Getting enough exercise is vital to your overall health. However, if you experience painful breathing while working out, it may be cause for concern, especially since breathing pain could be associated with a variety of issues like lung or heart problems. If you experience sharp or lasting pain after exercising see your doctor immediately.
Physical Strain
Sometimes, simply working out too hard may be to blame for your breathing pain. Exerting yourself while running or performing another exercise that gets your heart rate up could put pressure on the muscles around your lungs. Likewise, you breathe more deeply and rapidly when exercising, which could cause inflammation in the chest. In most cases, an over-the-counter pain killer will ease the pain. Tightness of the chest or tingling limbs along with the pain warrants immediate medical attention.
Chest Cold and Cough
Having a chest cold or a persistent cough could also cause painful breathing after exercising. Inhaling deeply may be especially painful. Coughing a lot can strain your lungs and cause inflammation, resulting in uncomfortable feelings when you workout. Chest infections may also be the cause of your pain.
Asthma
For some, their breathing pain following a good workout is caused by asthma. This condition results in inflammation in the lung tissue, causing swelling that makes it difficult to get a full and deep breath. If you suspect asthma is the cause of your breathing pain, consult with a doctor for the appropriate treatments.
Pleurisy
A pleurisy is another cause of pain when you breathe, especially after exerting yourself. This condition causes irritation in the lining of the lungs. Sharp pains are common with a pleurisy. You may experience pain while at rest and notice a significant increase when you exercise. Visit your doctor if the pain is sharp and doesn't go away on its own within a few minutes.
