptoms. However, if it involves a large portion of the lung, it may result in sharp, short-lived pains.

The condition is often the result of airway blockages. Still, you may also experience atelectasis due to pressure from outside the lungs, fluid buildup, or a broader collapse of the lung.

Heart conditions

Conditions affecting the heart may cause pain in your chest. These pains may also feel like they’re spreading to, or coming from, your lungs.

A lack of blood flow to the heart can cause angina, a type of chest pain. In severe cases, lack of blood flow to the heart can cause stroke or a heart attack.

Pain resulting from these conditions can spread throughout the chest, lungs, and back.

Your lungs sit within your rib cage. The top of your lungs peak just above your collarbone (clavicle). At your back, your lungs extend to your 12th, or bottom, rib.

Along with your ribs, your spine encases your lungs from the outside.

Find out more about the anatomy of your lungs here.

In some cases, you may feel pain in only one side of your lung.

Causes of pain in the right side of your lung include:

• muscles strains or blunt trauma
• pleurisy
• asthma
• pneumonia
• pulmonary embolism
• pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lung
• pneumothorax, a collapsed lung

Learn more about pain in the right side of your chest here.

Pain in your left lung will typically result from similar conditions as pain in your right lung.

However, heart conditions such as angina and stroke are more likely to cause chest pain in the left side of your body.

While this pain may not specifically come from your lungs, it’s crucial to seek medical assistance if you experience severe pains in the left of your chest.

Learn more about left lung pain here.

If you have persistent symptoms, including pain in your back that concerns you, make an appointment with a doctor.

If your doctor thinks lung cancer might be causing your symptoms, they will typically use a physical exam, imaging, and lab tests to reach a diagnosis.

If they discover lung cancer, the treatment will depend on its type and stage. Treatment options include:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• stereotactic body radiotherapy (radiosurgery)
• immunotherapy
• targeted drug therapy

Causes, Left Side, Right Side, and More

You may experience back pain due to infection, injury, or another health condition, such as lung cancer or a heart problem.

You may feel pain at the back of your lungs for a variety of reasons. These can range from impact injuries to chronic health conditions such as cancer.

This article details possible causes of lung pain in your back, why it may be occurring, and when you should see a doctor.

There are several reasons you may be feeling pain in and around the back of your lungs.

This pain may be due to injuries or disturbances in the lining of your lungs (the pleura) or the bones and muscles surrounding the organs. Persistent coughs can even cause back pain in the back of your lungs.

However, your lungs have very few pain receptors, and people often refer to more general chest pains as lung pains.

Lung cancer

Back pain can accompany certain types of cancer, including lung cancer.

According to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about 25 percent of people with lung cancer experience back pain. In fact, back pain is frequently the first lung cancer symptom that people notice before diagnosis.

Back pain may also arise as a side effect of cancer treatment.

If you’re concerned that your back pain could be a symptom of lung cancer, consider whether you have other common symptoms of lung cancer, such as:

• a nagging cough that keeps getting worse
• constant chest pain
• coughing up blood
• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• hoarseness
• fatigue
• headache
• chronic pneumonia or bronchitis
• swelling of neck and face
• loss of appetite
• unexpected weight loss

Injury

Lung pain in your back may also be the result of an injury.

Physical trauma that affects the lining of your lungs, or the bones and muscles surrounding them, may lead to pain in a particular area.

In cases of severe injury, a broken rib can puncture one of your lungs. These punctures can heal on their own but may require emergency surgery.

Infections

Infections in the lungs and their lining can cause pain and discomfort when you breathe.

Pleurisy, which is inflammation in the lining of the lungs, can cause sharp pains in the back and chest. This can often be the result of a viral or bacterial infection.

Asthma, a chronic, long-term infection of the lung, may also cause pain in your back.

Costochondritis is inflammation of rib cage cartilage. This can be the result of injury, infection, or irritation.

The condition can cause sharp, intense pain or may develop gradually. If you experience costochondritis in the back of your ribs, this may feel like a pain in the back of your lungs.

Learn more about lung infections here.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is when the spine curves in an abnormal way.

Severe scoliosis can change the structure of the chest and affect lung function. Typically, curving of the spine will restrict lung size, which can cause pain in the lung lining and surrounding muscles.

Learn more about scoliosis pain here.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that occurs in the lungs. The most common symptom of a pulmonary embolism is shortness of breath, but it can also cause pain throughout the chest and upper back.

Blood clots in the lung are a medical emergency. If you suspect you have a pulmonary embolism, you should seek immediate medical help.

Pulmonary hyperinflation

Pulmonary hyperinflation occurs when the lungs cannot empty efficiently. This may be the result of airway blockages or poor working air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.

If you have pulmonary hyperinflation, you may have difficulty inhaling and generally struggle to breathe normally. This can often cause dull, continuous pain in the lungs.

Pulmonary hyperinflation is common in advanced emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Atelectasis

Atelectasis occurs when air sacs in the lungs collapse or do not expand as they should. This means that these sacs are no longer able to fill with air.

If atelectasis affects a small part of the lungs, it may not cause any symptoms. However, if it involves a large portion of the lung, it may result in sharp, short-lived pains.

The condition is often the result of airway blockages. Still, you may also experience atelectasis due to pressure from outside the lungs, fluid buildup, or a broader collapse of the lung.

Heart conditions

Conditions affecting the heart may cause pain in your chest. These pains may also feel like they’re spreading to, or coming from, your lungs.

A lack of blood flow to the heart can cause angina, a type of chest pain. In severe cases, lack of blood flow to the heart can cause stroke or a heart attack.

Pain resulting from these conditions can spread throughout the chest, lungs, and back.

Your lungs sit within your rib cage. The top of your lungs peak just above your collarbone (clavicle). At your back, your lungs extend to your 12th, or bottom, rib.

Along with your ribs, your spine encases your lungs from the outside.

Find out more about the anatomy of your lungs here.

In some cases, you may feel pain in only one side of your lung.

Causes of pain in the right side of your lung include:

• muscles strains or blunt trauma
• pleurisy
• asthma
• pneumonia
• pulmonary embolism
• pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lung
• pneumothorax, a collapsed lung

Learn more about pain in the right side of your chest here.

Pain in your left lung will typically result from similar conditions as pain in your right lung.

However, heart conditions such as angina and stroke are more likely to cause chest pain in the left side of your body.

While this pain may not specifically come from your lungs, it’s crucial to seek medical assistance if you experience severe pains in the left of your chest.

Learn more about left lung pain here.

If you have persistent symptoms, including pain in your back that concerns you, make an appointment with a doctor.

If your doctor thinks lung cancer might be causing your symptoms, they will typically use a physical exam, imaging, and lab tests to reach a diagnosis.

If they discover lung cancer, the treatment will depend on its type and stage. Treatment options include:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiation therapy
• stereotactic body radiotherapy (radiosurgery)
• immunotherapy
• targeted drug therapy

Doctors have found the cause of the illness of vapers

Doctors from the University of Utah have made a preliminary diagnosis of several vapers who suffered from a mysterious illness. The specialists found that they probably developed an unusual form of lipoid pneumonia. The report of the work was published in New England Journal of Medicine .

Lipoid pneumonia is a rare disease that occurs when an oily fluid enters the lungs. Her symptoms are similar to those experienced by vapers – shortness of breath, cough, chest pain. However, the presence of oils in the lungs is well visualized and looks like an inflamed puddle on the x-ray, the researchers say. Nothing of the kind was found in patients.

“If vaping-related lung injury is a form of lipoid pneumonia, then this is something new,” doctors say. “Here, pneumonia is not limited to a specific area and continues for quite a long time.”

The stories of the patients are similar and very sad.

For example, 18-year-old Adam from Illinois experienced the disease after a year and a half of vaping. Now his lungs are like those of a seventy-year-old man, the doctors say. The young man was engaged in wrestling, but if his body does not recover, he will never return to his favorite pastime.

The disease developed gradually. At first, Adam only coughed for several days after using an electronic cigarette, then tremors, nausea, and vomiting appeared. Doctors did not initially link the symptoms to vaping. It was only after no improvement and several visits to doctors that one of them asked if Adam used an electronic vaporizer.

X-ray showed extensive lung involvement.

“It’s scary to think about what this little device did to my lungs,” says Adam. “If I had known that this would happen to me, I would never have touched him.”

Conclusions were drawn from six cases in Utah. The researchers described one of them in detail. A 21-year-old young man who vaped nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol complained of shortness of breath, cough, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting for a week. After an x-ray showed opacities in the lungs, he was treated for pneumonia, but the condition worsened and the patient had to be intubated.

Meanwhile, tests showed that the young man did not have pneumococci, but the level of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, was elevated. But the most significant finding was the abundance of macrophages in the biomaterial obtained from the lungs.

Macrophages are cells that capture and digest particles foreign to the body. They play the role of the first line of immune defense against pathogens in the body.

In macrophages, the researchers found traces of fat, which they destroyed. They occurred in all six patients.

Moreover, another group of scientists, having examined 14 patients from Wisconsin and Illinois, found the same macrophages in them.

“It made us think – why are they there? Do they collect harmful substances that have entered the lungs during soaring?” the researchers say.

Previously, vitamin E acetate was thought to be the culprit, found in almost all cannabinoid-containing liquids used by victims.

Vitamin E acetate is found in some ingredients used to thicken liquids. These components are also popular on the black market – they are bought for the production of liquids with cannabinoids.

Fat-digesting macrophages confirm this version. Sufficient data to unequivocally state that vitamin E acetate was the cause of the disease is not yet available, but new data can narrow the search for the causes of the mysterious disease.

“We need to determine if these cells are specific to the disease or if they are also found in vapers who have not experienced symptoms of the disease,” says lead author Scott Abereg, pulmonologist. “If only sick people have them, we can establish a link between these macrophages and components of oil fumes that can cause disease.”

US President Donald Trump spoke about the epidemic of an unknown disease .

“We can’t let people get sick, we can’t let our youth suffer like this,” he said. “People are dying from vaping.”

“The Trump administration is signaling that we intend to clear the market of flavored e-liquids,” said Alex Azar, spokesman for the US Department of Health and Human Services. “Young people are addicted to e-cigarettes, it affects children, families, schools. We will not remain indifferent, because these products are the first step for a whole generation of young people towards regular cigarettes and nicotine addiction.”

Negative comments about vape liquids and other policies.

“They are not intended for the 50-year-old smoker trying to quit,” says Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin of the various flavors of e-liquids. “They are designed to attract children, and, unfortunately, they are up to the task. Children are being targeted by manufacturers and it’s time to put an end to this.”

The State of Michigan has taken the first steps towards a vape ban. In early September 2019, most flavored e-liquids were banned there. The ban applies to products that use sweet and fruity flavors, as well as mint and menthol. It does not apply to tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes.

Words such as “clean”, “safe” and “healthy” are also prohibited in describing liquids as they can be misleading. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she hopes the measure will shield the younger generation from the harmful effects of vaping.

Careless acupuncture resulted in a lung puncture

In New Zealand, an acupuncturist was overzealous when working with a patient: inserting needles too deep caused a lung to collapse. The woman claims that she was not warned about possible problems.

Author:

radiologist Dmitry Kolesnik

1
minute

In New Zealand, an acupuncturist was overzealous when working with a patient: inserting needles too deep caused a lung to collapse. As a result, according to the wording of the local police, he violated the consumer code, causing harm to the health of the patient.

The patient was being treated for an injury to her left wrist and forearm. The acupuncturist inserted two needles into the so-called “Jian Jing” points on the top of the woman’s shoulders. According to the woman, the needles went “too deep.” Half an hour later, the acupuncturist removed the needles, and the client suddenly felt pain in her right chest and shortness of breath. Then, according to the report, the client (or rather the victim) began to experience something like “a feeling of air around the lungs”, which is a pathological symptom.

According to Gizmodo, the acupuncturist told the patient to go home and rest to relieve the pain. When the woman lay down at home, her right side of the chest was numb, and the left was in great pain. Her husband took her to the clinic, from where she was sent to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).

According to the acupuncturist, he warned the client that there is a small risk of lung collapse with this placement of the needle in the body. The client, on the other hand, claims that she was not told that the needles would be so close to the lungs and this could lead to injury. The police sided with the patient, believing that the acupuncturist violated the consumer health code by not properly informing the client about the associated risks and by not obtaining written consent to insert the needle into the body.