Have you ever felt a nauseous or aching sensation on the right side of your chest? Does this pain seem to increase when you breathe? If this pain is accompanied by chest tightness and difficulty breathing, you should be a little concerned. Most of the time, pain on the right side of your chest is caused by a problem with your lungs. But let's talk about everything that can cause this.
What are the main causes of pain in the right side of the chest?
There can be several causes of pain on the right side of the chest. These can be problems with the lungs, muscles, bones, or even the digestive system. In many of these causes, the main symptom is that the lungs are unable to take in air properly.
Let's see what the main reasons are for this.
| Cause | Simply put, this is what happens. |
|---|---|
| Pulmonary Embolism (PE) | A blood clot that has formed elsewhere in the body travels to a blood vessel that supplies blood to the lungs. There is a sharp pain that increases when you breathe in. There may also be difficulty breathing and a rapid heartbeat. |
| COPD status | Problems with the air sacs and airways in the lungs (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD) can make it difficult to breathe. It can feel like your chest is constricting. |
| Pneumonia | An infection in the lungs. In addition to chest pain, there may be fever, chills, and a cough with mucus . |
| Pleurisy/Pleuritis | An infection or swelling of the thin membrane that surrounds the lungs. The pain gets worse when you cough or take a deep breath. You may also experience pain in your shoulder. |
| Collapse of the lung (Pneumothorax) | Air enters the membranes that cover the lungs, causing part or all of the lung to collapse. A sudden, sharp pain in the chest can occur without warning . |
| Pulmonary Hypertension | High pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to the lungs. This causes chest pain as the heart has to work harder to pump blood. |
| Asthma | Various allergens can cause the airways to narrow, making it difficult to breathe. This pain can be accompanied by chest tightness and coughing. |
| Lung Cancer | The pain caused by lung cancer may increase when coughing, laughing, or taking a deep breath. |
| Broken Rib | If a rib is broken due to an accident, it will hurt a lot when you take a deep breath. This pain will last for several weeks. |
| Sprained Chest Muscle | If a muscle in the chest is injured, it can become pulled. The pain increases with movement. The area may also become swollen and bruised. |
| Herpes zoster (Shingles) | The same virus that causes chickenpox in childhood reactivates in adulthood. It usually appears as a painful blistering rash on one side of the body, usually on the chest. |
| Gallstones | If gallstones form in the gallbladder and block the bile duct, you will experience severe pain under the ribs on the right side. This can last for hours. |
How to treat this pain?
As you probably understand, treatment depends on the cause. Therefore, the first thing your doctor will do is to find the exact cause of the pain.
The most important thing is to see a doctor when you have chest pain like this, rather than trying to treat it yourself. You should follow his instructions exactly.
The treatment methods are simply as follows:
- Medications: Medications are used to treat many conditions, including Pulmonary Embolism, Asthma, COPD, Pneumonia, Pleurisy, Pulmonary Hypertension, Rib Fractures, Muscle Strains, Shingles, and Gallstones.
- Procedures or Surgery: Some conditions, such as Pulmonary Embolism, Pneumothorax (collapse of the lung), Pleurisy, and Gallstones, may require minor procedures or surgery.
- Cancer treatment: In the case of lung cancer, treatments such as radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy are used.
What happens if left untreated?
This is a serious matter. If left untreated, conditions like asthma, COPD, and pulmonary embolism can cause the body's organs to not receive the required amount of oxygen. This can even be life-threatening.
Also, lung cancer is fatal if left untreated. So, don't ignore chest pain.
Can these situations be prevented?
Many causes are difficult to completely prevent, but there are some things we can do to reduce the risk.
- If you have asthma, stay away from triggers.
- Stay away from tobacco products (smoking) completely. This is the cause of many diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, pneumothorax, pneumonia, and blood clots.
- Get vaccinated against shingles (herpes zoster) or chickenpox.
- Seek treatment promptly for respiratory infections. This will help prevent conditions like pleurisy.
To prevent blood clots...
- Live an active lifestyle.
- Use blood thinners exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid smoking.
- If you are traveling in a car or plane for a long time, always stretch your legs and exercise.
When should I see a doctor? Should I go to the ETU?
The simple answer is, definitely seek medical advice for any chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes.
Yes, in some cases, immediate treatment is needed. If you have these symptoms, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you have severe difficulty breathing .
- If there is a suspicion of pulmonary embolism .
- If you have a severe asthma or COPD exacerbation ( difficulty speaking even a few words ).
It's normal to feel uneasy when you experience pain in the right side of your chest. However, it's best to get checked out by a doctor to determine the cause. Then you can rest assured, get the necessary treatment, and recover.
Take-Home Message
- There can be many causes of pain on the right side of the chest. The majority of them are lung-related problems.
- When you experience pain like this, don't try to diagnose yourself. The best thing to do is see a doctor and get checked out.
- If you have severe difficulty breathing or difficulty speaking, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Return to the clinics on the scheduled dates.
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