Physiological causes and signs
Severe chest pain can be caused by psycho-emotional stress.
Natural causes of chest compression and difficulty breathing are not considered the most dangerous. However, when they appear, you should think about revising your lifestyle. After all, prolonged exposure to negative factors can lead to diseases in the future.
Severe discomfort from compression of the chest leads to the fact that the patient begins to fear for his life. If the cause of this condition is stress, the symptoms only intensify it. Other reasons include:
- psycho-emotional stress, which is accompanied by a feeling as if there is a lump in the throat, heaviness appears on the left or right, difficulties with swallowing arise;
- the same symptoms can be observed with severe nervous exhaustion;
- Stress that is not minimized sooner or later leads to nervous breakdowns and the development of diseases - from colds to more serious disorders.
Compression in the chest appears with extreme obesity
Sometimes the cause of chest compression and a lump in the throat are antidepressants, medications for hypertension, and antihistamines.
Also, causes that are on the verge of pathologies and physiological changes include:
- obesity - chest compression especially often appears in the last degree of obesity, but can also be observed in the early stages;
- physical inactivity is a voluntary or forced restriction of movement, which leads to diseases of the circulatory system, digestion and other systems;
- smoking and alcohol addiction - both of these products belong to the category of dangerous toxins that cause severe poisoning of the body;
- a sharp change in the environment - similar symptoms can be observed in people who come to relax in the mountains or at sea.
Causes of cough when inhaling and exhaling
Coughing when breathing is a common complaint with which patients turn to therapists and pulmonologists. This symptom may indicate that the patient has chronic, advanced and very serious diseases. If you begin to cough when breathing, consult your doctor immediately.
A dry cough with a deep breath most often indicates diseases of the upper or lower respiratory tract. In this case, swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx, trachea, bronchi and nasopharynx, as well as their irritation, is often observed. A nonproductive cough when breathing begins due to contraction of the diaphragm muscles.
If you cough when you breathe, and before that you suffered from acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, influenza, or even a common cold, then it may indicate the development of complications. Unfortunately, not all people are sensitive to their health and self-medicate or suffer from the above ailments on their feet. These two factors are the most common cause of complications.
Most often, respiratory diseases not treated in a timely manner lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. You should not mistakenly assume that these two ailments are always accompanied by sputum discharge. A dry, unproductive cough when breathing can also be a symptom. It occurs with bronchitis or pneumonia if the discharge of sputum is difficult.
“I cough when I inhale,” patients often complain when visiting a therapist. In this case, the specialist listens to the patient for the presence of wheezing and sputum in the bronchi and lungs. This is done by comparing breathing at rest and with a deep breath. If pneumonia is suspected, the patient is sent for an X-ray examination. Inflamed areas of the lungs are clearly visible on an x-ray, which greatly facilitates the diagnosis process.
Bronchitis and pneumonia are treated with strong antibiotics and, if necessary, antibacterial agents. Dry cough when breathing, which occurs as a result of these diseases, goes away with an integrated approach to treatment. Patients are prescribed expectorants that dilute mucus and remove it from the bronchi and lungs. In this case, the symptom passes from the unproductive stage to the productive one.
Heavy smokers often complain of coughing after inhaling. The reason for this is spasms of the bronchi and lungs, swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, as well as chronic accumulation of sputum in the bronchi. Cough when breathing in smokers can also develop due to circulatory problems, which often leads to emphysema.
If, as a result of constant smoking, a cough begins when inhaling, then the first health safety measure should be to give up this harmful habit. A person suffering from nicotine addiction should also cleanse the blood and remove phlegm from the bronchi and lungs. And also, switch to a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition. The latter measure is necessary to reduce the load on the lungs and heart.
“I inhale and cough,” people often come to see a cardiologist with this complaint, while also suffering from chest pain. There are several diseases of the cardiovascular system that cause coughing when breathing. We are talking about coronary disease, heart valve dysfunction, and heart failure.
In addition to this symptom and chest pain, patients with the above diseases experience general fatigue and weakness, back pain and even fainting during physical exertion. A sick person wants to cough when inhaling in this case because the pressure on the heart muscle increases, gradually being transmitted to the diaphragm, which leads to the closure of the glottis.
Treatment of the above diseases, which cause coughing when breathing, is prescribed by a cardiologist only after a thorough diagnosis. The patient is prescribed medications to normalize heart function, as well as special exercise and oxygen therapy. In rare cases, the patient requires surgery.
In this case, coughing with a deep sigh does not require separate treatment. It goes away on its own after normalization of the cardiovascular system.
Patients often also experience a cough when exhaling, the causes of which also lie in various diseases. Most often, this symptom is observed in people with bronchial asthma. This disease is characterized by narrowing of the bronchi and disruption of their normal functioning. When inhaling, the air easily copes with the obstacle created by the narrowed organs, so a person with asthma does not experience any discomfort at this moment.
When we exhale, things happen differently because the carbon dioxide we exhale is heavier than oxygen. It is much more difficult to escape from the narrowed bronchi, causing an attack of suffocation and painful sensations. If you feel like coughing when you exhale, then it’s time to see a doctor. Remember that the earlier asthma is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat.
Coughing when exhaling can be the cause of hilar or lobar pneumonia. It occurs, as a rule, only with bilateral inflammation, when the lungs cannot cope with the volume of air entering them. This disease is treated inpatiently with antibiotics and antitussives.
Lung cancer is the most dangerous disease, during which a cough begins when taking a deep breath. A tumor compressing the lungs leads to poor air flow into the respiratory system, which causes attacks of suffocation. However, most often in cancer patients this symptom is expressed according to the following scheme: inhalation - exhalation - cough.
Naturally, such a disease is accompanied by severe pain. Diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage allows it to be cured. The main risk group for this disease includes primarily smokers, as well as employees of hazardous industries. Prevention of lung cancer includes annual fluorography, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Do not forget that it is stupid to be afraid to know that you have a particular disease. Be sure to see a doctor if you have breathing problems. By the way, one symptom of “inhaling and coughing” will clearly not be enough for a doctor. Your task is to describe the problem as accurately as possible. This is necessary for the specialist to prescribe the necessary laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures.
Baby's breasts are congested
Children have a very weak immune system, so even the slightest signs of the development of a particular disease should alarm parents and prompt them to consult a doctor. The causes, both in adults and young patients, can be viral diseases, inflammatory processes or allergic reactions.
Unfortunately, in a child’s body, foreign bacteria develop much faster than a sharp deterioration in well-being is justified. Moreover, in medical practice there are not isolated cases of death, so experts strongly recommend not to progress the disease by trying to self-medicate. Independent actions often cause significantly more harm than good to a small organism.
If congestion in the chest or throat is observed in a child’s body, the specialist prescribes a syrup that includes herbal ingredients. In addition, inhalations are carried out.
For adults, after a series of procedures, the doctor prescribes a universal treatment package. It may include:
- “Bronholitin”;
- "Gedelix";
- “Doctor MOM”;
- “Lazolvan”;
- syrups based on medicinal herbs.
When there is no inflammation
In the inflammatory process we are talking about diseases:
- nasopharyngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- ARVI;
- ORZ.
The disease begins with severe irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx. At this moment, a dry cough and sneezing occurs. The mucous membrane thus protects the body from harmful viruses and bacteria.
If the pathological process is not stopped, the inflammation drops lower and lower. Damage occurs to the lungs, bronchi and trachea. When there is no timely treatment, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorates.
The first thing to do is gargle. You can use both medications and traditional recipes. Very often, doctors advise gargling with medicinal plants and solutions. Additionally, the nasal passages are washed, clearing them of accumulation of infection and mucus.
You can treat your throat with propolis tincture. It is sold in pharmacies or from beekeepers, and you can use it by gargling with propolis tincture. Special cough drops will also help relieve sore throat. They are often made from honey and eucalyptus. There is nothing harmful in them.
It is important to consult a physician if your throat tickles and your dry cough does not go away within a few days. The patient will be recommended treatment depending on his disease. These will not only be nasal aerosols, tablets and lozenges, but also drugs that eliminate the cause of the painful condition:
- antivirus;
- anti-inflammatory.
If you want to cough and have a tickle in your throat, these may be symptoms of a disease of non-inflammatory etiology. What diseases does this occur in? Among them are the following health problems:
- diabetes;
- throat neurosis;
- pathologies of the thyroid gland;
- allergic reactions;
- occupational diseases;
- reflux esophagitis.
With throat neurosis, the patient will note other symptoms. There are usually complaints of numbness, tingling and soreness around the neck or ears. These signs indicate a violation of the nervous system of the throat. You will need to undergo serious diagnostics of the body, because the nerve endings of the throat are connected to the entire nervous system.
Sometimes there is a constant sore throat and a dry cough in case of severe damage to the nervous system, syphilis or tumors in the brain.
Another thing is with allergies. It becomes a reaction to an external stimulus and goes away after it disappears. Coughing and tickling in the throat area intensify as the allergen approaches. To accurately determine the reasons, you should consult an allergist.
A dry cough and dry mucous membranes sometimes cause changes in blood glucose levels. A sip of clean still water will help relieve these symptoms. If the tickle repeats again and again, this is most likely the onset of diabetes.
There is a urge to cough and a tickle in the throat if the patient has been smoking for a long time. But some professions can also leave an imprint on your health. Harmful working conditions often leave a serious mark on the mucous membrane of internal organs. For example, a sore throat and a dry cough develops in:
- metallurgists;
- miners;
- builders.
The main reason is prolonged exposure to high temperatures, smoke and dust on the breathing apparatus.
Constantly irritation and sore throat occurs in people who, due to their professional activities, strain their vocal cords for a long time.
If there are problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland, then this may also be a prerequisite for the fact that from time to time you want to clear your throat. You cannot do without examination by an endocrinologist.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia
This disease, in which it sometimes becomes difficult to breathe and there is a feeling of chest compression, stands out in a separate category, as it is associated with a whole range of symptoms. With VSD, pulmonary hyperventilation syndrome often appears, which leads to unpleasant sensations.
The pathological process involves the lungs, bronchi, and heart, which leads to the appearance of numerous symptoms:
- difficulty taking breaths;
- there is pain in the lungs;
- a person suffers from dizziness;
- weakness and fainting develop;
- the patient becomes pale and may suffer from sweating.
How to get rid of unpleasant symptoms?
The choice of treatment for chest cough, when there is no sputum, depends on the factors of its occurrence. After all, even if congestion in the sternum is caused by a virus, its incorrect therapy can lead to adverse consequences.
When a feeling of congestion in the chest and a dry cough are provoked by an infection of the respiratory system, the main goal of therapy is to liquefy and stimulate the discharge of sputum. First of all, it is important to ensure that the air in the patient’s room is humid (up to 60%) and cool (20-22 degrees).
At the same time, it is necessary to carry out daily wet cleaning. Thus, the intensity of the dry cough will decrease, and the feeling of tightness in the sternum will disappear.
It is equally important to drink plenty of fluids when treating a nonproductive cough. This will help restore water balance after fever, moisturize the mucous membrane and thin the sputum. After all, liquid secretions are easier to cough up, so they do not stagnate in the lungs.
Sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to breathe after intense physical activity, which causes muscle strain. In such a situation, treatment is carried out by a surgeon who prescribes warming ointments to the patient to relieve muscle pain.
It is worth noting that in case of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, there is no need to take antitussives, since this can only contribute to stagnation of mucus. The main goal of therapy is to transform a dry cough into a wet one. For this purpose, the doctor prescribes expectorants or combination medications, such as:
- Dr. MOM;
- Bronholitin;
- Lazolvan;
- Gerbion;
- Gedelix;
- licorice root syrup and others.
Nasal congestion and chest
Such symptoms can occur in various diseases.
- Disease of the heart, lungs or esophagus causes changes in the chest area and the following symptoms appear.
- For chest pathology. The nerve plexuses are located in the chest area, so during transformation there may be discomfort and pain in this area.
- For various injuries to the chest. The soft tissues are compressed and unpleasant sensations appear: it becomes difficult to breathe and a lump appears in the throat.
- Oncology. New growths appearing in the chest area. The tumor begins to compress the organs, there may be a feeling of coma and pain.
- For pathologies of the thoracic spine. Intercostal neuralgia causes pain and congestion behind the sternum. The pain may intensify when the patient lifts heavy objects or moves the body.
Sputum is expectorated from the lower respiratory tract. This is the first reason for the presence of discomfort and unpleasant sensations. It happens that the chest is stuffy, but there is no cough at all. When a person inhales or exhales, a whistling or wheezing sound is heard from inside. This means that the lungs are filled with secretions, but they cannot come out on their own.
Treatment of a dry cough behind the sternum, when there is no sputum, is selected taking into account the factors that caused it. If you have a respiratory tract infection, stimulation can be done to thin the mucus so that it begins to clear and makes breathing easier. Constantly ventilate the patient's room to keep the air moist and cool. Carry out wet cleaning daily, so the patient will recover faster and the unpleasant symptoms will stop tormenting him.
To restore fluid balance, give the patient more fluids. It will moisturize the mucous membrane and thin out phlegm. Liquid secretions do not stagnate in the lungs and are coughed up faster.
Often such symptoms occur in athletes after heavy physical activity, as muscle strain appears. Then the surgeon prescribes treatment and prescribes ointments that warm and eliminate muscle pain.
If you have a respiratory tract infection, you should not take antitussives; taking them causes the sputum to stagnate. And you need to make sure that the dry cough turns into a wet one. To do this, you need to take expectorants or combination medications:
- Gedelix;
- Gerbion;
- Bronholitin;
- Dr. MOM;
- Lazolvan;
- Licorice root syrup.
The doctor will tell you which medicine is best to take, depending on the disease. If the disease is serious (asthma, tuberculosis, etc.), then potent cough medications are prescribed.
Treatment in an unconventional way can be carried out in cases where there is no allergy to herbs. To thin mucus and moisten the airways, in addition to medications, it is recommended to drink miracle drinks:
- dried fruits compote;
- herbal decoctions;
- tea with raspberries or lemon;
- berry juice.
It is also recommended to drink warm fruit or berry juice. It will help eliminate symptoms, saturate the body with vitamins and improve immunity. Drink hot tea with mint, rosemary, ginger, adding honey to it. It is good to carry out inhalations, but they can only be done when the temperature drops.
To relieve chest congestion and pain, make a medicinal herbal drink. Add a pinch of saffron to a cup of milk and heat it. Then add honey and lemon juice to taste. This remedy should be taken hot.
It is useful to gargle with this disease. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt and a little turmeric in 0.5 cups of warm water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Try to gargle deeper for two minutes up to 4 times a day.
Carry out inhalations
- Dissolve honey in hot water in a ratio of 1:5, inhale through your mouth and nose alternately.
- 2 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over spoons of sage, cover with a lid and let steep for 15 minutes.
- For a liter of boiling water, take 2 tbsp. spoons of soda. Soda inhalations do not cause allergies and relieve cough.
Watch your diet. During illness, you should avoid sugar, salt and flour products. These products increase the amount of phlegm. To prevent your airways from closing, avoid eating cold foods. Eat more foods that are beneficial. In this case, the following will help you: ginger, spicy foods, garlic and citrus fruits.
Useful tips
- If you smoke, you will have to quit, at least for the duration of your illness.
- Take spicy food in moderation, otherwise it will only harm your body.
- While taking medications, try not to drive.
- If your child’s breasts are congested, do not take any action on your own without consulting a doctor.
If the throat and chest are congested, it is necessary to find out the reasons, since treatment tactics directly depend on this. During the cold period, when colds become a constant guest in many homes, we can talk about a viral infection, which affects the congestion of these departments. If you are in close proximity to a sick person, or rather a coughing or sneezing person, the risk of becoming infected is approximately 80-85%.
In the future, another important sign appears - temperature. Sometimes it is also accompanied by coughing and sneezing. However, it cannot be ruled out that allergic nasopharyngitis develops in a similar way, especially if a person notices these symptoms at the peak of allergic reactions, that is, in late spring, early and mid-summer.
During the cold season, even in the absence of contact with an infected person, there is always a risk of hypothermia, which results in similar symptoms.
Another factor for the development of throat congestion is gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which hydrochloric acids are deposited into the throat through the esophagus, resulting in this kind of sensation.
If the patient feels such congestion for a long period of time (about a year, for example), then this may indicate a disorder in the cervical spine, in which a pinched nerve occurs.
Why is my nose and chest stuffy? This unpleasant symptom sometimes accompanies a person for quite a long time, both during the rehabilitation period and in the initial stages of the disease. The most common cause of nasal congestion is rhinitis. It can be of several types, and it is very important for a sick person to recognize its type in order for the treatment to be productive. Rhinitis is divided into: viral, bacterial, vasomotor, year-round and allergic.
In addition, a stuffy nose can be a consequence of an inflammatory process in the sinus, a fungal disease, the development of adenoids, etc. Another impetus can be a developing tumor - cancerous or benign.
There are a number of diagnostic methods that are carried out by an ENT specialist. They include: otoscopy, rhinoscopy and meso-pharyngoscopy. And when studying tumors in the nasal sinus, tomography is used, which will reveal disorders of the body.
To combat the disease, surgery may sometimes be required, which can be performed in several ways:
- contochomy;
- vasotomy of the nasal concha;
- radioturbation;
- changes in the nasal septum, as well as its straightening;
- extraction of tumors in the patient’s nasopharynx.
Cough congestion in the sternum
The feeling of squeezing and congestion in the sternum is one of the most unpleasant, capable of causing panic in the patient. If symptoms persist for a long time, there is indeed enough cause for concern: congestion in the chest without or with a cough indicates the progression of dangerous diseases. It is important to diagnose them and begin treatment selected by a specialist.
Causes and accompanying symptoms of congestion
The causes of HA congestion include both chronic, sluggish pathologies and extremely dangerous forms of heart and lung diseases.
Pericarditis
With pericarditis, inflammation of the outer lining of the heart occurs, caused by an infectious pathogen. Rheumatic or post-infarction pericarditis is less common. Symptoms of the disorder include:
- unbearable weakness - it is even difficult for the patient to get out of bed;
- congestion is combined with prolonged pain;
- dry cough;
- significant deterioration in general health.
The clinical picture of the disease is characterized by the release of fluid between the layers of the pericardium, which provokes severe shortness of breath, as well as the risk of compression of the heart and blood vessels by purulent exudate.
Pulmonary tuberculosis
A very dangerous inflammatory process in which congestion appears in the sternum, it becomes difficult to breathe, but without coughing in most cases. With tuberculosis, the temperature rises and the patient’s well-being significantly worsens. The acute stage is accompanied by a serious condition requiring hospitalization of the patient and initiation of drug therapy.
Tuberculosis can occur in open and closed stages; the appearance of symptoms indicates a severe course of the pathology.
Pulmonary embolism
Thromboembolism is a blockage of the lumen of the pulmonary artery by a clot. Since blood does not flow to the docked area, a pulmonary infarction develops. This is an extremely serious condition requiring hospitalization. The symptoms are severe, accompanied by pain, possible bleeding, and loss of consciousness.
Bacterial and viral processes
A dry cough often accompanies congestion due to bacterial infections. In this condition, the temperature rises, cold symptoms develop, and a cough with phlegm develops. Antibiotics are used for therapy.
With a viral disease, there may be no cough. Various infections lead to dry cough and spasms:
- psittacosis - pathology is provoked by chlamydia, accompanied by a burning sensation and non-stop cough, complicated by pneumonia;
- fungal infection - often a consequence of antibacterial therapy, accompanied by a prolonged cough;
- allergies - occurs periodically, accompanied by heaviness in the chest;
- silicosis is an occupational disease of people employed in the coal industry and cement processing.
Among all these disorders, fungal diseases stand out. They are always accompanied by a cough with sputum and purulent impurities. This condition requires emergency medical intervention by doctors. If the pathology is not treated, over time it will develop into purulent pleurisy.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis can be distinguished by a wheezing cough, heaviness in the sternum, hoarse voice and temperature. However, bronchitis is almost always accompanied by a dry, hacking cough, and it is extremely difficult to confuse it with other disorders. If such a symptom is absent, you should think about other pathologies.
Other common causes of congestion
Less common causes include infections and viruses, as well as conditions unrelated to them:
- typhus – cough, sudden deterioration in health, otherwise called tick-borne fever, caused by mycoplasma infection;
- long-term smoking of large portions of tobacco - congestion may be present in this case as well.
If there is no cough, but an unpleasant heaviness persists, the patient should think about his condition. Such signs often hide dangerous pathologies.
One of the most controversial causes is considered to be allergies to wool, pollen, and food. Usually a person knows from birth that he has such a reaction to something. But for some, allergies develop as they grow older, so this factor cannot be excluded, even if the patient has never had negative manifestations.
Diagnostic and treatment methods
X-rays are used to identify the reasons why the chest is congested and the patient has difficulty breathing. Bronchography and bronchoscopy, ultrasound of the chest may also be required. The patient must undergo an ECG to eliminate the risk of heart disease.
What can you do at home?
If you are sure that your cough and congestion are caused by a cold or other mild respiratory illness, you can get rid of them at home. If medications do not help within a week, you should consult a doctor.
The first group of drugs are expectorants that remove mucus. It is advisable to choose natural medicines. Stoptussin and Flavamed are also suitable. They contain substances that remove excess phlegm.
They must be taken in compliance with the general principles:
- do not exceed the daily dose, which is within 1200 mg;
- after taking the medicine, you should take it with a glass of water;
- Children under 6 years of age should not be given these medications without a doctor's prescription.
The next group of medications are eucalyptus-based inhalers, for example, Cametone. Most inhalers are available with a prescription if they contain substances such as salbutamol. This product has a powerful anti-phlegm effect.
If your symptoms get worse every day and additional signs of illness appear, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
What not to take
If there is severe congestion in the HA, it is forbidden to take cough suppressants, as they thicken the mucus and interfere with its release. You should also not use combination cough suppressants and expectorants. It is forbidden to take antihistamines for a wet cough. Likewise, you should not take decongestant pills. These substances dry out the mucus in the lungs and prevent it from coming out.
General recommendations for chest congestion
After diagnosis and treatment, the patient will be given approximately the following recommendations:
- increase indoor air humidity;
- get rid of potential allergens;
- reduce the air in the apartment or house to a temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius;
- remove carpets and heavy curtains from the room;
- increase the amount of liquid you drink - fruit drinks, water, diluted juices, compotes and tea.
If a person is found to have an infection, he will be prescribed antibacterial treatment. For this purpose, cephalosporins or penicillins are used. For tuberculosis, antimicrobial drugs are additionally used.
Folk remedies in the treatment of chest congestion
If there is HA congestion, if there are no allergies or contraindications, you can be treated with herbs. They will be an excellent addition to drug therapy:
- tea with raspberry fruits and leaves - taken 3-4 times a day warm;
- dried fruit compotes;
- decoctions of chamomile, licorice root and other expectorants.
Some physical therapy techniques can be used. Inhaling hot vapors is an effective way to get rid of congestion, do it like this:
- Add 1 part saline to 1 part water.
- Heat to a boil.
- Inhale the vapor for 1 minute.
The same can be done by using essential oils instead of saline solution. The procedure takes no longer than 5-7 minutes.
Other mixtures are also useful for therapeutic inhalations:
- Pine buds. Take 10 g of raw material, pour 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Bring to a boil and inhale the steam, covered with a towel, for 10 minutes.
- Potato. Boil the vegetable in its jacket, then add 1 tsp. soda and breathe for 10 minutes.
- Honey inhalations. Pour 2 tbsp. l. 250 ml of boiling water and inhale the steam for 10 minutes.
Instead of these products, you can use any medicinal herbs: calendula, chamomile, lemon balm.
Long-term persistence of HA congestion is fraught with dangerous consequences for the well-being and life of the patient. This symptom may be a sign of tuberculosis and dangerous heart pathologies. It is important to undergo diagnostics and identify the causes; this is the only way to prescribe effective treatment aimed at eliminating symptoms and suppressing the causative agent of the pathology.
source
What is chest cough, its causes and treatment with and without fever
Chest cough is the conventional name for the corresponding symptom, used to characterize the reflex expulsion of air originating in the lower respiratory tract.
Discomfort in the sternum and heart, followed by an increase in the described symptom, is a typical complaint of patients.
Selection of adequate therapy guarantees rapid improvement of the patient's condition, subject to verification of the cause of the symptom.
What is a chest cough?
Chest cough is a reflex defense mechanism of the body, designed to cleanse the bronchi of foreign objects, pathogenic bacteria or viruses. During irritation of receptors located on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, a reaction occurs, accompanied by contraction of the muscles of the respiratory tract. The result is a reflex expulsion of air.
The symptom is different from a throat (throat) cough. The latter traditionally progresses in the area of the ligaments with the parallel occurrence of soreness along the back wall of the pharynx.
However, in 80-85% of cases, the key provoking factor for the development of the corresponding symptom remains a disease of the bronchi or lungs. Pathological conditions are accompanied by a parallel progression of secondary symptoms that affect the patient’s condition and the nature of the recovery.
No temperature
The occurrence of dry cough from the sternum is more common in adult patients than in children. The reason is damage to the respiratory system, which is associated with the patient’s lifestyle, place of work, and individual characteristics of the body.
Source: https://ckiom.ru/kashel/kashel-zalozheno-v-grudine/
Diseases that cause cough and chest pain
Such sensations occur during viral and bacterial infections. During treatment, the viscous sputum begins to gradually disappear.
- Psittacosis caused by chlamydia and not completely cured also has characteristic symptoms. Pain, burning and congestion appear in the sternum, there is a strong dry cough, sometimes with sputum discharge. Pneumonia may be a complication.
- With prolonged use of antibiotics, the immune system is suppressed, and fungal diseases appear. Germs enter the mouth, larynx and lungs. A fungal infection is difficult to distinguish from a viral one and is easily confused with bronchitis or bacterial pneumonia. A fungal infection is diagnosed when a chest cough persists for a long time. Then the sputum that is released may contain purulent impurities. If treated incorrectly, fibrous or exudative pleurisy may develop.
- It happens that you feel chest congestion and pain and there is a lump in your throat, it is difficult to breathe, but there is no viral infection. This condition may indicate the presence of an allergy. An allergy can be to animal fur, plant pollen, or simply house dust. The disease can be occupational or seasonal.
- Occupational diseases may be accompanied by symptoms of dry cough and chest congestion.
Scoliosis may cause chest pain
Very often, breathing difficulties and chest pain are provoked by various pathologies of the ribs, spine and sternum.
- Scoliosis. The most common pathology in which the vertebrae are deformed to the right or left side. They put pressure on soft tissues, which leads to a feeling of compression. Scoliosis progresses very quickly, but most often occurs in children at an early age.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. The vertebrae become curved and the intervertebral discs narrow, which leads to compression of the nerve roots and muscle spasm. The patient feels girdling discomfort, pain when breathing, and limited mobility.
- Rib injuries. Such signs often appear after a blow, fall, accident or other reasons leading to bruising or broken ribs. A hematoma, bruise, and swelling of the affected area appears.
There are other bone diseases that can cause discomfort. But they are much less common.
How to treat chest congestion and cough? Chest congestion due to cold
Cough is a reflex reaction of the body to pathogenic microbes or pathological processes in the pharyngeal cavity. This sign is not considered an independent inflammation. A cough should be perceived only as a signal from the body to some unwanted process in the body.
A chest cough can appear as a result of numerous inflammations, which include flu or colds, acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia or bronchitis. But there are several other processes that can cause such a symptom. Therefore, if congestion develops in the sternum and a dry cough, it is necessary to consult a doctor for medical help as soon as possible.
A cough can appear due to a cold, flu, addiction to bad habits, or smoking.
Another factor that often causes cough and chest congestion is an allergic reaction.
If an allergic cough does not go away within two weeks, the patient is diagnosed with a chronic form. With such progress, hoarseness in the sternum and absence of sputum are noted.
This cough usually occurs in the morning or evening and is often accompanied by severe hoarseness.
Such signs signal to the patient about the dangerous course of the disease and the formation of a serious inflammatory process.
Causes of chest congestion
It is necessary to determine the cause of the formation of the inflammatory process in the sternum with the help of a doctor. It is important to eliminate the risk of pericarditis or tuberculosis, since these are the diseases that provoke severe congestion in the sternum. In addition, thromboembolism can cause inflammation.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is considered one of the most dangerous types of inflammation. It often manifests itself in the form of congestion in the sternum without coughing , increased body temperature, and a severe deterioration in well-being.
During the acute stage, the pathogens immediately enter the bloodstream. With this character, there is a serious deterioration in well-being. Tuberculosis requires urgent medical intervention.
Bacterial inflammation
In addition to the reasons listed, a dry cough can develop as a result of a bacterial infection. Today, there are about ten types of pathogenic bacteria that can cause pain in the chest and provoke a severe chest cough.
Often, when a bacterial disease develops, the patient experiences viscous sputum production, fever, nasal congestion and other symptoms. Such signs require an antibacterial course of treatment.
Viral infection
If the patient has difficulty breathing, it may be due to an infectious inflammation of the body. At this time, there is a strong non-productive cough and other signs of illness.
The severity of inflammation depends on the type of infection and the patient's immune system.
Fungal infections
Often a cough is diagnosed due to a fungal infection of the respiratory tract. Fungal inflammation appears as a result of long-term treatment with antibacterial drugs.
The form of inflammation can be determined by chest cough and sputum secretion. Usually it contains purulent impurities.
Treatment of fungal infections of the respiratory tract requires urgent medical intervention. In the absence of proper treatment, patients often develop exudative pleurisy.
Other reasons
Often, a feeling of chest congestion and a severe cough is associated with chlamydia that has not been fully cured. With this development of the disease, the next stage is pneumonia .
In addition, tick-borne fevers or typhus can provoke a cough and deterioration in health. Such signs can only be diagnosed in the office of an ENT doctor.
The root cause of the formation of such a process lies in mycoplasma infection , which can be caught by airborne droplets.
In the absence of these forms of inflammation, the patient may be diagnosed with an allergic reaction to dust, pet hair or pollen, as well as certain foods.
In addition, the formation of a pathological process in the chest area may be associated with the patient’s professional activity.
How to eliminate the disease
Treatment of chest congestion begins with diagnosing inflammation. During the examination of the patient's body, you can only relieve the cough. To do this, it is necessary to humidify the living room, eliminate all allergens from the sleeping area and carry out wet cleaning every day.
The course of treatment largely depends on the form of inflammation and the cause of its formation. If the inflammation has formed as a result of an infectious lesion, the patient is prescribed drugs to thin the sputum and medications that can remove them from the body.
At the same time, the patient needs to drink large amounts of fluid .
Moisture will help establish the water balance, which is disturbed at elevated body temperatures, and also moisturize the nasal mucosa. In addition, water is necessary when taking mucolytics . They will help thin mucus and remove it from the body.
If the reason for the formation of heaviness in the chest lies in excessive stress, the patient should visit a surgeon. If you have a muscle strain, chest pain and dry cough require warming ointments.
Heart pathologies
A common group of causes of heaviness and pain in the chest includes pathologies of the heart and vascular system. They are often accompanied by bluish skin, extreme fatigue, swelling of the legs and shortness of breath.
Common diseases include:
- heart defects that are observed already in childhood;
- inflammation of the myocardium, as well as pericarditis;
- heart failure;
- arrhythmias of various types;
- cardiomyopathy and dystrophy;
- coronary heart disease.
Cough when inhaling - what it could mean and what to do about it
Cough is a reflex defense mechanism that is triggered in response to exposure to foreign agents.
With the help of this reaction, the body cleanses itself of accumulations of mucus and irritants. A cough while inhaling does not always indicate the presence of a cold. Often this symptom is a companion of smokers. It may also indicate the development of neuralgia or allergies.
It is possible to select the appropriate treatment and get rid of the problem only after the root cause of its occurrence has been identified.
The main causes of cough when inhaling or taking a deep breath
The occurrence of cough when inhaling is due to increased thoracic pressure, which provokes muscle contraction of the diaphragm. This process leads to the closure of the gap, which disrupts the full passage of air into the bronchi and lungs. When the slit opens, a large volume of air suddenly enters the lungs, causing a cough.
This phenomenon may be caused by the following reasons:
- diseases of viral and bacterial origin;
- traumatic damage to the ribs, chest;
- allergic reaction;
- intercostal neuralgia.
A cough with a deep breath caused by an allergy differs from an infectious cough in that various foreign agents act as provoking factors for its occurrence.
The symptom appears, as a rule, at night or in the morning, accompanied by wheezing breathing.
In case of an allergic reaction, most often there is a dry cough without fever, which cannot be treated with simple antitussives.
A reflex reaction to traumatic injuries to the chest occurs due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the lungs by sharp fragments of the ribs. Against this background, a dry cough appears when inhaling, a violation of the respiratory process. There may also be a discharge of mucous secretion mixed with blood.
Damage to the intercostal nerves can provoke a cough without the formation of sputum, pain in the chest area that increases with inhalation, and heart rhythm disturbances. Symptomatic manifestations become more pronounced when staying in one position for a long time, bending and turning the body.
Diagnosis of cough that occurs with strong inspiration
To find out why a cough appears when inhaling, a thorough analysis of the characteristics of the symptom is carried out - its severity, nature, duration. Particular attention is paid to anamnestic indications of the relationship with previous diseases, taking medications, and using tobacco products.
To exclude cardiac pathologies, an electrocardiogram may be prescribed. You may also need to be examined by an otolaryngologist to identify possible respiratory problems.
Diagnostic measures usually include:
Only after receiving the results of diagnostic studies can the most appropriate treatment be prescribed.
Emergency first aid
You should not self-medicate, since ill-chosen medications can only aggravate the situation. To relieve coughing attacks caused by deep breathing, you can adhere to the following recommendations:
- Before contacting a specialist, you can reduce the severity of the symptom using inhalations based on sea salt or saline;
- ventilate the room in which the patient is located or take him out into fresh air;
- provide plenty of drinking water;
- In order to humidify the air, use devices designed for this purpose and carry out wet cleaning.
In addition, contact with possible allergens and substances with a strong odor should be avoided.
Ways to deal with the problem
Therapeutic measures are selected taking into account the severity of clinical manifestations, the root cause of their occurrence and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
When a cough begins with a deep breath, the main goal of treatment is to eliminate the provoking factor.
If the occurrence of such a symptom is associated with an infectious process, antibacterial and antiviral agents can be prescribed.
A cough that is not accompanied by sputum discharge is treated with mucolytic drugs that help liquefy mucous secretions. For broncho-obstructive syndrome, inhalation procedures with hormonal agents are prescribed.
To eliminate the symptom of an allergic reaction, antihistamines are prescribed.
In addition to drug therapy, you can use remedies taken from traditional medicine. You can relieve coughing attacks caused by taking a deep breath with milk with the addition of ginger and honey.
Also, a tincture based on thyme has a good effect on viral diseases. For this, 100 gr. herbs should be poured 500 ml. alcohol Leave the resulting mixture to infuse for 7 days. Take the finished tincture 1 tbsp. spoon before eating.
To reduce the severity of the symptom, you can use a decoction of coltsfoot. To prepare it, take 2 tbsp. spoons of herbs and pour a glass of hot water. Infuse the mixture for half an hour, then take half a glass three times a day before meals.
Cough when inhaling in a child
In children, the respiratory system is very vulnerable, so any infectious agent can provoke the development of a serious disease. Children who regularly inhale tobacco smoke are at particular risk. Passive smoking can cause impaired lung development, allergies, chronic cough, and asthma.
If a child feels like coughing when inhaling, this may indicate bronchitis. Cough attacks accompanied by shortness of breath or whistling often signal broncho-obstructive syndrome. This phenomenon requires immediate treatment, since otherwise it can lead to degradation of the bronchial tree.
In this case, you should not prescribe drug therapy yourself. Incorrect treatment can provoke the development of serious complications.
If a cough begins when inhaling, accompanied by wheezing, this may indicate the presence of croup of viral origin. As a rule, the disease develops against the background of an untreated cold.
In this case, exposure to pathogenic microorganisms leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the trachea and larynx.
Against this background, a narrowing of the airways occurs, significantly complicating the breathing process.
Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of this type of symptom, you should follow simple preventive measures. These activities will strengthen the immune system and increase the body's resistance to various pathogens.
These include:
- regular walks in the fresh air;
- giving up bad habits;
- moderate physical activity;
- daily wet cleaning;
- enriching the diet with vitamin-containing products;
- timely treatment in the presence of diseases.
It is important to understand that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, you should not neglect your health and postpone going to the doctor if any alarming symptoms occur.
Source: https://MyKashel.ru/lechenie/kashel-pri-vdohe.html
Traditional methods of treatment
There are a number of folk remedies that can be used at home, provided that the patient does not have the opportunity to see a specialist:
- Instillation of grated beets into the nasal cavity.
- Inhaling steam from boiled potatoes.
- Applying a boiled hot egg to the sore side of the nose.
- Apply sea salt to both sides of the nose.
- Lubricating the nasal mucosa with lamb fat.
- Rinsing the nose with horse sorrel.
However, we must not forget that the use of any medications, including folk remedies, must be agreed with the attending physician.
In folk medicine there are thousands of proven ways to get rid of such manifestations. If the patient is unable to see a doctor, he should:
- In addition to drinking hot drinks, also take a hot bath and shower.
- Place more pillows under your head so that your head is at an elevated level while sleeping.
- Apply warming compresses.
- Use a humidifier at night.
- Drink as much fluid as possible, especially hot drinks such as milk tea, milk with honey, etc.
- Avoid eating junk food, as well as spicy, fried or starchy foods. The best option is fresh fruits and vegetables.
In the case of an adult, these methods are quite effective, but we must not forget about traditional medicine, which, in turn, requires examination by a specialist and treatment with medications prescribed by him. We must not forget that a person without medical education cannot correctly identify the disease from which he is suffering, and therefore the chances of a cure are low. The patient can simply dull the symptoms of the disease, which can subsequently become chronic.
In case of heart pathology, an ECG procedure is performed
In severe cases, after calling an ambulance and transporting the patient to the hospital, diagnostics are carried out in the hospital. Less often, it is performed directly at the patient’s home, but it is usually impossible to do without X-rays and other instrumental procedures. Even if the symptoms are relieved at home, the patient is recommended to undergo the following examinations:
- ECG to detect heart pathologies;
- X-ray of the chest to determine the condition of the ribs, bones and spine;
- fluorography - to determine tuberculosis and other lung diseases;
- angiography to study blood vessels using radioisotopes;
- MRI is prescribed for a detailed study of internal organs and the musculoskeletal system, with its help it is easy to identify neuralgia, hernias, and osteochondrosis;
- Ultrasound of organs - examines the gastrointestinal tract, heart and lungs;
- Probing of the stomach and intestines is prescribed if symptoms are associated with pathologies of these organs.
The patient also takes blood, urine, and stool tests, if required by the diagnosis.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Patients find it difficult to breathe due to a variety of diseases, and after diagnosis, their treatment is carried out by specialized specialists: a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, a gastroenterologist, a surgeon. Therapy is selected in accordance with individual characteristics and the course of the pathology. There is no single method for correcting unpleasant symptoms.
If pain and breathing difficulties are caused by osteochondrosis, the patient is prescribed exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and massage. If the symptom is provoked by severe illnesses such as a heart attack, surgical intervention is required.
Drug treatment plays a large role in the detection of any pathology:
- antibiotics can be used both for lung diseases and for some forms of gastritis;
- blood thinners are prescribed for diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- immunomodulators are also used for almost all diseases that can cause heaviness in the chest;
- for gastrointestinal pathologies, a separate list of medications is used: heartburn medications, acid-reducing drugs, enzymes;
- NSAIDs and analgesics are universal medications that help cope with pain.
However, you should not take medications without consulting your doctor and until a correct diagnosis has been made.
Treatment
Cough and pain in the lungs can be described as a broad concept, since these symptoms are characteristic of more than 20 different diseases.
Pain may appear as a result of lung disease, as well as as a result of respiratory dysfunction.
In addition, the pain may have a cause unrelated to the respiratory system. So, pain in the lungs is sometimes a sign of:
- digestive diseases,
- bone diseases,
- disruptions in the nervous system.
There are several reasons leading to pain when coughing. The most common is intercostal muscle tension. When there is a frequent cough, the muscles are overstrained, and the lactic acid that accumulates in them causes increasing pain.
In addition, pain when coughing appears due to inflammation of the pleural tissue, lungs and infections. In these cases, one-sided pain is felt, which manifests itself along with a dry and severe cough. At the same time, sputum is poorly separated.
When the lungs hurt when coughing, this may indicate that pieces of the mucous membrane are being torn off, which is typical for bronchitis and tracheitis.
Bronchitis
- chest pains,
- dry cough,
- minimum sputum,
- bad feeling,
- temperature rise to 39 degrees,
While listening to the lungs, the doctor notices dry wheezing. Therapists effectively treat bronchitis.
Lobar pneumonia is a serious disease with an acute onset and sudden malaise. After some time, the patient feels chills, sweats, a severe headache and the area near the nose and mouth becomes paler.
The temperature rises to 40 degrees, sometimes there is confusion. The temperature does not subside for about a day; when it decreases, the person feels very weak.
- cough,
- pain on the affected side during breathing.
The sputum has a rusty appearance, breathing is heavy, and the patient’s wheezing can be heard from a distance. With x-rays and blood tests, doctors detect significant changes. Pneumonia is treated by pulmonologists and general practitioners. Severe forms of the disease require hospitalization.
An abscess is similar to pneumonia in general symptoms. Available:
- temperature increase,
- bleeding when coughing,
- general weakness,
- chest pain when breathing,
- dyspnea,
- toxicosis.
In this case, a wet cough occurs, the temperature decreases, and the person’s condition becomes better. If symptoms are detected, you should immediately call an ambulance.
Pulmonary infarction
This is a spontaneous condition characterized by shortness of breath, chest discomfort, interruptions in heart function, blue discoloration of the limbs and the area around the mouth.
The pressure can be so intense that the sick person will lose consciousness. The temperature also often rises and a cough with blood discharge appears. Breathing weakens when the lungs fill with blood. To save a person's life, urgent hospitalization should be performed.
Tuberculosis
A disease that is characterized by:
- sluggish flow,
- weight loss,
- malaise,
- low-grade fever,
- enlarged lymph nodes.
The cough lasts for several months, causing chest pain. There is also difficulty breathing and hemoptysis. The disease is treated by a phthisiatrician.
Pneumothorax
Severe fear, shortness of breath, blue or pale appearance, and respiratory failure appear. A dry cough is often observed. Prompt hospitalization to the surgical department is required.
Other causes of discomfort
One of the causes of cyclic pain is intercostal neuralgia
A variety of diseases can cause compression in the chest cavity, difficulty breathing and pain:
- Intercostal neuralgia. It is usually provoked by osteochondrosis, stress, and injury. The patient feels a burning pain on the left or right, it intensifies when coughing.
- Acute gastritis. Often the pathology leads to compression of the chest due to the pressure of the stomach on the diaphragm and chest cavity.
- Angina. Compression occurs at the level of the throat, a lump is felt. Caused by enlarged tonsils. The patient is bothered by attacks of suffocation and his lips turn blue.
Other respiratory diseases, as well as pathologies from the gastrointestinal tract, can provoke symptoms.
The main causes of cough when inhaling or taking a deep breath
The occurrence of cough when inhaling is due to increased thoracic pressure, which provokes muscle contraction of the diaphragm. This process leads to closure of the glottis, which disrupts the full passage of air into the bronchi and lungs. When the glottis opens, a large volume of air rushes into the lungs, causing a cough.
This phenomenon may be caused by the following reasons:
- diseases of viral and bacterial origin;
- traumatic damage to the ribs, chest;
- allergic reaction;
- intercostal neuralgia.
A cough with a deep breath caused by an allergy differs from an infectious cough in that various foreign agents act as provoking factors for its occurrence. The symptom appears, as a rule, at night or in the morning, accompanied by wheezing breathing. In case of an allergic reaction, most often there is a dry cough without fever, which cannot be treated with simple antitussives.
A reflex reaction to traumatic injuries to the chest occurs due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the lungs by sharp fragments of the ribs. Against this background, a dry cough appears when inhaling, a violation of the respiratory process. There may also be a discharge of mucous secretion mixed with blood.
Damage to the intercostal nerves can provoke a cough without the formation of sputum, pain in the chest area that increases with inhalation, and heart rhythm disturbances. Symptomatic manifestations become more pronounced when staying in one position for a long time, bending and turning the body.
Pressure in the chest area during pregnancy
During pregnancy, chest pain can be caused by oxygen starvation of the myocardium
Unpleasant symptoms develop in women in the 2-3 trimester of pregnancy, when the organs begin to put strong pressure on the lungs. Chest pressure can also be caused by the following factors:
- hormonal changes - relaxin is produced, which affects the structure of the chest and can cause breathing difficulties;
- uterine pressure - the organ increases in size so much that it constantly puts pressure on the diaphragm, which leads to pinching of nerve endings;
- oxygen starvation of the myocardium - the heart experiences serious stress during pregnancy, which leads to the development of certain pathologies.
Possible diseases
Any throat disease in the initial stage causes this sensation. Influenza and parainfluenza begin with irritation of the posterior wall of the larynx, in which viruses enter through the upper respiratory tract . Bacterial infections, causing inflammation in the soft tissues of the larynx, also irritate it.
New growths also begin with soreness. They can be malignant or benign. At an early stage, the symptoms resemble tracheitis and laryngitis, provoke a tickling in the throat and a severe cough, especially at night, then pain appears, and swallowing reflexes are impaired.
Coughing attacks may disappear after a while or become debilitating. There is a feeling that there is a foreign object in the throat.
Tickling in the larynx can signal neuroses that provoke neurological, organic chronic and infectious diseases.
A sore throat also indicates diseases such as:
- Damage to the cranial nerves (bulbar palsies). In addition to the sore throat, this disease also affects speech and swallowing functions, causing saliva to leak from the corners of the mouth.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, more often - osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
- Vegetative manifestations after stressful conditions.
- Complications after infectious diseases;
- Syphilis.
- Multiple sclerosis.
Small dispersed particles contained in the air are a powerful irritant for the nasopharyngeal mucosa. People from many professions suffer from this phenomenon: plasterers, librarians, metallurgists, spinners, etc.
Teachers and people in public professions (speakers, singers, actors) also experience irritation - chronic tracheitis. At first, constant overstrain of the vocal cords leads to a change in timbre and hoarseness, constant coughing, and then the voice may disappear completely.