Coughing is a natural reflex of the body that it uses to remove the irritants in the throat. In several cases, certain people feel immense pain in their chest and abdominal area while coughing forcefully. Frequent sessions of pain in lower abdomen when coughing may be a sign of serious ailments, and it’s essential to look for immediate medical attention.
The intensity of the pain in the lower abdomen depends on the underlying conditions that cause the pain. Whereas some feel a mild or a dull ache in their abdomens, others feel severe pain that may worsen over time unless they are treated immediately.
Under severe conditions, patients feel a sharp pain in lower abdomen when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or even exercising. A sudden or ongoing stomach ache with other symptoms requires immediate evaluation by a doctor rather than self-diagnosis.
Common Causes of Pain in Lower Abdomen When Coughing
Appendicitis
It is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch projecting from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen.
Appendicitis causes sharp pain in lower right abdomen when coughing, sneezing, or even laughing. In most cases, the pain emerges around the navel and radiates through the abdomen. With time the acute inflammatory reaction leads to a typical increase in appendicitis pain, which eventually becomes severe.
The condition most often occurs in people between the ages of ten and thirty, and the standard treatment is the surgical removal of the appendix.
The Various Signs and Symptoms Of Appendicitis
- Sudden pain in the lower right abdomen when coughing, walking, or making other jarring movements.
- Sudden pain starting from the navel and shifting towards the right abdomen.
- A frequent feeling of nausea and urge to vomit.
- A severe loss in appetite
- Low-grade fever tends to worsen as the condition elevates.
Several other conditions like constipation or diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and flatulence are common signs of this condition.
The site of the pain varies depending on the age and the exact position of the appendix. That pain tends to occur in the upper abdomen during pregnancy as the appendix is higher during pregnancy. It is best to make an appointment with a doctor when the symptoms become worrisome, and the abdominal pain becomes severe.
Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder—these form when there is too much cholesterol or waste formation in the bile. Having gallstones in the gallbladder leads to sharp pain in lower left abdomen when coughing and performing other activities. Under mild conditions, the medications may dissolve the gallstones, but surgery may be inevitable under severe conditions.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of Gallstones
- Severe abdominal pain that lasts for at least thirty minutes at a time long with abdominal bloating
- Pain in the upper back and right shoulder
- Fever and chills are common in this situation, and patients also have jaundice in certain cases.
- Gas and indigestion, especially after consuming fatty food.
Hernia
The hernia is mainly located in the groin or scrotum, and it occurs when an organ, typically the bowel, pushes through the gap in between the muscles of the abdominal walls. As the bulge increases in size over time, it causes acute pain in lower left abdomen when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects. When the bowel is stuck, it leads to the cutting off the blood supply from the area, which must be treated as an emergency condition.
Emergency Symptoms And Signs Of Hernia
- Severe pain in the lower abdominal area and the site of the formation
- A Significant abdominal building or bloating
- An increased heart rate, and mild fever
- The inability to pass a bowel movement and a constant feeling of nausea
One can effectively treat The condition with surgery to help repair the gaps in the abdominal area.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones consist of hardened deposits found in the urine. If these lodge in the ureters, they block the urine flow, causing the kidney walls to swell and the ureter to spasm, leading to severely painful conditions. In severe conditions, you may feel a sharp pain in the lower back and below the ribs. The pain generally radiates to the lower abdomen and the groin. Burning pain in lower abdomen is associated with this condition.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of Kidney Stones
- Severe pain in one or both sides of the back
- The passing of cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or the traces of blood in the urine
- Frequent fever and chills and also a common nauseating feeling
Under mild conditions, the kidney stones resolve by drinking extra water. But when the stone is too large to pass, it requires immediate medical attention, and in most cases, the surgeons recommended surgical removal of the stones that block the passage of the urine.
Cystitis
Cystitis is the medical term for a Urinary Tract Infection(UTI). It leads to the inflammation of the bladder due to bacterial infections and leads to unbearable pain in the lower abdomen when coughing or performing any other strenuous activities. The UTI can be very painful and annoying and leads to severe health hazards when the infection spreads to the kidneys. The usual treatment for bacterial cystitis is antibiotics—the other treatments depending on the underlying causes and the severity of the ailment.
Common Symptoms And Signs Of Cystitis
- A strong and persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Hematuria is a condition referred to as passing blood in the urine.
- Pelvic discomfort and a feeling of constant pressure in the lower abdomen
- The passing of cloudy and strong-smelling urine.
Interstitial cystitis is common in women and causes bladder irritation and inflammation. This condition stiffens the bladder lining that leads to pain which eases over time. The recurring pain caused by the IC requires immediate medical attention as it tends to cause severe pain around the abdomen, pelvis, and bladder that tends to worsen with various activities.
Ovarian Cysts
It is a solid or fluid-filled sac that forms on the surface of the ovary. The ovarian cyst usually disappears within a few months, but they may cause severe complications in some cases. In most cases, they don’t cause any symptoms, but if the cyst does cause any symptoms, it may lead to bloating, swelling, and tormenting pain in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. The pain may be sharp or dull, and it may cure by itself. However, the rupturing of the cyst leads to severe pain and requires immediate treatment.
Common Symptoms And Signs Of Ovarian Cysts
- Sharp pain on either side of the stomach along with abdominal bloating and swelling
- Severe pain in the lower abdominal area
The mild conditions are easily treated using birth control pills, and the surgeries are typically reserved for a more significant formation or for cases deemed cancerous.
The rupturing of the cyst leads to severe abdominal pain along with heavy bleeding, fever, rapid breathing, dizziness, and fainting. These symptoms require immediate consultation with the doctor.
Takeaway
Conclusively several medical conditions may lead to pain in the abdomen when coughing, sneezing, or performing activities. Even though coughing is a natural phenomenon, it is necessary to consult with a doctor to induce sharp pain in lower abdomen.