Why Do Your Abs Hurt When You Cough?
Experiencing abdominal pain when you cough can be alarming. However, in most cases, it is not a cause for serious concern. This common symptom has several potential underlying reasons that vary in severity levels.
Anatomy Behind Abdominal Muscles and Coughing
Your abdominal muscles span the front of your belly between your pelvis and rib cage. These core muscles stabilize your torso and internal organs. They automatically contract when you cough, sneeze or laugh as your belly pushes air out forcefully (tag p).
This quick flexing motion can irritate sensitive internal tissues and injured muscles. Additionally, existing abdominal issues may flare up from the muscle contraction. These factors help explain why vigorous coughing commonly aggravates pain in the abs.
Possible Causes of Abs Pain When Coughing
There are several possible reasons you may experience localized discomfort or aching when you cough in your midsection. Common causes include (tag p):
- Pulled or strained abdominal muscle
- Internal bruising or irritation from coughing
- Gastrointestinal reflux
- Urinary tract infection
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Ongoing constipation/diarrhea
- Menstrual cramps
- Hernia
- Appendicitis
Muscle pulls and urinary tract infections tend to be more mild cases. However, deeper abdominal issues like digestive conditions, reproductive organ problems or trapped nerves may require medical treatment. Analyzing your other symptoms helps identify the source.
Mild Causes of Abs Pain from Coughing
Two of the most common and benign reasons your abdominal muscles hurt when you cough are localized strains and general irritation (tag p).
Pulled Abdominal Muscles
It is easy to overstretch your abdominal muscles during physical activity, heavy lifting or intense coughing spells. Straining these muscles leads to microscopic tears in the tissue, resulting in soreness when you engage the damaged abs.
Since forceful coughing automatically contracts your core muscles, you typically feel the discomfort in the injured spot with each bark. Thankfully, pulled muscles heal quickly with rest and recovery methods.
General Irritation and Bruising
Repeated coughing can also irritate your GI tract, bladder and reproductive organs. The constant pounding motion essentially shakes up these sensitive organs, especially if coughs are deep and violent. This may cause temporary pain without structural damage (tag p).
In some cases, the extreme abdominal flexing also ruptures smaller blood vessels creating minor internal bruises around organs. These bruised areas usually heal after coughing subsides without intervention.
Seeking Insight from Associated Symptoms
Beyond strained muscles and simple irritation, various underlying conditions can also make your abs hurt whenever you cough. Taking inventory of other present symptoms provides insight into potentially more serious causes. Contact your doctor promptly about bothersome belly symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Ongoing digestion problems often flare up when coughing and flexing abdominal contents. For example, acid reflux may trigger burning upper abdominal discomfort when you cough forcefully. The pressure pushes stomach acid backward into the esophagus (tag p).
Similarly, the movement can anger sensitive bowels prone to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This causes deep cramping in the intestines, even from light coughs. Discuss chronic digestive problems with your PCP or GI specialist to identify remedies.
Urinary Tract Infection
Another common culprit making abs tender when you cough is a urinary tract infection (UTI). The inflamed bladder becomes irritated when adjacent abdominal organs shift and press against it. This referred pain typically feels like intense pressure just above the pubic bone (tag p).
UTIs also cause urgent, burning urination in most patients. Seek prompt medical treatment for suspected bladder infections before they spread to your kidneys. Usually a short course of antibiotics clears up the infection and coughing discomfort.
Menstrual Issues
Women may notice coughs aggravate cramps during their monthly period. Menstrual cramps occur from contraction-like spasms of the uterine muscle. The motion of coughing essentially adds contractions on top of existing cramp spasms (tag p).
Therefore, properly managing period cramps is key to reducing the compounded pain from coughing. Anti-inflammatory medication, heating pads and rest help calm the aggravated uterus.
Seeking Medical Guidance
While most cases of abs hurting from coughing are minor, your doctor should evaluate prolonged, worsening, or severe abdominal pain. Call your physician for evaluation if you experience (tag p):
- Difficulty breathing with coughs
- Fever over 100°F
- Blood in sputum when coughing
- Ongoing vomiting
- Unrelenting belly pain
- Tender abdominal swelling
- Pain with urination
These red flags may indicate medical issues needing hospital intervention. Abdominal problems requiring close management include pneumonia, kidney infections, appendicitis or ovarian cyst ruptures. Don’t downplay painful symptoms that worsen or fail to improve.
Gentle Self-Care for Abdominal Discomfort When Coughing
Most cases of abs hurting due to coughing start feeling better within a few days or weeks. While waiting for irritation and minor strains to improve, utilizing home treatments helps manage symptoms (tag p).
Limit Strenuous Activity
Avoiding athletic training, heavy lifting, and high-intensity exercise allows gently strained abdominal tissue to heal. Reduce movements requiring forceful engagement of sore muscles surrounding your midsection. Take the week off from CrossFit and hardcore workouts!
Apply Cold Therapy
Icing the tender area constricts local blood vessels to reduce inflammation related to muscle strains, organ irritation or UTI discomfort. Use an ice pack, bag of frozen vegetables or cold gel pack for up to 20 minutes several times per day. The cold temperature naturally numbs nerve endings as well.
Try Over-the-Counter Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAID pain relievers help relax muscles and decrease swelling. Common options like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) also dull nerve pain sensing. These can treat various sources of abs hurting from coughs (tag p).
People managing acid reflux or menstrual cramps may also benefit from targeted OTC treatments. Antacids neutralize stomach acid for reflux coughs. Menstruating women can use Pamprin or Midol specially formulated for period symptoms.
Use External Pain Relief Methods
Some hands-on therapies bring fast relief for sore abdominal muscles, bladder irritation, and gastrointestinal inflammation aggravated by coughs. Options include (tag p):
- Heating pads
- Warm Epsom salt baths
- TENS pain relief units
- Massage wands
- Tiger Balm ointment
- Essential oil rubs
The warmth and hands-on stimulation increases blood flow while relaxing muscles. Try rotating different solutions to determine your favorite home remedies.
When To Worry About Abdominal Discomfort from Coughing
As covered, most cases of abs hurting from coughing resolve on their own without complications. However, some worrisome symptoms warrant medical assessment (tag p). Seek prompt evaluation if you experience:
- Difficulty catching your breath
- Rib pain when breathing
- Fever over 101° F
FAQs
Is coughing up blood normal if my abs hurt?
No, coughing up blood is not a normal symptom. It warrants prompt medical evaluation as it may indicate a serious health issue like pneumonia, bronchitis, or pulmonary embolism. See your physician right away if you cough up blood.
Can gas and indigestion make my abs hurt when I cough?
Yes, excessive gas and indigestion issues like acid reflux can cause abdominal discomfort when you cough. The act of coughing creates pressure changes and muscle flexing that can further anger sensitive digestive organs.How long should I wait for abdominal coughing pain to improve?
Give mild muscle strain or general irritation around 2 weeks to start improving. If the pain worsens, persists at the same severity, or continues beyond 2-3 weeks, seek medical guidance to check for underlying medical conditions.
Is abdominal pain when coughing always a sign something is seriously wrong?
Not necessarily. Many cases stem from minor muscle pulls and organ irritation that clears up over time. However, worsening belly pain with other red flag symptoms should be evaluated quickly to treat serious conditions early.
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.
Add Comment