Why Does My Chest Crack When I Sneeze? Causes and When To Seek Care

Why Does My Chest Crack When I Sneeze?

If your chest makes cracking or popping sounds when you sneeze, you're not alone. This common and usually harmless sensation has a name - pleurothotonus. But what causes the chest to crack upon sneezing and when should you see a doctor?

What is Pleurothotonus?

Pleurothotonus refers to sharp, audible cracks or snaps coming from the chest during deep inhalation or forceful exhalation. Sneezing, coughing hard, or laughing vigorously can trigger pleurothotonus.

Doctors believe this chest popping occurs due to temporary vacuum pressure in the pleural space around the lungs. The pleural space contains fluid that lubricates as the lungs expand and contract against the chest wall. Sudden shifting can cause the pleural layers to snap or pop.

Pleurothotonus is considered benign and harmless in most cases. After sneezing, people may also feel a mild ache or pain dissipate quickly where the popping originated.

Common Causes of Chest Cracking

There are a few theories on why forceful respiration triggers chest cracking or popping:

• Quick lung expansion - The pleural layers rapidly separate, creating popping.
• Tissues stretching - Cartilage and ligaments around ribs and breastbone shift.
• Muscle spasms - Intercostal muscles between ribs involuntarily spasm.
• Cavitation - Pressure changes cause gas bubbles to form.

Sneezing in particular may lead to chest cracking because it involves a rapid, convulsive expulsion of air. Sneezing can create greater pressure changes than regular breathing.

Risk Factors and Contributing Conditions

While pleurothotonus can happen occasionally in anyone, certain factors can raise risk or contribute to more frequent chest popping:

• Chronic cough or respiratory illness
• Large lung capacity
• Tall stature
• Asthma
• COPD or emphysema
• Rapid, deep breathing pattern
• Muscle spasms, nerve damage or muscle injury
• Ribs or chest cartilage damage from injury or surgery

Activities requiring forceful breathing like intense exercise may also make pleurothotonus more likely around a sneeze. The elderly are also at higher risk due their aging respiratory systems.

Is My Chest Cracking Dangerous?

For most healthy individuals, an occasional pleurothotonus is harmless and a normal occurrence. However, certain red flags should prompt seeing a doctor promptly:

• Very frequent or strong chest cracking
• Popping that causes bleeding or bruising
• Difficulty breathing after popping
• Crackling combined with chest pain or tightness
• Snapping ribs out of place
• Popping after injury or trauma to chest

While rare, very forceful sneezing could potentially fracture a rib or further damage already weakened chest structures. Seek emergency care for sharp pain or inability to take deep breaths after chest popping.

When to See a Doctor

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience:

• Frequent chest popping that disrupts sleep or daily activities
• Changes in intensity, frequency or sound of cracking
• Difficulty taking deep breaths after popping
• History of lung disease, neuromuscular conditions, or injury
• Concerning symptoms alongside cracking like pain or tightness
• Coughing up blood or unexplained weight loss

It’s advisable to discuss chest cracking that arises alongside other worrisome symptoms promptly with your doctor to rule out serious conditions.

Professional Diagnosis

To diagnose cause of chest cracking, your doctor will:

• Discuss symptoms - Determine frequency, triggers, pain, and risk factors.
• Listen to chest - Hear pops directly via stethoscope.
• Perform imaging - Order X-rays, CT scans or MRI to visualize chest structures.
• Assess lung function - Evaluate via pulmonary function tests.
• Consider underlying conditions - Diagnose neuromuscular disorders or skeletal issues contributing.

Bloodwork may also check for autoimmune conditions. Be prepared to discuss habits, medication history, family history and recent illness or injury. With exam and diagnostic findings, the doctor can determine appropriate treatment.

Treating Chest Cracking with Pleurothotonus

Treatment for chest popping depends on the suspected cause and severity of symptoms:

• Observation - Reassurance that occasional pops are normal requires no intervention.
• Breathing training - Physiotherapy can correct poor breathing mechanics.
• Physical therapy - Stretches and exercises strengthen chest muscles and mobility.
• Medication adjustments - Changing timing or dosages if popping is a side effect.
• Back brace - Stabilizes spine and may reduce popping from shifting.
• Surgery - Repairing severely damaged chest structures in rare cases.

Treating any underlying chronic respiratory conditions is also key. Stopping smoking, using inhalers properly, medication, and avoiding triggers reduces flareups.

Can Pleurothotonus Go Away?

For many people, pleurothotonus may come and go over time. Avoiding triggers like forceful sneezing or coughing can help reduce frequency. Remaining active and mobile keeps your chest flexible.

However, those with structural chest issues may continue experiencing popping. Damaged cartilage and surgical scars can permanently change chest mobility. Chronic lung or neuromuscular disease also persists.

While not inherently dangerous, frequent popping can impact quality of life. See your doctor if home remedies don't provide relief from recurring chest cracking.

Prevention and Home Remedies

You may be able to reduce chest popping from pleurothotonus with conservative self-care:

• Avoid suppressing sneezes, but don't strain
• Use proper sneezing technique - head forward, mouth open
• Sneeze into elbow to avoid chest torque
• Gently stretch and expand chest before sneezing
• Hot showers to relax muscles and open airways
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories
• Apply heat packs or cold packs as needed
• Perform deep breathing exercises

Avoiding triggers only goes so far if allergies or illness provoke sneezing. But relaxing chest muscles beforehand may reduce popping and pain.

Causes of Chest Pain with Sneezing

Alongside popping and cracking, some people experience concerning chest pain when sneezing forcefully. What could be causing this?

Pulled Chest Muscles

You can occasionally pull or strain the muscles between your ribs when sneezing hard. The internal and external intercostal muscles that enable breathing can spasm painfully.

Bruised Ribs

While rare, an intensely forceful sneeze could theoretically contuse the cartilage of the rib cage. Deep bruising may trigger pain when sneezing.

Costochondritis

Costochondritis causes swelling of the costochondral joints connecting the ribs to breastbone. Pain flares with deep breathing and sneezing.

Tietze Syndrome

Similar to costochondritis, Tietze syndrome arises from inflamed cartilage in the upper ribs. Sneeze-related pain is common.

Pleuritis

Inflammation of the pleura membrane surrounding the lungs could cause sneeze-related chest pain. A viral respiratory infection is often the culprit.

While likely benign, unexplained chest pain warrants medical evaluation. Heart or lung disorders can underlie pain in some cases.

When to Worry About Chest Pain When Sneezing

Chest pain alongside other serious symptoms require prompt medical evaluation. Seek emergency care if sneeze-related chest pain is accompanied by:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Dizziness, cold sweats or nausea
• Pain or tightness lasting over 5 minutes
• Pain spreading to shoulder, arm, neck or jaw
• Very severe, crushing chest pain

While rare, it’s important to rule out scary causes like pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax or heart attack if chest pain seems excessive given the situation.

When to See Your Doctor

You should make a non-emergency medical appointment for chest pain with sneezing if you have:

• Sharp, stabbing chest pains
• Heat and swelling over the breastbone or ribs
• Pain awakening you from sleep
• Inability to take deep breaths without pain
• History of lung disease, heart disease, or arthritis
• Pain lasting over a week

scheduling a doctor’s visit can help identify the cause of chest pain and find relief through treatment.

Gaining Insight Into Chest Cracking and Pain

Popping or cracking when you sneeze is typically harmless pleurothotonus. But recurrent chest pain alongside sneezing deserves medical evaluation.

Seeking prompt treatment is key if you develop shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or crushing chest pain after sneezing. With a thorough exam, your doctor can determine if your symptoms are normal or require intervention.

In most cases, avoiding sneezing triggers, relaxing the chest, and proper breathing mechanics are sufficient. But don't hesitate to ask your doctor about worrying chest symptoms that linger or disrupt your daily life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.