Why Your Abs Hurt When Coughing During a Cold or Flu

Why Do Your Abs Hurt When You Cough With a Cold?

Having abdominal pain when coughing during a cold or flu is very common. The muscles in your stomach and abs can ache from all the forceful hacking and wheezing. Here's why your abs hurt when you cough with a respiratory illness, plus tips to relieve the abdominal discomfort.

Intense Coughing Strains Abs

Frequent coughing works the abdominal muscles hard as they contract powerfully with each cough. This intense repetitive motion strains the abdominal wall, leaving abs sore.

Coughing Irritates Diaphragm

The diaphragm muscle below your lungs also tenses to expel air when you cough. This irritation of the diaphragm from excessive coughing can refer pain to the upper abs.

Inflammation Around Ribs

Inflammation from bad coughs can cause pain in the rib cage area right below your abs. The brain may interpret this as abdominal discomfort.

Increased Mucus Buildup

Excess mucus from colds drips down into the stomach, potentially leading to nausea, bloating and soreness under your abs.

Sore Intercostal Muscles

The intercostal muscles between your ribs can become inflamed and tender from severe coughing, causing aching around your abdominal area.

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain When Coughing

While muscle strain is the most common culprit, other possible explanations for abdominal discomfort when coughing include:

Urinary Tract Infection

A UTI can cause a sudden ache under your belly button when coughing or sneezing.

Kidney Stones

The jolt of coughing may shift kidney stones, causing a stabbing pain in your abdomen or back.

Hernia

A portion of your intestines pushing through a weak spot in your abdominal wall can trigger pain when coughing.

Pulled Abdominal Muscle

An already strained or torn ab muscle is more susceptible to worse injury and pain from coughing.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

Chronic heartburn can cause abdominal discomfort that worsens from coughing and deep breathing.

Warning Signs of a Serious Condition

While usually benign, abdominal pain with coughing can indicate a more serious problem in some cases. Seek prompt medical attention if you have:

Severe or Worsening Pain

Sudden, severe or progressively worsening abdominal pain needs evaluation, especially if concentrated on one side.

Fever Over 101F (38C)

A high fever with abdominal pain suggests an infection or inflammation requiring treatment.

Blood in Mucus

Coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus warrants investigation to rule out serious lung conditions.

Shortness of Breath

Difficulty breathing along with coughing and abdominal pain could indicate pneumonia or other lower respiratory problems.

Nausea or Vomiting

Ongoing nausea and vomiting along with abdominal pain may be signs of a gastrointestinal problem needing attention.

Home Remedies to Soothe Abdominal Pain from Coughing

You can use several home remedies to help alleviate sore abs from all the coughing during a cold or flu. Home treatment options include:

OTC Pain Relievers

Non-prescription painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce inflammation causing abdominal discomfort.

Heat Packs or Pads

Applying a heat pack or heating pad to your abdomen promotes circulation and relaxes tight muscles.

Cold Packs

Cold packs and compresses can numb nerve pain signals and inflammation in abdominal muscles.

Gentle Stretches

Light stretching helps relieve tension and spasms in your abs, ribcage and back.

Abdominal Massage

Gently massaging abdominal muscles aids relaxation and improves blood flow to reduce stiffness.

Rest

Getting adequate rest allows your abdominal muscles time to recover between coughing fits.

Cough Drops

Cough drops or throat lozenges can temporarily suppress the urge to cough, giving your abs a break.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Prevent Stomach Pain When Coughing

Making certain lifestyle changes can help minimize abdominal discomfort from coughing during and after respiratory infections:

Stop Smoking

Quitting smoking reduces chronic coughs leading to frequent abdominal muscle strain.

Improve Posture

Standing and sitting tall places less pressure on your diaphragm and abs compared to slouching.

Lose Excess Weight

Carrying less weight decreases stress on your abdominal muscles and organs during coughs.

Exercise Abs Regularly

Building abdominal muscle strength helps them better withstand repeated contraction from coughing.

Use Proper Coughing Technique

Coughing into a pillow or with your abdomen relaxed reduces abdominal muscle strain.

Treat Chronic Coughs

Seeing your doctor to control ongoing coughs from conditions like asthma prevents frequent abs strain.

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Discomfort from Coughing

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:

Severe, Worsening or Persistent Pain

Abdominal pain that becomes steadily worse instead of improving within a week of illness warrants medical assessment.

Pain Along with Other Concerning Symptoms

See your doctor if cough-related abdominal pain is accompanied by symptoms like weight loss, vomiting, or bloody mucus.

Difficulty Breathing

Shortness of breath along with abdominal pain with coughing may indicate pneumonia or a similar serious respiratory infection.

History of Abdominal Issues

Those with a prior history of stomach ulcers, hernias, or gallstones may need evaluation if coughing causes a related pain flare-up.

No Improvement After 10 Days

Abdominal discomfort persisting more than 10 days after a respiratory illness starts likely requires further diagnosis.

Diagnostic Tests for Abdominal Pain When Coughing

If you see a doctor for evaluation of abdominal discomfort while coughing, they may order tests like:

Physical Exam

Your doctor will palpate and examine your abdomen to assess muscle tension, hernias, enlarged organs or point tenderness.

Blood Tests

Blood work can detect indications of inflammation or infection contributing to abdominal pain during coughs.

Urinalysis

A UA checks for signs of a UTI or kidney issues that could relate to cough-associated abdominal discomfort.

Imaging Scans

Your physician may order x-rays, ultrasounds or CT scans to visualize the abdominal organs for problems.

Sputum Culture

Coughing up phlegm for analysis can identify lung infections potentially causing referred abdominal pain.

Medical Treatments for Abdominal Discomfort When Coughing

If an underlying condition is causing abdominal pain while coughing, your doctor may prescribe:

Antibiotics for Infections

Antibiotics treat bacterial lung or urinary tract infections that could contribute to abdominal pain when coughing.

Medications for GERD

Acid reflux medications reduce stomach irritation from coughing that can refer pain to the upper abdomen.

Cough Suppressants

Cough medicines containing dextromethorphan or codeine suppress severe coughs to give abdominal muscles a rest.

Steroid Inhalers or Pills

Steroids decrease lung and throat inflammation causing chronic coughs that can strain the abs.

Kidney Stone Treatments

Medications, sound wave therapy or surgery may be needed to address kidney stones causing abdominal discomfort when coughing.

Hernia Repair

Surgery to mend a hernia can relieve associated pain and discomfort made worse by coughing.

When to Visit a Gastroenterologist

You may need to visit a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) for evalution if you have:

Persistent Nausea or Vomiting

Ongoing nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain with coughing may require a GI specialist to diagnose.

Known Digestive Conditions

Those with inflammatory bowel disease, celiac or chronic pancreatitis often need a GI doctor to manage flare-ups.

Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss along with abdominal pain with coughing warrants assessment by a gastroenterologist.

No Relief from Medications

Severe or recurrent abdominal pain with coughing despite medication treatment may benefit from a GI specialist's expertise.

Pain Lasting Over 2 Weeks

Abdominal discomfort persisting more than 2 weeks after an infection may indicate an underlying GI or abdominal condition.

When to Go to the ER for Abdominal Pain While Coughing

Seek emergency care if you have:

Sudden, Excruciating Pain

Abdominal pain coming on quickly and severely may represent a major health problem requiring rapid treatment.

High Fever Over 103F (39C)

A dangerously high fever with abdominal pain can be a sign of serious infection necessitating hospitalization.

Bloody or Black Stool

Coughing up blood-tinged mucus or passing bloody/black stool indicates bleeding that needs emergency attention.

Unable to Catch Your Breath

Difficulty breathing or fast respiratory rate with abdominal pain could mean a life-threatening condition like blood clot or pneumonia.

Severe Vomiting/Diarrhea

Profuse vomiting or diarrhea leading to dizziness or fainting requires ER visit to avoid dehydration.

How to Prevent Abdominal Discomfort When Coughing

You can take measures to help avoid abdominal pain from coughing during or after respiratory infections:

Get Recommended Vaccines

Immunizations like the flu shot reduce your chances of illness leading to frequent coughing and abs soreness.

Practice Good Hygiene

Washing hands frequently and disinfecting household surfaces prevents transmission of contagious illnesses causing coughs.

Avoid Smoke Exposure

Stay away from cigarette smoke and other respiratory irritants that can cause chronic coughs.

Use Cough Etiquette

Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow rather than your hands to limit spreading germs.

Treat Heartburn

Taking medications to better control GERD prevents abdomen-irritating acid reflux during coughs.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of non-caffeinated fluids keeps mucus less thick so coughs are more productive.

When to See a Physical Therapist

Consulting a physical therapist can help in certain situations such as:

Difficulty Standing Upright

A PT can show exercises and techniques to improve posture and reduce abdominal strain.

Poor Core Strength

A PT will create a customized core-strengthening program to build endurance in your abs, back and pelvis.

Prior Abdominal Surgery

PTs can provide gentle stretching and activity programs to rehab abdominal muscles after procedures.

Recurring Injuries

Physical therapists teach proper body mechanics during coughing to prevent repeat abdominal muscle injuries.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD patients can learn airway clearance techniques to allow productive coughing that avoids abs strain.

Living with Chronic Coughs and Abdominal Pain

If you have frequent coughs with chronic abdominal discomfort, coping strategies include:

Using Prescribed Inhalers

Inhaled steroids prevent airway spasms and reduce coughs aggravating your abs.

Trying Over-the-Counter Cough Medicine

OTC cough suppressants can provide temporary relief from frequent hacking causing abdominal pain.

Applying Heat and Cold

Alternating heat and cold packs helps soothe abdominal muscle soreness in between coughing fits.

Avoiding Triggers

Prevent coughing episodes by staying away from irritants like perfumes, smoke or pollen.

Pacing Yourself

Take occasional seated rest breaks between tasks to avoid fatigue leading to more coughing.

Using Cough Cushions

Coughing into a pillow or cushion reduces strain on your abs by supporting your abdomen.

Trying Acupuncture

Acupuncture may help relieve chronic abdominal muscle tightness and discomfort related to frequent coughs.

With the right prevention and treatment, abdominal pain resulting from coughing during or after a respiratory illness usually resolves on its own. But recurrent or worsening discomfort may require further medical evaluation to identify any underlying conditions contributing to the problem.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.