Can degenerative disc disease cause shortness of breath

Extending from the base of your skull to just above your hips, the spine takes up a lot of space in your body, and it can have an impact on many different structures, including your lungs. This is why back pain is sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath. In many instances, it’s not a serious issue. However, it never hurts to get a better idea of why back pain may sometimes make it harder to breathe.

Table of Contents Show

Muscle Strain
Extra Weight
Digestive/Abdominal Issues
Heart-Related Problems
How SCI affects breathing
Steps to prevent breathing complications
When to call your healthcare provider
Lifelong care
Can disc problems cause shortness of breath?
Can spinal compression cause shortness of breath?
Can spinal be a cause of breathing problems?
Can spinal pain cause shortness of breath?

Muscle Strain

Muscle overextension or strain is a common cause of back pain. Your breathing can be affected if the strain affects the large muscles that run along your spine and between your ribs. You’ll be more likely to have difficulty breathing when you take deeper breaths if spine-supporting muscles in your upper or middle body are affected. Fortunately, muscle strain often responds well to:

• Limited rest
• Activity modification
• Over-the-counter pain/anti-inflammatory medications
• Ice/heat applications

If your back pain is caused by a more serious issue, such as a spinal fracture, scoliosis, or degenerative disc disease, you may be a candidate for spinal fusion surgery. Los Angeles patients with severe or prolonged symptoms should consult a spine specialist to determine the best course of treatment for their circumstances.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a potentially serious respiratory infection that often develops after the flu or a cold. If you have pneumonia, you may experience back pain when you cough or breathe deeply. Once the pneumonia is treated, your back pain should go away if it was solely related to the pneumonia.

Extra Weight

Excess weight places more pressure on spine-supporting muscles. Added weight in the chest or back area can also make it difficult to breathe. Shedding excess pounds can be difficult, but a good starting point is getting regular exercise and making a shift toward eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods. Your doctor can offer more specific weight loss suggestions.

Digestive/Abdominal Issues

Sometimes unrelated issues in the abdominal area can contribute to back pain and breathing problems. For instance, the backup of stomach acid into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can cause shortness of breath and chronic coughing, which could then trigger back pain. GERD is usually managed with medication.

Issues with the gallbladder also have the potential to produce radiating back pain and shortness of breath. Surgery may be necessary if your symptoms are related to gallstones.

Heart disease can make it difficult to breathe as the heart struggles to get more oxygen-rich blood. Blockages in the heart can also contribute to spine-related discomfort. However, if you have severe chest pain and difficulty breathing along with vague symptoms like back pain, seek urgent treatment, since these are possible signs of a heart attack. Other possible reasons for back pain and breathing issues include:

• A blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• A tear in the aorta (aortic dissection)
• Lung cancer

Because symptoms can be vague, it’s not easy to tell if back pain is the reason you’re having difficulty breathing. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor to find out what’s going on. If your back pain and breathing problems are accompanied by chest pain, nausea, or dizziness, seek medical attention immediately.

If you’re experiencing back pain combined with breathing difficulty, don’t wait to seek the advice of an experienced Los Angeles spine surgeon. The spine specialists at The Spine Institute have unparalleled expertise in diagnosing and treating back pain, and our physicians lead the industry in cutting-edge treatment methods. Give us a call today at 310-828-7757 to schedule a consultation.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) does not affect your lungs, but it can affect your breathing muscles (muscles of respiration). This can affect how well you breathe. It also puts you at higher risk for pneumonia and other lung problems. Your healthcare provider and healthcare team will work with you to manage any breathing problems you have. You can also take steps daily to keep your lungs healthy and your breathing strong.

How SCI affects breathing

The nerves involved with breathing start in the neck and continue down to the middle of the back. An SCI anywhere in this region (T12 or higher) can result in some loss of control of the breathing muscles. The extent to which breathing is affected varies for each person. You may need the use of equipment, such as a ventilator, for help with breathing. Or you may breathe on your own with little or no help. But no matter how much help you need, you’re much more likely to get pneumonia than someone without an SCI. Your breathing care program and the tips below can help you prevent this and other complications.

Steps to prevent breathing complications

Follow this program to protect your lungs and improve your breathing. These tips can help:

Take precautions to avoid illness and prevent pneumonia:
- Get regular vaccinations. These help protect you against pneumonia and the flu.
- Learn and watch for signs and symptoms of pneumonia and other lung infections (see below).
- Avoid close contact with others who may be ill.
- If you do become ill, get plenty of rest and take medicines as needed. It’s very important to treat your illness quickly so that it doesn’t worsen.
Prevent buildup of too much mucus in the lungs. Problems with the breathing muscles make it hard not only to breathe, but also to cough. When you have problems coughing, too much mucus builds up in your lungs. This causes congestion and makes infections more likely. To help keep your lungs clear:
- Use the coughing techniques you were taught in rehabilitation to move mucus out of your lungs. Suctioning and other methods may also be used to remove excess mucus from your lungs and airway.
- Drink plenty of water daily. This helps thin out mucus so it is easier to cough up.
Do breathing exercises daily. Breathing exercises strengthen your muscles of respiration and help make it easier to breathe. Do any exercises you were taught at least 2 to 3 times a day.
Stop smoking. Smoking limits the amount of oxygen that is carried to your organs and tissues. It also causes great harm to your lungs. If you smoke and need help quitting, talk to your healthcare provider.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs of pneumonia or possible lung infection:

Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Chills
Coughing with discolored mucus
Increased congestion (buildup of mucus and other secretions in the lungs)
Rapid breathing, increased shortness of breath, or both
Chest pain or tightness
Pale skin
Weakness or tiredness

Lifelong care

After an SCI, you will need ongoing care to keep you active and healthy. This not only includes managing breathing problems, but other health issues as well. Take active control of your health. Do what you can to stay healthy and reduce your risk of problems. Get support from your family and friends as you need it. And let your healthcare team know if you have any questions or concerns about your care.

Can disc problems cause shortness of breath?

Spinal misalignment can cause shortness of breath due to several different reasons, including: Forward head posture: The neck is responsible for the position and movement of the upper ribs, which lift when you breathe in. It also contains the nerves that control the diaphragm.

Can spinal compression cause shortness of breath?

Pinched Nerve in the Thoracic Spine Often caused by an acute injury or accident, a thoracic compressed nerve causes pain in the upper back, chest and torso. PATIENTS COMPLAIN OF: radiating pain in the chest and back. weakness and shortness of breath.

Can spinal be a cause of breathing problems?

Respiratory impairment following spinal cord injury (SCI) is more severe in high cervical injuries, and is characterised by low lung volumes and a weak cough secondary to respiratory muscle weakness. Autonomic dysfunction and early-onset sleep disordered breathing compound this respiratory compromise.

Can spinal pain cause shortness of breath?

Shortness of Breath and Back Pain Sometimes this feeling of being unable to take a full breath can occur as a result of a pulled spinal muscle, while other times it can be the result of a more complicated spinal condition like scoliosis or kyphosis.