Introduction Chest pain that worsens with breathing—often described as pleuritic chest pain—can be a sign of underlying conditions affecting the lungs or the lining around them. Unlike cardiac chest pain, which is often pressure-like and unrelated to breathing, pleuritic pain is typically sharp, stabbing, and triggered by inhaling, coughing, or sneezing. Three of the most common causes are pleurisy, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Recognizing the differences is crucial, as some conditions require urgent medical attention. 1. Pleurisy (Pleuritis) What It Is Pleurisy occurs when the pleura—the thin membranes lining the lungs and chest cavity—becomes inflamed. Symptoms Causes Management 2. Pneumonia…