Pain when coughing

General

Coughing is a mechanism in the body that cleans the airways.

It is especially needed as a cleaning reflex when the cilia no longer clean the bronchial tree.
In addition, coughing occurs when you add heavily polluted air to the bronchial system or when you choke.

causes

Cough itself is not a disease, it is a symptom almost all bronchial and Lung disease.
In addition, coughing can also occur in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as an undesirable side effect when taking certain Medication (for example ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure) or at Reflux (Reflux) of stomach acid appear.

One distinguishes acute cough from chronic cough, i.e. a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks.
A common cause of an acute cough is through Viruses related infections of the upper airways (acute bronchitis).
The causes of chronic cough are the Chronic bronchitis (especially with smokers), chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD), the bronchial asthma as well as chronic Nasal and sinus infections.

Because of these diverse causes, coughing is one of the most common complaints, which is why a patient visits the medical practice.

Pain when coughing can be caused by many things. The most important thing for finding the cause is localization the pain. In the further course of this article, depending on the pain localization, the possibilities for pain when coughing are explained.

diagnosis

A medical consultation is especially necessary if the cough persists over a long period of time (longer than three weeks) or if he has any other complaints, such as Shortness of breath, fever, or bloody sputum (Hemoptysis) is accompanied.

In the event of a medical consultation, a medical history (anamnese) of vital importance.
Here, attention should be paid to whether there are other symptoms in addition to the cough, such as pain when coughing or a Weight loss exist whether the person concerned smokeswhat job he does, whether he works Allergies suffers and whether he determined Medication which can also cause dry coughs.

In the further course, the person concerned should be physically examined. Special attention should be paid to listening to the bronchi and lungs. Then, depending on the general condition of the patient and the duration of the cough, an X-ray of the lungs (Chest x-ray) to be appropriate.
Taking a blood sample followed by a blood test can also help reveal acute inflammation of the lungs.

Read more on the topic: Chest x-ray (chest x-ray)

In some cases, an examination of the bronchi with a flexible tube called an endoscope (Bronchoscopy) indexed.
If it is still unclear why the pain occurs when coughing, an examination of the organs in the region of the greatest pain can also be helpful.

therapy

The therapy of cough and also of pain when coughing depends on the underlying cause.
Will cough and pain through one inflammation triggered by lung tissue Antibiotics administered.

Besides that can also Inhale provide relief. On the other hand, cough suppressants have no effect on the cause of the cough, but suppress the urge to cough centrally.
They should only be taken after consulting a doctor and only if you have a dry, tickly cough.

prophylaxis

Smoking is a major reason for chronic cough.
For the prophylaxis of coughs, it is particularly advisable not to start smoking or to stop smoking.

Also one too dry room air can encourage coughing. Having a balanced lifestyle healthy diet and more regular Move strengthen the body's own defense system and protect against colds and coughs.

Forms of pain

For further important information, also read: Sore throat and difficulty swallowing

Rib pain when coughing

Pain in the ribs can be attributed to a variety of causes.
Even pronounced and long-lasting coughs can lead to rib pain as a result of strain on the rib muscles and respiratory muscles.

If the pain is very severe in the rib area, a possible bruise and a broken rib (fracture) can be excluded.
Broken ribs caused by a pronounced cough are rather rare. Therefore, if a rib fracture is caused by a cough, it should be examined whether the broken rib was previously intact, or whether the rib was already affected by a bone disease or a bone metastasis and was therefore unstable.

Pain in the ribs caused by coughing and muscular-related does not require special treatment. Home remedies, such as the application of arnica oil or warming compresses, can alleviate the excruciating pain.

In addition, it is important to ensure that pain-related breathing is prevented as this increases the risk of pneumonia (so-called pneumonia) elevated.
If there is a cough-related bruise in the rib or even a broken rib, pain relievers such as ibuprofen must be used due to the mostly pronounced pain.

In addition, breathing therapy is recommended in order to counteract pain-related breathing as well as possible. Breath-dependent chest pain and also when coughing can also be caused by pleurisy (pleurisy), the duration of which can be very different depending on the severity.
However, the cough is not the cause of the pain, but the rubbing of the two inflamed pleural leaves together (Lung pleura and pleura).

In addition to the pain when inhaling and exhaling, the examining doctor may listen to a "Leather creak“Be heard. Other non-specific symptoms that suggest pleurisy include fever, shortness of breath, and cough. As part of a wet form of pleurisy (Exudative pleurisy) the pain can also be absent.

Also read our topic: Rib pain and pain in the costal arch from coughing

Right-sided pain when coughing

If there is pain on the right side when coughing, this can be triggered by various causes.
The pain can be caused by a Injury to the ribs (Bruise or fracture) or by a disease of organs in the area of ​​the right chest or upper abdomen.

One example is a right-hand one lung infection (pneumonia) possibly with an accompanying inflammation of the Pleura (Concomitant pleurisy) or an isolated pleurisy.

In addition to pain on the right side when coughing, patients with pneumonia complain of other symptoms such as increased symptoms Body temperature, Exhaustion, Body aches and to cough, possibly also with Expectoration.

A rare cause of unilateral pain when coughing is a Clasp a pulmonary vessel, a so-called Pulmonary artery embolism (LAE).

However, this also works in a large number of cases with other symptoms such as shortness of breath (Dyspnea), Coughing up blood (Hemoptysis), Racing heart (Tachycardia) or even unconsciousness, hand in hand.
However, pulmonary artery embolism usually results from one deep vein thrombosis.

In addition to these diseases, right-sided pain is mainly caused by diseases of Liver, gall bladder or Large intestine evoked.
Depending on the diseased organ, those affected feel further symptoms. Thus, an acute inflammation takes care of the Gallbladder (acute cholecystitis) for colicky pain, fever, possibly with accompanying chills and nausea and Vomit.

If the colon is involved, those affected complain about changes in stool behavior or a Flatulence. In the case of acute, pronounced and / or persistent pain on the right side when coughing, a doctor should be consulted who should rule out the above-mentioned reasons as the cause of the pain, depending on the other symptoms.

Left side pain when coughing

If there is pain on the left side when coughing, this can be triggered by various causes.
The pain can be caused by an injury to the ribs (Bruise or a fracture) or by a disease of organs in the area of ​​the left chest or upper abdomen.

For example, one should be mentioned here left sided pneumonia (pneumonia) possibly with an accompanying Inflammation of the pleura (Concomitant pleurisy) or an isolated pleurisy.

In addition to pain on the left side when coughing, patients with pneumonia complain of other symptoms such as increased symptoms Body temperature, Exhaustion, Body aches and to cough, possibly also with Expectoration.

A rare cause of unilateral pain when coughing is an occlusion of a lung vessel, a so-called one Pulmonary artery embolism (LAE). However, this also works in a large number of cases with other symptoms such as shortness of breath (Dyspnea), Coughing up blood (Hemoptysis), Racing heart (Tachycardia) or even loss of consciousness.

However, pulmonary artery embolism usually results from deep vein thrombosis. Also the spleen, an organ in the upper left abdomen below the diaphragm, can cause pain on the left side when coughing.
Various infections or diseases can cause an enlargement of the organ, which is known in technical jargon as Splenomegaly designated.

This enlargement requires a Stretching of the spleen capsulewhich can then cause the pain below the left costal arch.
In addition, a clasp also performs a Blood vessel of the spleen (Splenic infarction) to significant pain while breathing or coughing.

Other organs like that heart, the pancreas or also the stomach can cause left-sided pain in rare cases.
Even with pronounced and / or persistent left-sided pain when coughing, a doctor should be consulted who should rule out the above-mentioned reasons as the cause of the pain, depending on other symptoms.

Otherwise it can lead to complicated courses of pleurisy, pneumonia, pulmonary artery embolism or diseases of other organs.

You might also be interested in this topic: Pain in the left costal arch

Upper abdominal pain when coughing

The upper abdomen (Epigastrium) is located in humans between the costal arches and the navel.
The following organs are located in the upper abdomen: Stomach, pancreas, liver and gallbladder, duodenum, spleen, main artery (aorta) and, depending on the situation, also proportions of the Small and large intestines.

Due to this large number of organs in the upper abdomen, it is understandable that pain in the upper abdomen can be triggered by a diverse number of diseases and that a careful investigation of the symptoms is indicated.

Typically, epigastric pain occurs with inflammation of the Gastric mucosa (gastritis) on. However, the pain is not related to the cough. If there is pain in the upper abdomen when coughing, this can also be caused by a lung infection to be triggered.

Pneumonia is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath and body aches. Inflammation of the lung tissue often develops from a previous infection.

Also read: Upper abdominal pain

Pain in the abdomen when coughing

The term abdomen is a slang term for the pelvic organs.
The pelvic organs include Rectum (rectum) and bladder (Vesica urinaria).
With the woman they come Ovaries (Ovaries), the uterus (uterus) and the Scabbard (vagina). For men, that counts Prostate gland (prostate) to the organs in the abdomen.

Because of this anatomical difference, abdominal pain can have different causes in women and men.
The pain caused by a so-called hernia, i.e. an intestinal hernia triggered, are typically related to the cough.

A hernia involves the passage of abdominal viscera through an opening that is usually in the abdominal wall. The most common is an intestinal hernia in the groin area, where it can usually be felt with the hands.
The pain symptoms vary, so that some sufferers have no symptoms at all, while others complain of pronounced pain.

Inflammation of the urinary tract are also a common cause of abdominal pain. In addition to pain, inflammation of the urinary tract can also increase the body temperature. The lower abdominal pain occurs mainly when urinating and can be aggravated by coughing.

Diseases of the other organs that are located in the lower abdomen can also cause pain in this region. Most of the time, coughing isn't the cause of the pain, but it can be Reinforcement of the pain symptoms to care.

A medical consultation in the event of pain when coughing in the abdomen is particularly advisable if it is severe and / or persists over a longer period of time. A visit to the doctor is also advisable if you have other symptoms such as fever.

Pain in the groin when coughing

If pain occurs in the groin area when coughing, this can affect one Hernia in the area of ​​the bar (Inguinal hernia) indicate.
In this case, the outer part of the peritoneum appears to protrude through a gap in the area of ​​the abdominal wall.

in the Hernial sac organs of the abdominal cavity such as intestinal parts can be found.
An increase in pressure in the abdomen caused by coughing or pressing causes the hernial sac to bulge through the gap in the abdominal wall and pain in the affected region occurs.
Therefore, an inguinal hernia is often found in the context of diseases that are accompanied by a strong cough.

Treatment for an inguinal hernia consists of one operative closure the hernia in the abdominal wall.

Pain when coughing during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the uterus increases in volume immensely.
The uterus is supported by connective tissue, muscles, and ligaments.
These structures become strong as the uterus increases in volume stretched.

Movements of the child or movements of the pregnant woman can lead to so-called Maternal ligament pain in the abdomen and in the Inguinal and cruciate ligament area come.

Also to sneeze or to cough can cause maternal ligament pain. However, maternal ligament pain should be avoided premature labor be delimited.
In the case of premature labor, in addition to the wave-like pain, the stomach becomes harder and harder and then soft again.

A coldEven if accompanied by a cough, even if it occurs during pregnancy, it usually does not have any adverse effects on the unborn child. However, medication should only be taken after consulting a doctor.