Can Excess Coughing Cause Chest Pain?
June 14, 2024 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Yes, excess coughing can cause chest pain. Here are several ways in which persistent coughing can lead to chest discomfort:
- Muscle Strain: Coughing repeatedly or forcefully can strain the muscles and ligaments in the chest wall, leading to muscle soreness and pain. This is similar to the soreness one might feel after intense exercise.
- Rib Injury: In severe cases, excessive coughing can lead to rib injuries, such as bruised or even fractured ribs, particularly in individuals with underlying conditions like osteoporosis.
- Inflammation: Continuous coughing can cause inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone (costochondritis), resulting in sharp pain that may worsen with movement or pressure.
- Lung Irritation: Persistent coughing can irritate the airways and lung tissues, leading to pain and discomfort, especially if the coughing is due to an infection or chronic respiratory condition.
- Referred Pain: Sometimes, the pain from excessive coughing can be referred pain, where the source of the discomfort is in the throat or diaphragm but is felt in the chest.
- Underlying Conditions: Chronic coughing can be a symptom of underlying conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), all of which can contribute to chest pain.
If someone is experiencing chest pain from excessive coughing, it’s important to address the underlying cause of the cough. Resting, staying hydrated, using cough suppressants or lozenges, and avoiding irritants like smoke can help alleviate coughing and associated chest pain. However, if the chest pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty breathing, fever, or coughing up blood, medical attention should be sought promptly to rule out more serious conditions.