Did it ever occur that you’re sitting reading your book, and suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your chest? A burning sensation that makes you feel your lungs are on a stove? Ever happened? No matter how scary it seems at first, a burning sensation in the lungs is usually not dangerous.
However, you have to get immediate medical care to avoid any future big health complications whenever it takes place. Let’s start unlocking the major problems that kickstart this burning sensation in your body.
Heartburn
Heartburn or acid reflux is often the most common cause of burning chest pain. It usually occurs when the stomach acid backs up in the body and reaches the lower esophagus (the pipeline starting from your mouth reaching your stomach). Once the acid reaches the throat, you can experience dreadful irritation in the lungs, behind the breastbone.
This inflammation is usually the result of spicy food intake, smoking, obesity, and caffeine. You must consult with your doctor about this issue to prevent further health complications such as heart attack.
Esophagitis
When any injury or irritation damages the cells in your esophagus, you can experience esophagitis, resulting in painful chest pain. Although heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux is the main culprit, chemotherapy or digestion of corrosive substances may also cause esophagitis.
Asthma
People with asthma are also at the risk of experiencing severe chest pain. They have an inflamed bronchial tube – the passageway for the air to pass. Hence when the lung muscles tighten, it causes a painful burning sensation in the lungs.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
A rare condition, but PE can cause blockage in the arteries responsible for supplying blood to the lungs. PE is caused when a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) circulates in the body and settles in the lung artery. It occurs rarely, but PE can be a painful condition to endure.
Stomach Ulcers
Ulcers can be painful, regardless of where they are formed. However, stomach ulcers can develop in the stomach lining that can gradually develop into intense abdominal pain and ultimately transform into a burning sensation in the lungs.
Anxiety Attacks
These are common with people who are emotionally unwell or fear something. It’s a sudden outburst accompanied by episodes of fear lasting from a few minutes to an hour. If the anxiety doesn’t stop, it can transform into chest pain due to a hormone release, i.e., cortisol, leading to a fast heartbeat.
These attacks usually occur due to caffeine intake, traumatic events, or substance abuse. Even if you have a past traumatic chest injury, you can sometimes feel a sudden outburst of burning sensation in the lungs.
COVID-19
This has become a debate topic in recent times. Since COVID is a respiratory disease, studies have shown it can enter the air sacs in the lungs and trigger the pain receptors, causing intense chest pain. COVID can even develop pneumonia infection, which causes terrible pain.
Conclusion
Be mindful of the above signs when you feel a tingling in your lungs. However, when the burning sensation in the lungs gets unbearable, it’s time you seek some immediate care. Are you wondering who to call? Epic Heart and Vascular Centre is your place to be. We are experts in providing consultations to relieve your chest pain.
Schedule an Appointment today!