Pain In Chest When Breathing? Get Yourself Checked For Pleurisy

The lungs are surrounded by a double layered membrane that is moist and which lines the ribs. This membrane is termed as pleura. Any kind of inflammation or swelling of the pleura can lead to a medical complication called pleurisy or pleuritis. This situation needs to be treated right away and things can get very complicated sometimes if the area between the membrane layers fills with a fluid. After this the patient is left squirming with agony with each deep breath or rapid chest movement as in sneezing.

This condition is totally treatable by a health professional if detected on time and it can be diagnosed by laboratory screening, tests, or MRI. The disease lasts for a short while and the person can regain health back in days or weeks with proper treatment.

Pleurisy is normally a result of bacterial or viral infections or the common flu, and it may be a result of certain strong medications that lead to an inflammation of pleura. Normally the patient complains of a chest pain that becomes worse when the patient breathes deeply. Most of the doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, NSAID’s and rest. The patient can also resort to Ramdev medicine for Pleurisy to get treatment with natural substances like medicinal herbal extracts.

The pleura protect the lungs and also lubricate the lung surface. The lungs do not rub harshly against the rib cage because they are lubricated and protected by the pleural space. The two pleural membrane layers slide past each other without abrasion, but when these membranes inflame and swell up their tender surfaces, rub against each other harshly. Sneezing or breathing becomes an ordeal, and if the excess fluid enters into the empty cavity it leads to a pressure on lungs and can cause shortness of breath. This fluid may also get infected and the situation can get more complicated.

Pleurisy mostly occurs because of viral infections. It may also be a result of tuberculosis and pneumonia or other lung infections. There are some rheumatological conditions like arthritis, lupus, and other diseases like cancer, pulmonary embolism or liver complications, chest trauma or an injury to the ribs, or a reaction to a strong medication, that may also lead to pleurisy.

The patient may feel a sharp, fleeting chest pain during coughing, breathing, sneezing, moving and many times during talking. The effort and movement made to gasp in air leaves a person writhing in agony. The chest pain reduces when the person holds the breath. This is because there is no pressure on the lungs and the pleura in this way.

The abdominal area, shoulders and neck also feel pain and the person prefers shallow breathing as compared to deep breathing. If the pain starts to interfere gravely in sitting and moving about, you need to go to the emergency room for treatment. The patient may also develop a low grade fever in case of inflammation in the tissues that are surrounding and lining the chest cavity the lungs, or the pleural membrane. Do not waste time, get help right away.