The NHS has said that it could indicate more serious conditions
If you experience pain when coughing, sneezing, or moving, the NHS advises seeking medical attention, as it could be a sign of pleurisy. And you may need to call 999 as it could indicate a serious condition.
But what is this? “Pleurisy is inflammation around the lungs, which causes sharp chest pain. It’s easy to treat and usually gets better in a few days, but can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like pneumonia”, the NHS explains.
What is pleurisy?
Experts at WedMB, explain that the chest pain affects part of your body called the pleura – and you have two in total with one for each lung.
They write: “Each pleura consists of two thin, sheet-like layers of tissue. The inner layer covers your lung. The other layer lines the inside of your chest wall. They fit snugly within your chest. There’s a small amount of fluid in the space between the two layers (the pleural space). This helps the pleurae glide smoothly as you breathe.
“These layers keep your bare lungs from rubbing against the wall of your chest cavity every time you breathe in. When the pleurae are swollen and inflamed, they rub against each other in a painful way each time your lungs expand. When you inhale deeply, cough, sneeze, or laugh, you’ll probably feel a sharp, stabbing pain in the area that’s affected.”
What are the symptoms of pleurisy?
The main symptom of pleurisy is a sharp chest pain that occurs when you breathe in. The pain may worsen with coughing, sneezing or movement and can extend to your shoulders and back.
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- you have sudden chest pain that lasts for 15 minutes or more
- you have sudden chest pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw
- you have difficulty breathing
- you’re coughing up more than just a few spots or streaks of blood
- you’re coughing up blood and finding it hard to breathe, have a very fast heartbeat, or have pain in your chest or upper back
These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition, such as a heart attack or a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Go to your GP or call 111 if:
- you have sharp chest pain that comes and goes, or only happens when breathing or coughing
- you have sharp chest pain that has not got better after a few days
- you’ve coughed up a few small spots, flecks or streaks of blood, or noticed blood in your phlegm or on a handkerchief
- you’re feeling short of breath regularly
If you visit your GP, at the appointment a GP will examine you and listen to your chest. If they suspect something is wrong, they cam refer you to a specialist.
You may need to have tests, such as:
- blood tests
- a chest X-ray
- an ultrasound scan
- a CT scan
What is the treatment for pleurisy?
Pleurisy usually clears up on its own within a few days without needing treatment from a GP. However, if it’s caused by a bacterial infection like pneumonia, antibiotics may be necessary.
You can ease the chest pain by:
- taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- resting in different positions until you find a comfortable one – lying on the painful side can help
You may need hospital treatment if your symptoms are severe or caused by a serious condition like a pulmonary embolism or tuberculosis.
