Back pain when taking a deep breath in the morning

Generally, the causes of back pain when taking a deep breath in the morning include improper sleeping posture, costochondritis, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, pneumonia, and others. It is recommended that patients seek medical attention promptly for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Improper Sleeping Posture

If an individual maintains an incorrect sleeping posture for prolonged periods during sleep, it may lead to muscle tension in the back when the chest expands during a deep breath upon waking, resulting in symptoms such as back pain and palpitations. It is advisable to maintain a proper sleeping posture and avoid sleeping in positions that strain the body.

2. Costochondritis

Costochondritis may be caused by repetitive movements. When taking a deep breath upon waking, expansion of the chest increases pressure on the ribs and cartilage, potentially causing back pain, persistent redness, and swelling. Treatment may include medications such as glucosamine sulfate capsules, chondroitin sulfate tablets, or Sanqi injury medicine tablets, taken under medical guidance.

3. Pleurisy

Pleurisy may result from bacterial infections. Inflammation of the pleura can cause surrounding muscles to become tense or spasm. When breathing deeply upon waking, chest movement may further aggravate muscle tension, leading to symptoms such as fever and back pain. Medications such as aspirin tablets, cefuroxime axetil granules, or pyrazinamide tablets may be used under a doctor’s supervision.

4. Intercostal Neuralgia

Intercostal neuralgia may occur due to compression of nerves around the ribs. When taking a deep breath in the morning, chest expansion may increase pressure on the compressed nerves, causing back pain and sensations like needle pricks. Medications such as mecobalamin tablets, prednisone acetate tablets, or eperisone hydrochloride tablets may be prescribed under medical advice.

5. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is often caused by bacterial infection of the lungs. Patients with pneumonia commonly experience coughing, especially when taking a deep breath in the morning, as this causes greater lung expansion. Coughing may trigger symptoms such as back pain and shortness of breath. Treatment may include medications such as nintedanib esilate soft capsules, prednisone acetate tablets, or pirfenidone capsules, taken as directed by a physician.

In daily life, it is beneficial to reduce consumption of spicy and irritating foods, and instead consume light, easily digestible foods such as egg custard, rice porridge, and Chinese yam porridge.