HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Can a muscle strain cause breathing problems?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Possibly: If the strain is severe enough to cause painful respiration, you will breathe shallowly and possibly hypoventilate. Over time this leads to atelectasis (collapse of alveoli), retained secretions, and pneumonia. All of the above results in hypoxia (low oxygen level). Again, this is only with a severe muscle strain.

Dr Koch and 2 doctors agreed

Answered 9/24/2013

4.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

I think I may have strain the diaphragm muscles at the gym (due to the symptoms am experiencing - did research), and am now having breathing difficulties, and the doctors think it's mild asthma, however, the asthma medications makes no different.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

How will i know what does a strained muscle have to do with my breathing?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Yesterday was diagnosed with a strained muscle from coughing, today I've been getting popping feeling & sound in my left lung when breathing, normal?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Ankle pain on both sides. Doc said injury caused by strain due to walking. Does wearing orthotics cause more long term problems or weaken muscles?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

What is straining of the muscle? Short or long term problem?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Is it possible for a muscle strain in the back to cause pain when breathing?
Remedies for a strain somewhr in the chest/back/rib cage area that caused all the muscles in those areas to contract and diffclty in breathing?
I have a strained muscle from inactivity. Does chest pain and problems breathing go in the same category as chest muscle strain?
Side muscle strain causing pain when breathing?
Do people ever get pain while breathing from a muscle strain in the back?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.