New Onset Of Low Back Pain Masking Pneumonia In A Recreational Rugby Athlete: A Case Report
- 1Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences , University of Genova, Savona, Italy.
- 2Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Department of Clinical Science and Translation Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- 3Department of Physiotherapy, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.
- 4Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.
- 5IRCCS San Camillo, Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technologies, Venice, Italy.
- 6Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.
- 7Guardian Oncology and Center for Wellness, Missoula, MT.
How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed
Healthcare providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
- Chest X-rays. A test that uses invisible radiation beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
- Arterial blood gas. This blood test is used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
- Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped on a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.
- Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify the microorganism causing the infection.
- Pulmonary function tests. These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs. The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to get air in and out of the lungs. Progressive refers to the gradual onset of symptoms that tend to worsen over time. Cigarette smoking is the principal cause of COPD. The disease encompasses two main diagnosesemphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most individuals have components of both diagnoses thus the general term COPD is used. Flare-ups of COPD may be occasional to frequent.
Symptoms of COPD may include cough with large amounts of mucus, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, and weight loss. The disease may be diagnosed by tests to measure lung function, chest X-ray, and arterial blood gas analysis. There is no cure for COPD, but symptoms may be effectively managed through smoking cessation and medications. Individuals with severe disease may be candidates for surgery to reduce lung volume or lung transplantation.
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Acute Or Chronic Conditions
Heartburn, injury, or a slipped disk can all cause back pain that gets worse when you breathe. These conditions may be the primary cause of your back pain, or they may worsen the symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. While its possible to attribute back pain to these factors, a full consultation and testing with a medical professional is still the best course of action for a proper diagnosis and treatment options.
In these cases, treatment of the underlying condition usually eases or removes the back pain entirely. Rarely, more serious complications may require extensive amounts of physical therapy or minor corrective surgery.
What To Do With Back Pain From Pneumonia
You need to control the back pain. It is not just a matter of comfort. Uncontrolled back pain from pneumonia makes it difficult to recover and also makes you vulnerable to more complications. You can start by taking some Tylenol. Ibuprofen or Naproxen can be taken on top of the Tylenol. The goal is to make your pain tolerable enough to be able to cough and take deep breaths regularly. If over-the-counter pain medications are not enough, you may have to ask your doctor for prescription pain medications to enable you to cough and take deep breaths comfortably. However, it is best to avoid opioids. They can make you drowsy and suppress your cough reflex.
When you have a severe, sharp pain in your back from pneumonia, you may avoid taking deep breaths. If you dont take deep breaths, the lower part of your lungs may collapse. A collapsed lung can worsen your pneumonia and make you more short of breath.
Taking deep breaths and coughing normally are two very important things to help you recover from pneumonia.
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When Back Pain Is A Symptom Of Lung Cancer
Research suggests that the time between the onset of symptoms and a diagnosis of lung cancer is around 12 months. This is often because a person does not recognize the symptoms, or because they hope that they’ll go away. Back pain is one such symptom.
It is not uncommon for people to have back pain with lung cancer, or even to have back pain as their first symptom. In fact, there are certain defining symptoms that point to cancer as the cause of back pain.
Chief among them are the location and types of pain, which may be quite different from your typical, chronic backache. All told, around 25% of people with lung cancer will report back pain as a symptom at some point in their disease.
This article looks at how back pain is linked to lung cancer, and how this pain differs from other kinds of back pain. It also explains why early treatment for back pain is so important.
Verywell / Hugo Lin
How Can I Tell If I Have Pneumonia Versus The Common Cold Or The Flu
Do I have a cold or could it be the flu or even pneumonia? Its tough to tell the difference but critical to know when to seek medical care
Watch for these ongoing symptoms that occur in pneumonia:
- Serious congestion or chest pain.
- Difficulty breathing.
- A fever of 102 or higher.
- Coughing that produces pus.
Pneumonia symptoms last longer than cold and flu. If your symptoms arent severe, its okay to try such home remedies as getting more rest, drinking more fluids and taking some over-the-counter medicines and see what happens. But if you dont see improvement in your symptoms after three to five days, or if you are experiencing more serious symptoms such as dizziness or severe difficulty breathing, see your healthcare provider. Dont let it go. Pneumonia-like symptoms in very young children or in adults older than 65 are a cause for concern. Also, pneumonia can cause permanent lung damage if left untreated for too long. And always seek immediate care if you experience chest pain or have breathing difficulties.
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What Are The Symptoms Acute Bronchitis
The following are the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Back and muscle pain
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing
The symptoms of acute bronchitis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Far Infrared Heating Pads
Far-infrared heating pads use jade stones to create heat that warms beyond the surface of the skin. The warmth actually penetrates 1.5 inches deeper than traditional heating pads and warms you from the inside out.
These heating pads are scientifically proven to relieve aches and pains. and can help minimize back pain while you recover from the flu.
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Causes Of Lower Back Pain While Breathing
If you experience any incident of lower back pain while youre breathing, this could signify an underlying condition that needs attention.
When the pain is sharp and sudden, back pain while breathing could also point to a medical emergency like a pulmonary embolism or a heart attack.
From inflammation and chest infections through to spinal curvature and even lung cancer, there are many causes of lower back pain while breathing. You should educate yourself about this type of lower back pain. The more you know, the better the chances of catching serious health issues before its too late.
To help you do just that, well look now at just 5 of the leading causes of this form of lower back pain.
How To Regain Strength After Pneumonia
If you have pneumonia, the first priority is clearing the infection causing it.
This means following your doctor’s treatment plan very closely. Yes, getting plenty of rest. And, yes, taking every single pill in the bottle of antibiotics your doctor prescribed you if your pneumonia is bacterial in nature.
But, even after your primary symptoms fade away, you may be left feeling lousy, with low energy and/or dealing with a cough that just won’t quit. In some cases, you may feel weak for months.
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Who Is Most At Risk For Getting Pneumonia
People who have an increased risk of pneumonia include:
- People over the age of 65 and infants under age 2. The weakening immune system of older people makes them less able to fight off illnesses. Similarly, the immune system of infants is still developing and not at full-strength, making them more susceptible to infection.
- People with a health-caused weakened immune system. Examples include:
- People who are receiving chemotherapy
- Transplanted organ recipients
- People who have HIV/AIDS
- People with autoimmune disease and who are taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Where Are The Lungs Located On The Back
The lungs are located in the chest cavity between the heart and the spine.
They are a delicate yet vital organ of the respiratory system and are vulnerable to a range of illnesses.
The pair of spongy organs are lined by a thin membrane called the pleura, which helps protect and cushion the lungs.
They are housed inside the ribcage for protection, with the top of the lungs located just above the collarbones.
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It’s A Deep Pain That Hurts When You Take A Breath Or Cough
Different types of back pains often feel different, Poston says. If you experience back pain from coughing due to COVID, it will most likely be sharp and hurt when you take a deep breath or cough. If it’s back pain from pneumoniaa potential complication of coronavirusit’ll feel different from the regular back pain many experience by sitting too long or laying the wrong way. Poston says pneumonia back pain is more often described as an achy pain that “bores deep into the back.” And for more up-to-date information, .
Why Do I Have Lower Back Pain When Im Sick With The Flu
The most common question people ask is: Why does the flu cause pain in the back when back pain is not a commonly accepted symptom of influenza?
Its no secret that aches and pains are common with the flu its why we feel drained and achy constantly.
But prolonged and severe back pain just isnt considered typical.
Its exactly those same aches and pains associated with the flu that actually cause such excruciating back pain for some.
Heres why
When you have the flu, you have elevated levels of molecules known as cytokines and chemokines, which are created by cells affected by flu.
Both cytokines and chemokines are pro-inflammatory. That means they encourage inflammation.
When the levels of both of these molecules are elevated higher than usual with influenza, severe back pain is often the result.
But there are other factors, too.
One of the most common symptoms of the flu is a persistent cough.
Severe bouts of coughing could cause you to pull a muscle in your back, which can obviously cause pain.
Additionally, one of the most serious complications of the flu most common in older adults is pneumonia, which can cause pain in the middle back.
Key takeaway: The flu causes an inflammatory response in your body, which can cause back pain. But flu-related back pain can also be the result of a pulled muscle due to coughing or pneumonia.
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How Common Is Pneumonia
Approximately 1 million adults in the United States are hospitalized each year for pneumonia and 50,000 die from the disease. It is the second most common reason for being admitted to the hospital — childbirth is number one. Pneumonia is the most common reason children are admitted to the hospital in the United States. Seniors who are hospitalized for pneumonia face a higher risk of death compared to any of the top 10 other reasons for hospitalization.
Get Urgent And Professional Help For Your Back Pain At The Spine And Rehab Group
Patients that experience back pain while breathing are most likely at risk of developing a serious medical condition and should be examined immediately. While the underlying cause may be trivial, it can quickly escalate in severity and potentially develop into a life-threatening condition if left untreated.
The Spine And Rehab Group has years of extensive experience in diagnosing, treating, and preventing most causes of acute and chronic back pain, with an emphasis on excellent customer service and effective solutions. Our goal of becoming your partner in improving your spinal health has made us one of the leading healthcare specialists in New York, with fast, reliable, and accurate diagnoses that get to the root cause of your problem. Contact us today to set up your consultation.
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How Lung Cancer And Back Pain Are Linked
When we think about back pain, usually the last thing that comes to mind is cancer. Instead, we connect it to things like an injury, such as a muscle strain or ruptured disc. Or we may think it’s because of a degenerative disease, like arthritis or osteoporosis.
Back pain caused by lung cancer shares some common features with many of these disorders. Yet it also has distinct differences. These may relate to how and where the cancer causes pain, both directly and indirectly.
Some possible ways in which lung cancer can produce back pain include:
- A tumor can place direct pressure on the structure of the back, most often in the mid to upper back rather than lower back.
- A tumor can irritate the nerves that serve the lining of the lungs and chest wall. This may trigger a sharp and sometimes chronic nerve pain.
- Cancer spread from the lungs to the spine and bones happens in some 30% of people with lung cancer.
- Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands occurs in 40% of people with lung cancer, and can cause pain right above the kidney.
Healthcare providers may overlook a possible lung cancer as the cause of back pain, especially in people who have never smoked. However, at the current time, most of the people who develop lung cancer are non-smokers, either never smokers or former smokers. Lung cancer cases are rising in young women and men who have never smoked.
Whats Causing Lung Pain In Your Back
There are several reasons you may be feeling pain in and around the back of your lungs.
This pain may be due to injuries or disturbances in the lining of your lungs or the bones and muscles surrounding the organs. Persistent coughs can even cause back pain in the back of your lungs.
However, your lungs have very few pain receptors, and people often refer to more general chest pains as lung pains.
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Pleural Effusions Empyema And Pleurisy
There are two layers of tissue surrounding your lungs called the pleura. One wraps around the outside of your lungs and the other lines the part of your chest where your lungs sit. They help your lungs move smoothly when you breathe.
If your pneumonia isn’t treated, the pleura can get swollen, creating a sharp pain when you breathe in. If you don’t treat the swelling, the area between the pleura may fill with fluid, which is called a pleural effusion.
If the fluid gets infected, it leads to a problem called empyema. Tell your doctor if you are having any of these symptoms:
- Hard time breathing
- You don’t want to breathe deeply because it hurts
Your doctor may look for swelling or fluid with an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan. They might also give you an electrocardiogram to make sure that a heart problem isn’t the cause of your chest pain.
If you do have pleurisy, you may need medications that can stop the swelling.
For pleural effusions and empyema, your doctor may suggest a procedure that removes fluid from your body with a needle. Antibiotics are also an option to treat empyema.
What Is Upper Back Pain When Breathing
If you experience upper back pain when you breathe, it may be something to discuss with your doctor. It could be a sign of a serious disease, a spinal issue, or strain on the muscles around your shoulders and neck. For instance, people who have a rhomboid muscle strain or spasm may have overused their shoulder and arm. If you have this condition, you may feel pain in your upper back when you breathe.
Such pain can make you avoid taking deep breaths. As a result, you may not be able to take in enough oxygen, which can damage your health over time. Its important to seek medical attention if your pain is causing you to experience difficulty breathing.
Studies have also found a relationship between the use of electronics and upper back pain.
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