Several things can cause a burning sensation in your lungs. You shouldn’t worry about this condition most of the time, but other times, you may need medical treatment.
If you have burning pain in the chest, it might be a cause of concern, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. But most of the cases aren’t very serious.
Below we will explain some common causes why you may experience a burning sensation in the lungs.
Is pain in the chest serious?
Chest pain can be an issue with the lungs, ribcage, heart, and esophagus.
A burning sensation in the lung is common, and it’s not something you should worry about too much. But note that sometimes burning lungs can indicate a heart attack.
A person experiences a heart attack when the oxygen-rich blood supply to the heart is stopped. It’s an emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Common causes of burning sensation in lungs
Heartburn
When acid in the stomach rises up into the esophagus, it causes heartburn. It’s a painful condition. Your chest, throat, neck, or jaw may feel like burning. If the pain alleviates when you burp, the burning sensation that you’re experiencing in your lungs is definitely due to heartburn.
You can take OTC pain relievers to soothe the heartburn symptoms.
Chest infection
A few chest infections include pneumonia, common colds, and bronchitis. They can cause chest pain along with other symptoms such as:
- cough
- chills
- fever
- shortness of breath
- weakness
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight bacteria that is causing chest infection.
Asthma attack
Asthma is a chronic medical condition in which the bronchial tubes swell. These tubes are responsible for carrying the air in and out of the lungs.
A person may experience an asthma attack when the muscles surrounding these tubes become stiff. This makes the air passages very narrow.
An asthma attack can cause immense pressure on the chest. In some cases, the attack lasts for just a few minutes and then subsides. Other times it can last for hours. When breathing becomes extremely difficult, the patient may need immediate medical care.
Less common conditions may also cause a burning sensation in the lungs, including:
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism occurs when the arteries that provide necessary blood to the lungs get blocked. It’s a severe condition that can permanently damage your lungs and other body organs.
Here are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism:
- pain in the chest
- hemoptysis
- shortness of breath
Lung cancer
It happens rarely, but a person may experience a burning sensation in the chest due to lung cancer.
The symptoms vary from person to person, and some may have no symptoms. People with symptoms may have:
- chest pain that worsens when coughing, deep breathing, or laughing
- a persistent cough that keeps getting bad
- loss of appetite
- tiredness
- wheezing
- recurring chest infections
Treatment will depend on the type and level of cancer.
If you are experiencing burning in the lungs and the pain is getting worse, it’s best to consult a physician. Schedule an appointment with the experts at Pulmonary Medical Consultants by calling (281) 357-1300.