Why Stomachs Hurt When You Have a Cold

How Colds Can Lead to Abdominal Discomfort

Colds and flus are infamous for causing unpleasant symptoms like coughing, sore throats, and stuffy noses. However, respiratory infections can also generate less obvious digestive complaints like stomach aches, cramps, and pain when coughing—leading some to wonder "why does my stomach hurt when I have a cold?"

Explaining Abdominal Pain From Coughing

When we cough, it places a great deal of internal pressure on various muscles and organs as high volumes of air are forcefully expelled from the lungs. This can strain the abdominal muscles and irritate the stomach, intestines, and other digestive organs—potentially causing discomfort.

Excess mucus production trickling down the throat and repeated vomiting from severe coughing spells also irritate the digestive tract. Forcefully contracting a sore, inflamed diaphragm muscle to cough can radiate pain to the upper abdomen right below your ribs where this muscle attaches.

Other Digestive Symptoms

In addition to directly irritating guts with coughing, respiratory infections promote systemic inflammation that can manifest in various digestive complaints like:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bloating and gas

Lingering cold symptoms combined with poor nutrition and dehydration from eating/drinking less also take a toll. Secondary bacterial infections that sometimes follow viral colds and flu can also generate stomach problems.

Relieving Abdominal Discomfort From Coughing

Treating any underlying respiratory infection is key to resolving associated digestive issues. But in the meantime, you can minimize abdominal pain from coughing and soothe other stomach complaints with these strategies:

Over-the-Counter Medications

Swallowing over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin reduces inflammatory chemicals irritating guts. Cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan or codeine also diminish strains from frequent coughing. Consider antacids like TUMS to specifically calm upset stomachs.

Apply Heat

Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle over your abdomen promotes circulation to relax muscles strained from coughing. Heat also eases cramping and fullpathness. Use for 20 minutes 1-2 times per day as needed.

Gentle Massage

Lightly massaging stomach and sides with a few drops of ginger or peppermint oil can relax tense abdominal tissues. Avoid pressing too firmly on sore muscles.

Mind Your Posture

When resting or sleeping, curl up in a loose fetal position with knees gently pulled towards your chest to take tension off abdominal muscles. Add pillows under knees or behind back if needed for support.

Hydrate Well

Drinking plenty of water, broths, or electrolyte-rich sports drinks prevents dehydration from worsening digestive woes and thinning out mucus.

Adjust Your Diet

Avoid gassy, high fiber foods, heavily spiced meals, alcohol and caffeine until stomach issues resolve. Prioritize bland, low-fat nourishing choices like broth-based soups, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, yogurt, peeled fruits and steamed vegetables.

When to Seek Medical Care

Using conservative comfort measures, most minor abdominal issues accompanying a common cold improve within a few days. But contact your doctor promptly about concerning signs like:

Severe, Worsening Pain

Abdominal pain constantly rating over 7-8/10 or doubling you over may indicate an urgent condition like appendicitis, kidney infection or obstruction requiring immediate treatment.

Fever Over 102°F (39°C)

High sustained fever with abdominal pain suggests internal bacterial spread outside the respiratory system needing antibiotics or antivirals.

Repeated Vomiting/Diarrhea Over 24 Hours

Inability to retain fluids because of ongoing vomiting and diarrhea risks dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, especially in young children and the elderly.

Blood in Stool, Urine or Vomit

The presence of blood indicates internal bleeding or extensive irritation warranting further tests like colonoscopies or endoscopies.

Yellowing Skin/Eyes

Significant jaundice points to possible liver dysfunction or gallbladder inflammation interfering with digestive processes.

When a Cold Isn't a Cold

In most cases, belly troubles accompanying a respiratory infection will fade as you recover. But when digestive symptoms persist or seem disproportionate to the severity of cold symptoms, promptly talk to your doctor about evaluating whether:

You Have the Flu, Not a Cold

Influenza notoriously causes high fever, body aches and profound exhaustion surpassing common colds. The flu also destroys gastrointestinal tissues, explaining digestive complaints.

A Secondary Infection Has Developed

Lingering viral illness makes getting a secondary bacterial infection in the lungs, sinuses or gut more likely, provoking additional fever, chills and abdominal woes.

You Actually Have Gastroenteritis

Severe vomiting and diarrhea with minimal respiratory symptoms suggests you may be battling an unrelated stomach bug instead of a cough/cold.

Underlying Digestive Disease is Flaring

Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis can flare from viral stress. Colds can also trigger painful gallbladder attacks if you have undetected gallstones.

Preventing Colds and Their Stomach Side Effects

While stomach complaints with most colds resolve within days, preventing respiratory infections protects you from their uncomfortable abdominal effects. Protect yourself with good hygiene like:

Hand Washing

Clean hands regularly and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth to block transmission of cold and flu viruses entering the body.

Sanitizing Surfaces

Use EPA approved disinfectants to kill cold and flu viruses lingering on objects like doorknobs, phones, keyboards and kitchen tools.

Avoiding Contact with Sick People

Keep your distance from obviously ill people coughing and sneezing to avoid catching their infection and stomach issues.

Immunizations

Getting annual flu shots and COVID vaccines bolsters defensive antibodies to repel infection from seasonal respiratory threats.

Temporary indigestion from coughs and colds often resolves on its own. But using supportive care strategies, isolating severe symptoms needing attention and preventing viral spread protects you from prolonged misery.

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.