Why does lungs hurt while running

You only have to look at what happens when you don't do it to see why. But physical activity also comes with its fair share of aches and pains — and there's no denying that sometimes it can hurt. If we were to stop working out at the first sign of discomfort, however, we'd probably never do any exercise at all.

So when it comes to keeping fit, when do you tell yourself to stop griping and keep going — and when should you actually rest? Carly Ryan, exercise physiologist at Exercise and Sports Science Australia, says it's important to differentiate between "pain" and "discomfort" when working up a sweat.

Dr Nathan Johnson, associate professor of exercise and sports science at the University of Sydney, says while discomfort from feeling fatigue during exercise is normal, acute pain associated with injury or illness is not. Both Ms Ryan and Dr Johnson agree the easiest way to tell if you are feeling pain or discomfort is to just cease the exercise.

Good pain — or discomfort — according to sport and exercise physician Dr Andrew Jowett, reflects positive change in the body, and is part of the body's adaption to an activity or physical load. The chairman of Sports Medicine Australia says what's important is that you give your body some time to recuperate. One of the most common forms of pain or discomfort we feel during strenuous exercise is a burning sensation in our lungs or muscles that goes away shortly after we cease the activity.

This is caused by a build-up of lactic acid. Lactic acid is a by-product of the process your body goes through when it needs to create energy more quickly than it normally does, such as when you exercise.

Your working muscles usually generate energy aerobically i. Other dangerous—but less common—causes include pneumothorax a leakage of air into the space between the lungs and the chest wall and pulmonary embolism a blood clot in an artery supplying the lungs. Now for the worst-case scenario. You already know that the harder you run, the harder your heart has to work. But if your coronary arteries—which bring blood to your ticker—contract, the insufficient blood supply can induce chest pain when you exercise.

And, of course, physical strain can also prompt a heart attack an acute blockage of a coronary artery or an arterial tear. Friedman adds. Call right away if you experience these symptoms. Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search. The pain is often experienced with exercise and eases up with rest. In younger athletes, cardiac chest pains are most commonly related to congenital heart defects , meaning you were born with the problem. These include:. However, not all heart conditions that cause chest pains in athletes exist at birth.

With respect to COVID , current athlete studies suggest that the rate of incidence of myocarditis is extremely low. Singh says. Athlete or not, chest pains are always cause for concern and deserve prompt medical attention. If you are a young athlete and have chest pain, see a doctor right away. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Rizzo agrees, and adds that the presence of an underlying respiratory condition, such as asthma, can also make the airways more sensitive to the cooling and drying effect since tightening of the airways can cause a burning sensation and shortness of breath.

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