Introduction
Coughing is the body’s natural mechanism to clear the throat. At times, a forceful cough can cause pain in the chest and abdomen. However, if it is painful and persists, it can be a significant sign of an underlying cause.
Why Do Stomach Hurt When One Cough?
One of the body’s natural mechanisms, in order to clear the throat, is coughing. Sometimes, there can be pain. However, if the pain persists, it can signify an underlying cause. The pain can differ, depending on the underlying condition. It can be sudden, intense, dull, aching, or severe, sharp pain. Sometimes the pain can be a reason for overexertion, as when some workouts strain the stomach muscles, etc. However, this pain is short-lived and disappears as the muscles get toned. At times, it might not just be while coughing; there can be a pain in the stomach while laughing or sneezing. It is necessary to consult a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying condition properly rather than trying to self-treat.
Can Excessive Coughing Cause Stomach Pain?
Excessive coughing can cause abdominal pain. The muscles are overworked and strained when coughing excessively for a short period, as in a common cold. As a result of the exertion, the abdominal muscles become sore. The stomach muscles can be strained by lifting a heavy object improperly, twisting in the wrong way, or suddenly engaging in a strenuous abdominal workout. This pain is short-lived and can be treated using simple home remedies. They usually disappear as the muscles recover or get toned. A doctor's consultation might be necessary if the pain continues or is along with a fever or dry cough.
What Are the Causes of Stomach Pain While Coughing?
An unusual coughing pain can be due to various underlying reasons, including:
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Appendicitis: An inflamed appendix is called appendicitis. There can be severe pain in this condition while coughing, sneezing, or even laughing. Other symptoms can include abdominal swelling, fever, bloating, constipation, decreased appetite, etc. Appendicitis must be diagnosed before it ruptures, leading to other complications. This is usually identified as a medical emergency and treated with surgical appendix removal. Mild cases might resolve on antibiotics.
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Cystitis: An inflammation of the urinary bladder due to some infection is called cystitis. It is commonly seen in women, and the common symptoms include frequent urination, foul-smelling dark urine, blood in urine, tiredness, etc. Proper fluid intake and hygiene may resolve mild cases, while severe cases might require a doctor’s consultation. There can be sudden abdominal pain while coughing. Recurring and severe cases might be the result of interstitial cystitis. Medication and lifestyle changes can resolve this condition. Surgery is rarely required for this.
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Diverticular Disease: This is a condition where small bulges appear in the large intestine, which gets inflamed. Mild stages might not show any symptoms. Symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, and bowel changes like diarrhea or constipation can be seen as the disease progresses. There can be a sudden pain in the abdomen while coughing. Blood in stool is rarely seen in this condition, but if seen, should be treated as a medical emergency. Medication, a fiber-rich diet, and probiotics are used to treat this condition.
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Endometriosis: A condition where the tissue lining the uterus is formed outside the uterus is called endometriosis. This can be a cause for pain in the lower back, pelvis, and lower abdominal areas, especially during periods, sex, urination, or bowel movements. Endometriosis can cause infertility. There can be sudden abdominal pain while coughing. Medical intervention might be required if these symptoms are seen along with digestive issues.
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Gallstones: Gallbladder stones form when bile, bilirubin, or cholesterol accumulate in the gallbladder. Gallstones are asymptomatic in the initial phases, but as they progress, they can give rise to gallbladder attacks (sudden and intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen). Abdominal pain lasting more than 30 minutes, bloating, pain in the upper back or right shoulder, fever, jaundice, gas, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting are the symptoms seen. There can be sudden abdominal pain while coughing. Surgical removal of gallstones might be necessary.
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Hernia: When an internal organ (mainly the bowel) protrudes through a gap of muscles in the abdomen, it is called a hernia. There can be a bulge in the abdomen or the groin area. There can be severe pain while coughing, sneezing, running, lifting heavy objects, or passing bowel. There can be a sudden pain in the abdomen while coughing. Severe pain that does not get better on rest, significant bulging in the abdomen, bloating, increased heart rate, fever, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in passing bowel, etc, should be considered a medical emergency and requires medical intervention. Hernia might require surgery to heal completely.
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Kidney Stones: Hard deposits seen in urine are called kidney stones. They are formed in the kidney and cause great pain while passing through the urinary bladder and urethra. Continuous pain in the abdomen can be seen. Severe pain in the lower back, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in urine, fever, nausea, and vomiting can be seen along with abdominal pain. There can be sudden pain while coughing. Small kidney stones usually resolve on their own with or without medication. Drinking sufficient water helps to fasten this. Bigger stones might require surgical intervention.
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Ovarian Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs developed in the ovary are called ovarian cysts. They are not alarming or need any concern. If associated with abdominal pain while coughing or lower abdominal pain, a sharp pain in the side of the stomach, or bloating, it might require medical attention. Small cysts can be treated with birth control pills. Surgical removal might be necessary for larger cysts, cancerous cysts, or cysts that do not respond to medication. A ruptured cyst may show symptoms like severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. This requires medical attention.
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Pancreatitis: An inflamed pancreas is called pancreatitis. It can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis shows symptoms fast, while chronic pancreatitis shows symptoms slowly and can cause great damage. Symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain while coughing or sneezing, pain radiating to the lower back, swelling in the abdomen, foul-smelling stool, etc.
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Patient at Risk for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD is a disorder where the bile flows back to the esophagus, affecting the lining of the esophagus. It causes a small discomfort from acid reflux, like pain in the abdomen while coughing, heartburn, etc.
Conclusion
Coughing is the body’s natural mechanism to clear the airway. At times, pain in the chest and abdomen can be seen due to the cough. If it persists, it might require medical attention. The pain can be different depending on the underlying condition. It can be intense, sudden, dull, aching, or severe and sharp. It is necessary to consult a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying condition properly.
