A burning sensation when breathing can be an unsettling experience. This sensation is a symptom, not a standalone condition. Its intensity can vary, from mild irritation to a more severe feeling. Recognizing its origins is important for knowing when to seek medical evaluation.
Common Causes
Less severe and more common reasons for a burning sensation while breathing include various factors and mild health conditions.
Acid reflux, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), can cause a burning sensation in the chest mistaken for a lung issue. This occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining. The discomfort often appears after eating, or when lying down or bending over, and may be accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth or a lump in the throat.
Respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu, or bronchitis, can lead to inflammation in the airways and lung tissue, causing a burning sensation. Bronchitis, for instance, involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Symptoms often include a persistent cough, chest discomfort, and sometimes wheezing.
Asthma and allergies also contribute to this sensation through airway inflammation. In asthma, the airways can constrict and become inflamed, leading to chest tightness, shortness of breath, and a burning sensation, especially during an attack. Allergic asthma occurs when allergens trigger this response.
Environmental factors, such as dry air, smoke, or other irritants, can irritate the respiratory tract. Smoke inhalation from fires or tobacco can inflame the lungs and airways. Exposure to chemical fumes or strong odors can cause discomfort and a burning sensation.
Vigorous exercise, particularly in cold or dry air, can also cause a temporary burning sensation in the lungs. When breathing heavily during exertion, the body may struggle to warm and humidify inhaled air sufficiently. This can dehydrate and irritate the lining of the airways, leading to the sensation.
Serious Causes
More serious medical conditions can also manifest as a burning sensation when breathing, often signaling a need for prompt medical attention.
Pneumonia, a lung infection, causes inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus. This inflammation can lead to a burning sensation, accompanied by a cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Pleurisy involves inflammation of the pleura, the thin layers of tissue surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity. When inflamed, these layers rub against each other, causing a sharp, stabbing chest pain that can worsen with deep breaths, coughing, or sneezing, and may be described as a burning sensation.
A pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs, can cause a burning sensation along with sudden shortness of breath and chest pain that intensifies with breathing. This condition is serious and requires immediate medical intervention.
Heart-related issues like angina or a heart attack can also cause chest discomfort, including a burning sensation. Angina, caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, may feel like pressure or squeezing, and can radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. A heart attack involves heart muscle tissue dying from lack of blood flow, with similar but often more severe and persistent symptoms.
A pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, putting pressure on the lung and causing it to collapse. Symptoms include sudden, sharp chest pain and shortness of breath.
In some cases, lung cancer can cause chest discomfort, including a burning sensation. This pain may worsen with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing, and can be accompanied by a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, or recurring respiratory infections.
When to Seek Medical Care
Knowing when to seek medical attention for a burning sensation when breathing is important for timely and appropriate care. Certain symptoms warrant immediate emergency evaluation.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if accompanied by severe symptoms like sudden shortness of breath, crushing chest pain, dizziness, excessive sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw, arm, or back. These symptoms could indicate a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
Seek emergency care if there is sudden, severe chest pain that persists, especially if it feels like squeezing or pressure. Other warning signs include blue lips or skin, fainting, or rapidly worsening breathing difficulties.
For symptoms that are persistent but not immediately life-threatening, a doctor’s visit for non-emergency evaluation is appropriate. This includes a burning sensation that continues, worsening symptoms, or new accompanying symptoms like fever or a cough producing phlegm.
Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms interfere with daily life or if uncertain about the cause of the burning sensation. Even if the pain subsides, unexplained chest discomfort should be evaluated to rule out serious conditions.
Diagnosing and Addressing the Sensation
Diagnosing the cause of a burning sensation when breathing begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. The doctor will inquire about the pain’s nature, location, duration, and any other accompanying symptoms. This initial assessment helps narrow down potential causes.
Following the initial examination, various diagnostic tests may be recommended:
- A chest X-ray can reveal lung infections like pneumonia or fluid buildup.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) assesses heart electrical activity for issues like angina or a heart attack.
- Blood tests can identify signs of infection, inflammation, or cardiac markers.
- Spirometry, a lung function test, measures exhaled air volume and speed, helping diagnose conditions like asthma.
- In some cases, an endoscopy may examine the esophagus for signs of acid reflux.
Treatment approaches for a burning sensation when breathing are directly linked to the cause.
For acid reflux, lifestyle modifications like dietary changes and avoiding lying down immediately after eating can help. Antacids or prescription medications may also manage stomach acid.
Bacterial respiratory infections may be treated with antibiotics, while viral infections often require supportive care like rest and hydration.
For asthma, prescribed inhalers that widen airways and reduce inflammation are used. In more serious conditions like pulmonary embolism, anticoagulant medications are administered to dissolve clots and prevent new ones.
Self-care measures like hydration, rest, and avoiding irritants like smoke can provide relief. However, these are not substitutes for professional medical diagnosis and treatment.