Stomach pain when breathing can have several possible causes, such as a hiatal hernia, pleurisy, or acid reflux. Pain while breathing can also indicate a medical emergency.<\/p>\n
When a person breathes, the diaphragm tightens and relaxes as air moves in and out of the lungs. The diaphragm is a large, thin muscle at the bottom of the chest.<\/p>\n
Due to the position of the stomach just below the diaphragm, pain when breathing can feel as though it is in the stomach when it is actually coming from the diaphragm or other nearby chest muscles and tissues.<\/p>\n
In this article, we describe some of the possible causes of stomach pain when breathing. We also explain when to see a doctor.<\/p>\n
As with any muscle, it is possible for a person to injure their diaphragm. Causes of diaphragm injuries can include:<\/p>\n
It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose diaphragm injuries because they often occur alongside other significant injuries to the abdomen and chest area. It is also possible that a person may not experience symptoms until weeks or even months after the injury occurred.<\/p>\n
The symptoms of a diaphragm injury can include:<\/p>\n
The diaphragm needs to move continuously to support breathing, so it is not possible for an injury to recover through rest alone. People with diaphragm injuries usually require surgery to repair the damage.<\/p>\n
Gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD<\/a>) is a condition in which acid leaks out of the stomach and flows back up into the oesophagus, or food pipe.<\/p>\n The\u00a0most common<\/a>\u00a0symptom of GORD is\u00a0heartburn<\/a>, which is a painful, burning sensation that occurs in the middle of the chest or abdomen. However, not everyone with GORD experiences heartburn.<\/p>\n Other symptoms of GORD may\u00a0include<\/a>:<\/p>\n GERD can occur when the valve at the bottom of the oesophagus becomes weak or impaired. Causes of GORD and potential risk factors\u00a0include<\/a>:<\/p>\n Some people can control the symptoms of GORD by making dietary and lifestyle changes. These can\u00a0include<\/a>:<\/p>\n Certain foods can also trigger or worsen symptoms in some people. Avoiding these foods may help reduce or prevent symptoms.<\/p>\n Examples of common trigger foods\u00a0include<\/a>:<\/p>\n Doctors can also prescribe medications that help reduce stomach acid and control symptoms. For people with difficult-to-treat GORD, a doctor may recommend surgery.<\/p>\n A\u00a0hiatal hernia<\/a>, or hiatus hernia, occurs when the top of the stomach pushes through a weakened section of the diaphragm.<\/p>\n Doctors do not fully understand what causes a hiatal hernia, but risk factors\u00a0include<\/a>:<\/p>\n A hiatal hernia does not usually cause symptoms itself, but it can make it easier for stomach acid to flow up into the food pipe, which can lead to GORD.<\/p>\n The\u00a0most common<\/a>\u00a0symptoms of GORD are heartburn and\u00a0acid reflux<\/a>, but it can also cause breathing difficulties and pain in the chest or abdomen.<\/p>\n People with a hiatal hernia who experience few or no symptoms may not require treatment.<\/p>\n For people with symptoms, treatment is generally similar to that for GORD and includes lifestyle modifications and medications that reduce stomach acid. If these treatments are not effective, a doctor may recommend surgery.<\/p>\n During pregnancy, a woman’s uterus expands, which can place pressure on the diaphragm. Hormonal changes, such as increased\u00a0progesterone<\/a>\u00a0levels, might also lead to deeper breathing.<\/p>\n These two changes may cause shortness of breath and pain or discomfort in the chest or abdomen in some women, particularly in the third trimester.<\/p>\n A pregnant woman may be able to reduce pain and breathing difficulties by:<\/p>\n Pleurisy<\/a>\u00a0is an\u00a0inflammation<\/a>\u00a0of the pleura, which is a thin membrane that folds back on itself to cover the lungs and line the inside of the chest cavity. This inflammation creates friction between the two layers of the membrane, which can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain when a person breathes deeply or coughs.<\/p>\n Other symptoms of pleurisy can\u00a0\u00a0include Trusted Source<\/a>:<\/p>\n Other pleural disorders involve the buildup of gas, fluid, or blood within the pleural space, which is the area between the two layers of the membrane.<\/p>\n These disorders can cause symptoms that are similar to those of pleurisy, together with:<\/p>\n People with symptoms of a pleural disorder should see a doctor as soon as possible. The treatment options will depend on the type of disorder, the underlying causes, and the severity of any symptoms.<\/p>\n Doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve symptoms. They may also recommend a procedure to remove fluids, gas, or blood from the pleural space.<\/p>\n Pain in the stomach area or abdomen that occurs while breathing may resolve without treatment. However, people with severe, recurring, or ongoing abdominal pain or breathing difficulties should see a doctor.<\/p>\n Anyone who experiences the following symptoms should seek immediate medical attention:<\/p>\n Stomach pain when breathing is often due to a problem with the diaphragm or other muscles or tissues in the chest cavity rather than the stomach itself. Causes can include diaphragm injuries, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, GERD, and pleurisy.<\/p>\n It is important to see a doctor for recurring, ongoing, or worsening pain when breathing. Seek immediate medical attention for severe chest pain or breathing difficulties.<\/p>\n\n
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<\/a>Hiatal hernia<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Pregnancy<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Pleurisy<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>When to see a doctor<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Summary<\/h2>\n