Bubbling feeling sensation in the chest is what a person might describe as cracking, creaking, or as if a balloon is about to burst. Many people experience it, and it has many causes. Treatment depends on the cause.
This bubbling feeling sensation is associated with a variety of conditions ranging from mild to severe. This sensation may occur alone or occur with other signs and symptoms. People with a bubbling sensation in their chest should always see their doctor for a diagnosis.
Possible causes
Here, we explore 12 common causes of the feeling of bubbling in the chest:
1. Bubbling feeling because of Asthma
People with asthma may have a bubbling sensation in their chest. Asthma is a lung condition that involves swelling and narrowing of the airways. It affects about 25 million Americans.
Other symptoms include:
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
Asthma can be triggered by:
• allergy
• exercise
• some kind of weather
Most people can control their asthma with lifestyle changes and medication
2. Bubbling feeling because of Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation requires medical treatment. While it is not usually life-threatening, it can lead to complications, such as blood clots in the heart.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat, usually faster than normal. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart are out of sync with the lower chambers.
Other symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- dizziness and confusion
- heart palpitations
- shortness of breath
- tiredness
- weakness
Atrial fibrillation requires medical treatment. While it’s usually not life-threatening, it can lead to complications, such as blood clots in the heart.
3. Bubbling feeling because of Bronchitis
Bronchitis causes inflammation of the tubes that connect the lungs to the mouth and nose, called the bronchial tubes. It can be short-term, or acute, or last for three months or more, considered chronic..
Other symptoms of bronchitis include:
- chest tightness or pain
- chills
- a cough
- mild fever
Treatment depends on a person’s type of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is usually treated like a cold, and symptoms usually go away in 10 to 14 days. Treatment for chronic bronchitis may include inhalers and oxygen therapy
4. Bubbling feeling because of Collapsed lung
A collapsed lung should be considered a medical emergency even when symptoms are mild. Symptoms typically resolve quickly, and there are usually no future complications with prompt treatment.
Below is a 3-D model of a pneumothorax, which is fully interactive. Explore it using a mouse or touchscreen.
Atelectasis or pneumothorax occurs when air leaks from the lung into the area between the lung and the chest wall.
As well as the bubbling sensation, a collapsed lung can cause:
- A bluish skin stone
- Weariness
- Flared nostrils
- Low blood pressure
- Arrhythmic heartbeat
Atelectasis can happen suddenly for no apparent reason or due to:
- injury
- a medical procedure
- lung damage
Atelectasis should be considered a medical emergency even if symptoms are mild. Symptoms usually resolve quickly and there are usually no future complications with prompt treatment. Below is a 3-D model of a pneumothorax, fully interactive. Explore it with your mouse or touch screen.
5. Bubbling feeling because of Gallbladder inflammation
Inflammation of the gallbladder or Cholecystitis or cholecystitis can be caused by a blocked bile duct, tumor, or infection.
Symptoms often flare up after eating, especially if the meal is high or high in fat. Symptoms include:
- fever
- nausea
- pain in the upper right or middle abdomen that may spread to the right shoulder or back
- pain in the upper abdomen when touched
- vomiting
Some people may also notice a bubbling feeling in the chest. Treatment involves antibiotics, pain relievers, or cholecystectomy. Untreated cholecystitis can lead to serious complications, some of which can be life-threatening
6. Bubbling feeling because of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD involves an increase in stomach acid into the food pipe.
GERD can cause:
- feeling of bubbling in the chest
- chest pain
- cough
- difficulty swallowing
- feeling like there is a lump in the throat
- heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest just behind the breastbone
- sore throat
- sour taste in the mouth
GERD can be caused by:
- bacterial overgrowth
- regular use of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Drink too much of alcohol
The usual treatments for GERD and heartburn are medications and lifestyle changes
7. Bubbling feeling because of Indigestion
Indigestion is pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, which can cause bubbling in the chest and rumbling in the abdomen after eating. Indigestion is also known as indigestion.
People may also experience:
- Flatulence
- Heartburn
- nausea
Dyspepsia disorders can be caused by:
- Eat too fast or too much
- Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
- Fatty or spicy food
- Smoke
- Some pain relievers and antibiotics
- Treatment with lifestyle and dietary changes, as well as medication
8. Bubbling feeling because of Pleurisy
Pleurisy or pleurisy involves inflammation of the thin membrane that lines the inside of the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs (pleura). It is caused by an underlying medical condition.
Symptoms include:
- Severe chest pain that gets worse when you breathe, cough or sneeze
- Shortness of breath
- Cough and fever, in some cases
Treatment involves addressing the underlying condition and controlling pain
9. Bubbling feeling because of Pleural effusion
Pleural effusion occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the space between the pleura and the chest wall. It is often a symptom of another condition, such as:
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Trauma to the chest
- Pneumonia
Symptoms include foaming in the chest, coughing, and difficulty breathing
10. Bubbling feeling because of Lung tumor
A lung tumor may be associated with a bubbling sensation in the chest, in rare cases. Lung tumors can be harmless or cancerous.
Many people with lung tumors do not develop symptoms until the tumor has been there for months or even years.
When symptoms appear, they may include:
- Chest
- Hemoptisi
- Fever
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
11. Bubbling feeling because of Pneumomediastinum
A condition called pneumomediastinum can lead to a sensation of foaming in the chest, although this is an uncommon cause.
This condition is caused by air getting trapped in the middle of the ribcage under the breastbone and between the lungs due to trauma or air leakage.
There isn’t always a clear explanation, but people with pleural effusion may experience:
- Cough
- Hoarse voice
- Neck pain
- Shortness of breath
- trouble breathing
- vomiting
12. Bubbling feeling because of Precordial catch syndrome
Cardiac arrest syndrome arises when the nerves in the chest are pinched or pinched. It usually appears in children, teenagers and people in their early 20s. It is usually not harmful, although alarming.
Symptoms include sudden severe chest pain and a bubbling sensation. Symptoms usually go away with age, but there is no treatment
Other causes
A gurgling or bubbling sensation in the chest can also be associated with other conditions, such as:
- air embolism
- angina
- anxiety and stress
- heart attack
- myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle
When to see a doctor.
If anyone has a feeling of bubbling in their chest, it is important that they consult a doctor. While bubbling can simply be indigestion, it could be a sign of something serious, such as a tumor or a collapsed lung.
Anyone experiencing the following symptoms should seek emergency medical treatment:
- Difficulty breathing, especially if it starts suddenly
- High fever
- Inability to stand up or walk properly
- Irregular circuit
- Numbness in the arm or side
- Pain spreading to the face or neck
- Severe abdominal pain
- Violent vomiting
Originally posted 2021-10-05 22:49:50.
