
Back Pain And Trouble Breathing
It’s no secret that back pain and trouble breathing often go hand in hand. But what are the causes of this association, and how can it be treated? In this article, we’ll discuss the causes of back pain and trouble breathing, as well as the treatment options available.
Contents
The Main Causes Of Back Pain
Back pain can be caused by a variety of things, such as an injury, illness, or arthritis. It’s important to get it diagnosed by a doctor before taking medicines or treatments of your own. Pain can also be caused by chest infection, anxiety, and heart problems.
Although the exact cause of back pain is not completely understood, it may stem from many things. In some cases, the cause may be due to conditions such as arthritis, which means that the joints in your spine are slowly wearing down and causing inflammation.
Other causes of back pain can come from issues with muscles, tissue, or nerves. Being overweight puts more pressure on your spine and can also lead to back pain.
What Leads To Trouble Breathing
If you’re having trouble breathing, it could be caused by a number of things. One of the most common is chest pain or pleuritis. This is a condition where there is inflammation in the membrane (pleura) surrounding your lungs. Breathing difficulties may also be due to asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and lung cancer.
Anyone can have trouble breathing. It is among the most common symptoms for people with various conditions. Trouble breathing can be triggered by a whole range of things, such as an anaphylactic reaction which causes the throat to swell and tighten.
It could also be heart disease that reduces blood flow to vital organs in the body. It could also be caused by excess mucus in the lungs that makes it difficult to take in enough oxygen.
What Are The Causes Of Back Pain And Trouble Breathing?
As noted, back pain can be caused by various health problems, such as a herniated disc. This condition causes pressure on the spinal cord, which can result in an electrical signal traveling to the brain that triggers pain. A person might also experience difficulty breathing because the nerves connected to their lungs might not be fully intact.
Causes can be due to an injury, infection, or cancer. Other causes may be stress or tension in your muscles. Some factors that increase your risk are being overweight and smoking.
Back pain and trouble breathing are usually caused by neuromuscular problems. This means that there is a problem with the nerves in the spine or around your lungs that causes pressure on your back or chest. The most common causes of these conditions include things like poor posture, injury, arthritis, cancer, and lung issues.
How Are Back Pain And Trouble Breathing Related?
Back pain and trouble breathing are two conditions that often go hand in hand. This is because the nerves in the lower back can lead to disturbances in the diaphragm, which can cause difficulty breathing. The first sign of this connection might be noticed if there is a sharp pain on the side of your torso near your back.
The following conditions can cause back pain:
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- muscle strain
- sciatic nerve irritation
- arthritis
- spinal stenosis
When there is an injury in the spine or inflammation of the nerves at the base of the spine, it can lead to difficulty breathing.
How Does Back Pain Affect Breathing?
Many people with back pain still experience resistance in their breathing. This is because pain can interfere with the way your spine moves, which restricts your lungs and limits the amount of air you take in.
The cause of the restricted breathing may be the pain itself or a problem with how your muscles react to it.
NEW: Where is your exact pain point?
Tap or click on the area that is causing you pain, answer a few pain-related questions, and submit it to get your personalized pain report.
(Used by 100+ daily users, including from MIT, New York University, and more.)
A first instinct might be to breathe deeper when you feel that your breathing has become shallow. However, there are instances where this may not be the best solution.
When pain is the primary symptom of shortness of breath, such as with back pain and trouble breathing, it is best to use a shallow breathing pattern because it will not exacerbate the problem.
The nerves to your lungs run through the spine. When you have an injury or problem in the spine, this can lead to breathing difficulties.
If a person has a neck injury, for example, it may cause them to have trouble breathing and make it hard for them to sleep. The pain can also worsen during the night as they toss and turn due to how they slept, leading to more difficulty breathing while they’re trying to get some rest.
Treatment Options For Back Pain
I would always suggest people start with a visit to their primary care doctor for an examination and to see if any other health problems could be causing the back pain.
This often leads to a referral to a specialist or an orthopedist. Between physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, or medications, there are many options for pain relief.
Doctors will often prescribe medications to help with symptoms such as muscle spasms or inflammation. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or alleviate pressure on those nerves and vessels. There are also treatments that people can use at home, including hot baths and exercise.
One option is to use heat or ice packs. Don’t go overboard with either one, but rather alternate between the two over the course of a day. It’s also possible to use compression by using a back support belt, rolling towel around your abdomen or wearing an elastic waistband that fits tightly around your stomach area.
It might also be helpful to take breaks from sitting at work when possible and stand up every 20 minutes for about 3-5 minutes each break.
A new study by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine found that chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture are two of the most effective treatments for back pain.
They found that chiropractic adjustments were more effective than acupuncture, but also more expensive. Acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial for treating chronic back pain, as well as other chronic health problems like asthma, hypertension, and migraines.
How To Breathe Easier
When it comes to pain, the biggest thing you can do is stay as calm and relaxed as possible. It’s also important that when you have trouble breathing, you try to put your head down and gently tilt it backwards. You may need to try a few different positions before you find one that works for you.
When we take shallow breaths, they are more likely to be shallower and interrupted. This will make our oxygen levels lower, which can cause us to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
Exercises like taking long, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth can help increase air flow and oxygen levels in your body.
If you’re having trouble breathing, try inhaling deeply through your nose. This will expand the chest and take more air directly into our lungs. Propping yourself up on pillows can also help to facilitate better breathing.
If you find that changing your position makes things worse, it may be a sign that something is wrong with your spine or chest. If this happens, it’s best to consult a physician immediately.
You may also want to try using a nasal spray that contains a decongestant like pseudoephedrine, or an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine.
Final Thoughts
The final takeaway regarding back pain and trouble breathing is that you should continue to be on the lookout for symptoms and treat them aggressively when they come up. If you have any question about your condition, call or see a doctor right away.
NEW: Where is your exact pain point?
Tap or click on the area that is causing you pain, answer a few pain-related questions, and submit it to get your personalized pain report.
(Used by 100+ daily users, including from MIT, New York University, and more.)