What Causes Stomach Pain When You Cough? Symptoms, Remedies

What Causes Stomach Pain When Coughing?

Coughing is the body's natural reflex to clear the airways. However, excessive coughing can lead to discomfort, pain, and injuries. One common complaint is hurts to cough in stomach. But what causes this abdominal discomfort and how can you find relief?

Reasons for Stomach Pain During Coughing Bouts

There are a few possible explanations for why your stomach hurts when you cough:

• The abdominal muscles are overworked - Violent coughing causes your abs to contract forcefully and repeatedly. This strain can cause muscular pain.
• Increased abdominal pressure - Strong coughs lead to large spikes in pressure inside your abdomen, which can aggravate conditions like acid reflux or hiatal hernias.
• Irritation of internal organs - The bladder, uterus, ovaries, and intestines sit near the abdomen. They may become irritated during intense coughing sessions.

Who's at Risk for Stomach Discomfort?

Certain groups seem especially prone to hurts to cough in stomach including:

• Pregnant women - Upward pressure from violent coughs can strain internal organs shifted by the expanding uterus.
• Those with abdominal muscle weakness - Insufficient muscular support leaves the stomach area vulnerable to strain.
• People with respiratory infections - Repeated coughing from colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis takes a toll on the abs.
• Individuals with hernias - Existing openings in muscle tissue mean forceful coughs can protrude organs through weak areas.
• Those recovering from surgery - Incisions into the abdomen require proper healing before the area can handle increased pressure.

Complications from Stomach Pain While Coughing

Ignoring hurts to cough in stomach can lead to complications like:

• Torn abdominal muscles
• Hernia formation or progression
• Urinary incontinence
• Hemorrhoid formation
• Pelvic organ prolapse

Seeking prompt treatment assists healing and prevents long-term issues.

How to Find Relief from Stomach Pain When Coughing

You can attempt both home remedies and medical interventions to ease hurts to cough in stomach. Possible treatment routes include:

Home Remedies

Natural options to try at home include:

• Apply a warm compress - Heat therapy boosts blood flow to relax muscles.
• Try an OTC pain medication - Acetaminophen or NSAIDs like ibuprofen can relieve soreness.
• Drink plenty of fluids - Proper hydration prevents aggravating coughs and spasms.
• Use cough drops - Soothe your throat to reduce coughing frequency.
• Practice deep breathing - Slow inspirations may calm coughing fits.
• Improve posture - Sitting up straight when coughing minimizes strain.
• Rest your abs - Take breaks between coughing fits to allow muscles to recover.

Medical Interventions

If self-care isn't working, call your doctor regarding these treatment options:

• Cough suppressants - Medications quiet coughing fits.
• OTC antacids - Help neutralize stomach acid backing up from intense abdominal pressure.
• Muscle relaxers - Prevent painful spasms and ease soreness.
• Antibiotics - Clear up underlying infections exacerbating coughs.
• Steroid injections - Temporarily calm inflammation contributing to coughing.
• Surgery - Repair severe muscle tears or hernias.

When to See Your Doctor

Call your physician promptly for:

• Difficulty breathing
• Blood in mucus
• Persistent fever over 101F (38C)
• Dehydration
• Severe or worsening stomach pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Urinary retention
• Inability to stand upright

Emergency care provides rapid treatment for dangerous coughing complications.

Protecting Yourself from Stomach Strain When Coughing

You can take preventive steps to avoid hurts to cough in stomach, including:

• Treat underlying conditions - Addressing acid reflux, muscle weakness, respiratory infections, and hernias prevents recurrence.
• Improve core strength - Physical therapy with a pelvic floor therapist targets key support muscles.
• Utilize proper body mechanics - Splint incisions, wear supportive undergarments, use pillows, bend knees when coughing.
• Avoid constipation - Prevent straining with fiber, fluids, light exercise.
• Stop smoking - Reduces chronic cough and cancer risks.
• Get vaccinated - Protect yourself against preventable illnesses like flu and pneumonia to minimize coughing fits.

The Takeaway

Hurts to cough in stomach results from overworked muscles, organ irritation, increased pressure, and underlying conditions. While usually mild, complications can occur. Home treatment options and medical care can relieve discomfort. And preventive health measures lessen your risk of developing troublesome coughs that strain your abdominal area.

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.