Side Pain When Breathing In: Causes & What to Do

Common causes of side pain on inhalation:

• Muscle strain: Overexertion or injury (most common).
• Pleuritis: Inflammation of lung/chest lining from infection, autoimmune disease, cancer.
• Pneumonia: Lung infection causing inflammation, fluid buildup, breathing difficulty.
• Costochondritis: Cartilage inflammation connecting ribs to breastbone.
• Hiatal hernia: Stomach protrudes through diaphragm; causes heartburn, chest/side pain.

See a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.