Coughing is your body’s natural method of removing irritants from your throat. In some cases, a forceful cough might hurt your chest and abdomen. Nevertheless, if you regularly experience stomach aches whenever you cough, this may be a sign that there’s something else going on in your body.
Depending on the underlying cause, stomach discomfort from coughing may vary in strength from a mild or dull ache to sharp, severe pain.
And it might not simply be brought on by coughing. Your stomach might likewise hurt when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise.
Any unexpected or ongoing stomach pain experienced with other symptoms must be evaluated by a doctor. Due to the numerous reasons for stomach pain, you should never self-diagnose yourself.
This post will examine some of the most typical causes of stomach pain that might be worsened by coughing. See a doctor if you experience symptoms related to the following conditions.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis suggests your appendix is inflamed. When this happens, you may experience severe abdominal pain that becomes worse when you cough, sneeze, and exercise.
Other symptoms of appendicitis include:
- abdominal swelling or bloating
- fever
- nausea or vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- decreased appetite
There’s nobody single cause for appendicitis. However it’s important to identify and treat this condition prior to your appendix ruptures.
Appendicitis is thought about a medical emergency that’s most often treated with surgery to eliminate your appendix. Mild appendicitis may also be treated with antibiotics.
Cystitis
Lower abdominal pain is likewise simply one symptom of cystitis, a common type of urinary system infection.
Other symptoms include:
- frequent urination
- cloudy or dark urine that’s likewise foul-smelling
- blood in your urine
- basic feelings of unwellness
Cystitis is more common in women, and mild cases fix within 3 days. Nevertheless, if symptoms become worse, you must see a doctor for diagnosis. They may prescribe antibiotics for treatment.
Repeating and severe cases may be a sign of interstitial cystitis (IC). You might have extreme pain around your stomach, hips, or bladder that worsens with activity.
Medications and lifestyle modifications can assist manage IC. Surgery is a less typical option.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease occurs when small sacs push out versus weak spots of your colon.
While mild cases don’t trigger any symptoms, development of this disease may cause:
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- nausea or vomiting
- fever or chills
- bowel modifications, such as constipation or diarrhea
- blood in your stool (uncommon).
If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. When diagnosed with diverticular disease, your doctor may suggest a mix of medications, a high fiber diet, and probiotics.
Blood in your stool is uncommon with this condition, however it’s considered a medical emergency.
Endometriosis
In the United States, endometriosis impacts at least 11 percent of women aged 15 to 44.
It takes place when tissues similar to uterine lining grow outside your uterus. This leads to significant pain in the lower back, hips, and lower abdominal locations, particularly throughout:
- periods.
- sex.
- urination.
- bowel movements.
Endometriosis isn’t thought about a medical emergency, but it can trigger infertility.
If you experience the above symptoms, in addition to digestion issues or bleeding in between periods, see your doctor for an appropriate diagnosis.
Gallstones
Gallstones happen when there’s excessive bile, bilirubin, or cholesterol built up in your gallbladder. While asymptomatic at first, gallstones can lead to gallblader attacks as they grow.
Symptoms of gallstones include:
- abdominal pain that’s severe and lasts for at least thirty minutes at a time.
- abdominal bloating.
- pain in your upper back or best shoulder.
- fever or chills.
- jaundice.
- gas or indigestion, specifically after eating fatty foods.
- nausea or vomiting.
Gallstones may be surgically removed. Or your doctor may prescribe medications that help liquify the gallstones.
Signs of a medical emergency include relentless fever and chills, sweating, and clay-colored stools.
Hernia
Hernias happen when an organ — typically the bowel — pushes through a gap in the muscles of the abdominal wall. You might discover bulging in your belly or groin location.
You may experience pain that gets more extreme when you:
- cough.
- sneeze.
- run.
- lift heavy products.
- pass a bowel movement.
If the gap is large enough, the bowels might slide in and out of the gap easily. This isn’t considered an emergency.
If the bowel gets stuck, it’s an emergency. The blood supply to that part of the bowel is typically cut off and that area of the bowel can die.
Emergency symptoms include:
- extreme pain that doesn’t improve upon rest.
- significant abdominal bulging or bloating.
- increased heart rate.
- fever.
- nausea or vomiting.
- inability to pass a bowel movement.
Hernias might be successfully treated with surgery to help repair gaps in your abdominal area.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones include solidified deposits that are normally found in urine. When a kidney stone passes through your bladder and urethra, you might experience severe abdominal pain.
A relentless stomachache is likewise connected with this condition.
Other symptoms include:
- severe pain on one or both sides of your back.
- cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- bloody urine.
- fever or chills.
- nausea or vomiting.
Kidney stones might solve by themselves with or without medication. Consuming extra water can likewise assist.
If the stone is too large to pass, nevertheless, your doctor may recommend surgery. Emergency surgical removal is also required in cases of infection or if the stone obstructs your capability to pass urine.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in ovaries. The majority of ovarian cysts aren’t cause for concern, even when they burst. Your body naturally looks after them as part of the normal menstrual cycle.
However, an estimated 8 percent of premenopausal women have large ovarian cysts that require treatment.
Symptoms of bothersome ovarian cysts include:
- lower abdominal pain.
- sharp pain in the side of your stomach.
- abdominal bloating or swelling.
Mild cysts may be treated with contraceptive pill. Surgery is typically reserved for large cysts that don’t react to medications, or for those that are deemed cancerous.
In some circumstances, a ruptured cyst might cause serious abdominal pain along with:
- heavy bleeding.
- nausea or vomiting.
- fever.
- rapid breathing.
- dizziness or fainting.
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas ends up being inflamed. Cases can be more acute or chronic, with acute pancreatitis triggering more severe symptoms initially.
Chronic pancreatitis might result in irreversible damage of your pancreas.
Symptoms include:
- abdominal pain that gets more serious over time.
- pain in the abdomen that spreads to your lower back.
- abdominal swelling.
- loose or foul-smelling stools.
- unintentional weight loss.
Weak Pelvic Muscles
While not considered a medical emergency, weak pelvic flooring muscles can cause pain and discomfort in some individuals with vaginas.
This is a common condition that impacts an estimated 1 in 3 women in the United States.
Lower abdominal pain and urinary incontinence are common symptoms of pelvic floor conditions, which may be aggravated when you:
- cough.
- laugh.
- sneeze.
- exercise.
Your doctor may advise pelvic floor exercises or medications to assist minimize your symptoms. More severe cases might require physical therapy or surgery.
Takeaway
Coughing is a natural reflex. However if it exacerbates or induces stomach pain, it is very important to talk with a doctor.
This is especially the case if you’re experiencing any other unusual symptoms.
Due to the vast array of health conditions that can affect the abdominal location, it’s vital to get a proper diagnosis.
