It’s not unusual to experience discomfort in your abdominal muscles when you cough, but it can still be concerning when it happens, especially if the pain is sharp or lingering. Understanding why this occurs—and when it might be a sign of something more serious—can help you know the best steps to take for relief and recovery.
Here’s what you need to know about abdominal pain while coughing, including common causes, remedies, and when to seek medical care.
Common Causes of Abdominal Pain from Coughing
Coughing engages many muscles in your body, including those in your abdomen, so it’s not uncommon for this action to result in discomfort. Here are some potential reasons you may feel pain in your abs when coughing:- Strained Abdominal Muscles Frequent or forceful coughing can strain the muscles in your abdomen, leading to soreness similar to what you might feel after an intense workout.
- Overuse from Prolonged Illness If you’ve been dealing with a long bout of coughing, whether due to a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection, the repeated motion can fatigue your muscles and cause discomfort.
- Irritated Chest or Diaphragm The diaphragm, a large muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen, plays a key role in coughing. Its repetitive movement during coughing fits can result in pain radiating to your abdominal muscles.
- Hiatal Hernia This condition occurs when part of your stomach pushes through the diaphragm into your chest. Coughing may exacerbate symptoms like abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Abdominal Bruising or Injury If you’ve recently experienced an impact to your abdomen or undergone surgery, coughing can aggravate already sensitive tissues.
- Pre-Existing Conditions Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallstones, or endometriosis may amplify abdominal discomfort during coughing episodes, as the muscles contract forcefully.
Remedies to Ease Abdominal Pain
For most cases of coughing-related abdominal pain, simple remedies and good self-care can go a long way in alleviating discomfort. Here are a few tips to try:- Support Your Abdomen When you feel a cough coming on, place a firm hand or pillow over your abdomen for additional support to ease the strain.
- Apply Heat or Cold Packs Use a heating pad or ice pack on the painful area to reduce soreness and muscle tension.
- Rest Your Muscles Avoid heavy lifting or straining your abdominal muscles further until the pain subsides.
- Stay Hydrated Drinking water can thin mucus and reduce the intensity of your coughing, easing pressure on your abs.
- Coughing Techniques Try to cough with less force when possible. A humidifier or lozenge may also help reduce irritation in your throat, leading to less harsh coughing.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help manage soreness in the short term.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Mild soreness is usually nothing to worry about, but sometimes abdominal pain while coughing can point to a more serious problem. Call a doctor or visit an ER if you notice any of the following symptoms:- Severe or sharp abdominal pain that doesn’t lessen
- Pain that interferes with breathing, eating, or sleeping
- Swelling, redness, or warmth near the painful area (possible signs of hernia or infection)
- Vomiting, fever, or unusual bowel symptoms
- Blood in your cough or stool
- Persistent or worsening pain over several days