Dry cough and chest pain. Chest pain when coughing - treatment for adults. Drug treatment for severe, acute cough

“My chest hurts when I cough. What to do? How to treat? - Frequent questions that patients ask doctors about. When there is pain in the chest when coughing, a person experiences not only physical discomfort, but also anxiety regarding the causes of pain symptoms.

Concern is quite natural, because such pain varies in frequency of occurrence, can be caused by many factors, and treatment depends on its type.

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General characteristics of chest pain when coughing

Such alarming symptoms can appear at any time, both among young people and among older people. There is less need to worry about chest pain when coughing if symptoms are rare.

Most often, these are influenza diseases, or an allergic reaction of the body to external pathogens. Cure from the main source of the disease allows you to get rid of unpleasant symptoms in the shortest possible time.

If you have pain in the sternum of a regular, recurring nature, this indicates the possible development of serious diseases in the body. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

If you do not get diagnosed on time, there is a risk of disease progression, the treatment of which will require you to spend a lot of time and effort.

Causes of pain in the sternum on the right

Such pain is not uncommon. When answering the question of why the chest hurts when coughing, you need to pay attention to diseases of the respiratory system, but cases of the development of many other diseases are not uncommon.

The main reasons why the chest hurts from coughing on the right side can be:

• mechanical external damage;
• infectious diseases;
• osteochondrosis.

If the cough is dry

With the onset of cold weather, more and more people complain of coughing. It is not a separate disease, but appears as a symptom of another disease.

In total, there are three types: acute (lasting for several days), protracted (from several weeks to several months), chronic (lasting more than 3 months).

with chest pain - these are, first of all, symptoms of inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract. It may be a consequence of:

• inflammation of the larynx;
• inflammation of the bronchi, trachea - continues for several days, ends after removal of sputum;
• malignant tumors;
• helminthic infestation;
• asthma, etc.

In rare cases, they can be a consequence of diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. It is accompanied by headaches, sneezing, and runny nose. However, the pain does not last long.

If you have a dry cough and chest pain, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for a speedy recovery. In addition to drug treatment prescribed by a doctor, maintaining a room temperature of 20–22 degrees and a humidity of about 60%, frequent wet cleaning and drinking plenty of warm drinks will help.

Why does my chest hurt when I cough?

The main reasons why your chest hurts when you cough are:

• influenza infections;
• bruises and sprains of the sternum muscles;
• allergic reactions;
• tuberculosis;
• heart diseases, etc.

When you have a cough and chest pain, what else could it be?

1. Chest pain and cough may indicate a person has suffered external injuries. They can be: broken ribs, bruises of the sternum, sprains as a result of physical activity.
2. A dry cough and pain in the chest on the right are usually characteristic of pneumonia, accompanied by stabbing pain when sneezing and dull pain when inhaling.
3. Cough with chest pain can be a consequence of spinal diseases: osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia. Painful sensations usually appear in the area of ​​the ribs, heart and other human organs.
4. Very serious types of diseases include malignant tumors. They can be indicated not only by pain on the right, but also by pain in the chest in the middle when coughing, as well as on the left.
5. Tuberculosis and asbestosis are accompanied by severe pain when coughing, fever, sweating, and pale skin.

To avoid pathologies of the respiratory tract, it is recommended to do fluorography in a timely manner.

This is a disease of the bronchial tree that occurs as a result of exposure to external allergens. Its sources can be viruses, bacteria, physical and chemical factors. The most common symptom of this disease is accompanied by sputum production.

There are three degrees of severity of the disease: mild, moderate and severe. Coughing is a natural reaction of the body to pathogens, allowing the airways to clear.

This is an infectious disease that is most often bacterial in nature. But along with bacteria, viruses and fungi can also be the cause. With pneumonia, the lung tissue becomes inflamed, and in case of complications, the process of its destruction begins.

Pain in the lungs when coughing is not always a sign of pneumonia; there are many causes of such pain. With pneumonia, pain in the sternum varies in duration and intensifies during breathing.

The pleura is a two-layer membrane for the lung tissue; it is a kind of protective barrier for this organ. If your chest hurts when you cough, this may be a sign of the development of pleurisy - the accumulation of fluid between the outer and inner pleura. It is characterized by pain behind the chest with a strong inhalation, sharp pain on the side of inflammation.

When the chest hurts after coughing, many people think that this is a consequence of heart disease. A medical examination will help determine the nature of the disease.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can be caused by various types of bacteria. The disease primarily affects the lungs and occurs in a closed form at the initial stage. Tuberculosis is accompanied by: fever, weakness, weight loss, shortness of breath and other symptoms.

With the advanced process of the disease, a severe cough appears and chest pain occurs. Pain appears under the ribs and behind the shoulder blades. In later stages, symptoms give way to the appearance of sputum.

Bronchopulmonary tumor

The causes of this disease are: frequent exposure to toxic substances in the respiratory tract, mechanical damage, and inflammatory processes. The disease is a consequence of: chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis and manifests itself in the form of neoplasms.

There are benign tumors in the bronchi and vice versa. Based on the location of the source of infection, central and peripheral.

Depending on the infected area, the following symptoms of the disease appear:

• for the main bronchus - at the initial stage it is dry, and with further development of the disease with purulent and bloody discharge, cough, if pneumonitis occurs - fever and weakness appear;
• peripheral cancer - manifests itself in the later stages of development with a severe cough and chest pain, the first signs are absent;
• tracheal cancer - characterized by severe pain, cough, dysfunction of voice formation.

Disease of the upper lobe bronchus occurs much more often than other parts of the respiratory tract. When the bronchi are damaged, severe pain appears in the chest area.

What is the diagnosis for dry cough, chest pain and fever?

Severe cough and chest pain, accompanied by inflammatory processes of a bacterial and viral nature.

Cough, chest pain, temperature are signs of infectious infection: flu, sore throat, bronchitis and other diseases. They are accompanied by a rise in temperature to 38 degrees or higher and severe dull pain in the sternum.

No temperature

Cough, chest pain without fever, are common to both young patients with weakened immune systems and elderly people. The manifestation of such symptoms is typical during the development of chronic diseases associated with many external factors.

Signs of serious changes in the body's functioning may include a dry cough, chest pain and lack of fever. The diagnosis that can be made for such manifestations of the disease is:

• external damage to the respiratory system;
• bronchopulmonary tumors;
• broncho-obstructive syndrome;
• specific diseases of the respiratory system.

The reason that the chest hurts during a cough without fever may also be an allergy. Temperatures above 37 degrees are not typical for her. Allergies cause a runny nose and skin rashes.

What to do?

First of all, if pain occurs, you must seek qualified help from a therapist, who, after conducting basic diagnostic studies, will refer you to a more specialized specialist for further consultation.

Identifying the factors that provoke the disease will allow you to make the correct prescription for treatment.

So, in case of external damage to the sternum or spine, warming procedures are performed and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Treatment of the disease is carried out with antitussives, and expectorants.

When your chest hurts from coughing, what else should you do? Since similar symptoms are observed during infectious processes, the main element of therapy is antibacterial therapy.

Treatment

The development of many unpleasant diseases is preceded by a cough with chest pain. These symptoms are treated with the following groups of drugs:

• antibacterial agents;
• antitussives;
• expectorants;
• NSAIDs.

The first group includes anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs. The following will help relieve pain and relieve cold symptoms: first of all, Paracetamol and Aspirin.

Influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections must be treated with Ingavirin, Arbidol and other immunostimulants.

Dry cough is treated: patients are often prescribed other medications.

Severe cough and chest pain, what to treat besides medications? Traditional medicine to alleviate pain, as well as replenish fluid reserves in the body after illness, advises drinking teas with raspberries, lemon, and herbs. Drinking warm berry fruit drinks and compotes will have a very positive effect on the patient’s condition. An excellent way to heal is to drink milk with garlic, as well as prepare infusions of raspberries and oregano.

Useful video

For useful information about the most common causes of cough, watch this video:

Conclusion

1. Discomfort in the chest when you cough occurs frequently and has a different origin. It occurs throughout the sternum: in the center, right and left. Specifically, pain occurs under the ribs, shoulder blades, and also in the spine.
2. Such pain is usually associated with mechanical damage (external), as well as (most often) with inflammation of a person’s respiratory tract, disease of his nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and cardiac system.
3. Severe, regular pain becomes a cause for concern and a visit to a doctor. But even with rare manifestations of symptoms of the disease, in order to prevent and prevent the development of serious pathologies, consultation with a doctor is necessary.

Pain and its causes in alphabetical order:

chest pain when coughing

Chest pain with coughing and inhalation or other respiratory movements usually points to the pleura and pericardium or mediastinum as a possible source of pain, although pain in the chest wall is probably also influenced by respiratory movements and has nothing to do with heart disease. Most often, the pain is localized in the left or right side and can be either dull or sharp.

What diseases cause chest pain when coughing:

The main causes of chest pain when coughing:

1. Chest pain when coughing and inhaling occurs due to inflammation of the membrane lining the chest cavity from the inside and covering the lungs. Dry pleurisy can occur with various diseases, but most often with pneumonia.
Pain during dry pleurisy decreases when lying on the affected side. There is a noticeable limitation in the respiratory mobility of the corresponding half of the chest; with unchanged percussion sound, weakened breathing may be heard due to the patient sparing the affected side, and pleural friction noise. Body temperature is often subfebrile, there may be chills, night sweats, and weakness.

2. Restriction of chest movement or chest pain when coughing, inhaling and exhaling with shallow breathing is observed with functional disorders of the costal frame or thoracic spine (limited mobility), pleural tumors, pericarditis.

3. With dry pericarditis, chest pain increases with coughing, inhalation and movement, so the depth of breathing decreases, which worsens shortness of breath. The intensity of pain when inhaling varies from slight to severe.

4. When the interpleural ligament is shortened, there is a constant cough, which gets worse when talking, taking a deep breath, physical activity, stabbing pain in the chest when coughing, running.
The interpleural ligament is formed from the fusion of the visceral and parietal layers of the pleura of the root of the lung. Further, descending caudally along the medial edge of the lungs, this ligament branches in the tendon part of the diaphragm and its legs. The function is to provide springy resistance during caudal displacement of the diaphragm. In the presence of an inflammatory process, the ligaments shorten and limit caudal displacement

5. With intercostal neuralgia, acute “shooting” pain in the chest occurs along the intercostal spaces, sharply intensifying when coughing and inhaling.

6. With renal colic, the pain is localized in the right hypochondrium and in the epigastric region and then spreads throughout the abdomen. The pain radiates under the right shoulder blade, to the right shoulder, intensifies when coughing and inhaling, as well as when palpating the gallbladder area. Local pain is observed when pressing in the area of ​​the X-XII thoracic vertebrae 2-3 transverse fingers to the right of the spinous islands.

7. A blow or compression of the chest can cause rib fractures. With such damage, a person feels a sharp pain in the chest when coughing and inhaling.

9. Chest pain when coughing and inhaling may also indicate the presence of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

10. Chest pain that occurs against the background of a cold (flu, ARVI) and is accompanied by a dry, obsessive cough, manifested by a scratching sensation behind the sternum, aggravated by coughing, is a sign of tracheitis - inflammation of the trachea (the breathing tube connecting the larynx to the bronchi). Such sensations go away on their own along with the cold itself. In addition, with prolonged, frequent, “nasty” coughing, pain occurs in the lower parts of the chest, at the level of the lower ribs. It is due to the fact that coughing is carried out mainly due to contraction of the muscles of the diaphragm. Like any other muscle, the diaphragm gets tired after prolonged use and pain occurs with each sharp contraction. This pain also goes away after the cold and cough ends.

11. In case of lung cancer, the nature of the pain is different: sharp, stabbing, girdling, aggravated by coughing and breathing. The pain can cover a certain area or half of the chest, it can radiate to the arms, neck, stomach, etc. The pain becomes especially intense and painful when the tumor grows into the ribs and spine.

13. Chest pain with pneumothorax is often unbearable, but sometimes it turns out to be moderate and, like other pleural pains, increases with coughing and movements. Sometimes spontaneous pneumothorax can occur even without pain.

Which doctors should you contact if you experience chest pain when coughing:

Do you experience chest pain when coughing? Do you want to know more detailed information or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with a doctor Eurolab always at your service! The best doctors will examine you, study external signs and help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide the necessary assistance. you also can call a doctor at home. Clinic Eurolab open for you around the clock.

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Does your chest hurt when you cough? It is necessary to take a very careful approach to your overall health. People don't pay enough attention symptoms of diseases and do not realize that these diseases can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that at first do not manifest themselves in our body, but in the end it turns out that, unfortunately, it is too late to treat them. Each disease has its own specific signs, characteristic external manifestations - the so-called symptoms of the disease. Identifying symptoms is the first step in diagnosing diseases in general. To do this, you just need to do it several times a year. be examined by a doctor, in order not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in the body and the organism as a whole.

If you want to ask a doctor a question, use the online consultation section, perhaps you will find answers to your questions there and read self care tips. If you are interested in reviews about clinics and doctors, try to find the information you need on. Also register on the medical portal Eurolab to keep abreast of the latest news and information updates on the site, which will be automatically sent to you by email.

The symptom chart is for educational purposes only. Do not self-medicate; For all questions regarding the definition of the disease and methods of its treatment, consult your doctor. EUROLAB is not responsible for the consequences caused by the use of information posted on the portal.

If you are interested in any other symptoms of diseases and types of pain, or you have any other questions or suggestions, write to us, we will definitely try to help you.

Most people do not take colds seriously and often let them take their course. But when chest pain occurs when coughing, thoughts usually arise about the need to start treatment. And for good reason.

Therefore, it is very important to determine the cause of discomfort in time and eliminate it.

Why does your chest hurt when you cough: reasons

They may include:

• cardiac pathologies;
• respiratory diseases;
• neuralgic disorders;
• injuries.

However, sometimes the chest and back hurt from coughing, which is a consequence of overwork of the respiratory muscles from frequent coughing attacks.

Thus, discomfort usually appears during or after a cough and only indicates a significant increase in the load on certain muscle groups, that is, “strength.”

Cardiovascular diseases

Quite a lot of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels are accompanied by a dry cough, so they are often initially confused with common colds. Cough and chest pain are typical for:

• pericarditis;
• myocardial infarction;
• angina pectoris;
• myocarditis.

They are characterized by shortness of breath and increased pain immediately during or after physical activity. They traditionally occur without fever.

If the patient feels that his chest is burning, burning, or heaviness is felt, these are clear manifestations of an angina attack. And the irradiation of pain to the left side (arm, back, etc.) indicates an acute myocardial infarction. In both cases, emergency medical attention is needed.

Respiratory diseases

Despite everything, it is viral or bacterial damage to various parts of the respiratory system that becomes the most common reason why the chest hurts when you cough. Depending on the affected area there are:

Pleurisy is a sluggish inflammatory process affecting the pleura lining the lungs. Very often it is a complication of pneumonia and is manifested by a dry cough, apathy, chills, low-grade fever (about 37 or 37.5 °), and difficulty breathing.

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. It causes a high body temperature and a severe dry or wet cough. The nature of the symptoms depends on the degree of lung damage.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process in the bronchial mucosa. It can occur in different forms and be accompanied by obstruction (narrowing) of the airways. This significantly complicates breathing and causes the need for special medications. Chronic bronchitis is also often diagnosed, in which patients complain of colitis and pressure behind the sternum.

Lung cancer is a dangerous oncological disease, in many cases resulting from smoking. It is characterized by sharp, stabbing, girdling pain when coughing. It often radiates to the neck, arm or stomach.

Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease in which the chest hurts from a strong cough, and the slightest physical activity can provoke its onset.

Shortening of the interpleural ligament, formed by the connection of two layers of pleura at the root of the lung and connecting it to the diaphragm. This becomes a consequence of inflammation of this ligament, as a result of which muscle mobility is limited, which provokes discomfort.

However, most often acute pain from coughing in the chest occurs with a cold, such as bronchitis or tracheitis. They are typically characterized by discomfort in the throat, fever, weakness, etc.

Neuralgic pathologies

Neurological disorders can also provoke pain in the chest area. Their appearance is due to:

• hypothermia;
• stress;
• long stay in a forced uncomfortable position;
• development of osteochondrosis;
• hard physical labor.

One of the most common pathologies of this kind is intercostal neuralgia - compression or irritation of the nerves located in the ribs. It is accompanied by severe lumbago, so sometimes it can be confused with a heart attack.

It is typical for the formation of areas of numbness or, conversely, increased sensitivity of the skin. And sometimes patients complain that they have a burning sensation in a certain area between the ribs.

Injuries

It would seem that such significant damage is difficult to miss. But sometimes people, under the influence of stress, emotions or other factors, still do not attach due importance to receiving blows.

which subsequently makes itself felt by the fact that the chest hurts when coughing. At the same time, most movements, running and even walking lead to pain and shortness of breath.

It is very important to diagnose mechanical damage in a timely manner, since the lack of proper treatment can lead to aggravation of the condition and damage to organs or soft tissues, which can lead to pneumothorax.

Character of chest pain during coughing. Types of pain

Depending on what caused the disorder, the pain in the chest varies when you cough. For example, with injuries, discomfort mainly appears during physical activity and when inhaling.

The localization of pain and its nature is an important diagnostic sign that allows us to determine the nature of the existing disorder.

Pain in the middle of the sternum and dry cough

An unpleasant, intrusive, sometimes barking dry cough with chest pain is characteristic of common colds, in particular tracheitis, pneumonia, various types of bronchitis, etc.

This is argued by the fact that during coughing attacks, the inflamed mucous membrane of the trachea or bronchi breaks out, because sputum in the early stages is produced in small quantities.

In addition, reflex movements irritate the respiratory muscles, resulting in discomfort at the attachment point of the diaphragm, that is, in the lower chest. But heart pathologies can also make themselves felt in a similar way.

Cough with pain in the middle of the chest

If it hurts to cough in the sternum, in most situations this indicates:

• shortening of the interpleural ligament;
• presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract;
• oncology.

When coughing, pain in the right chest or left

A similar picture is typical:

Intercostal neuralgia– the presence of pathology can be suspected by the possibility of occupying a position in which there is no discomfort. Also, to recognize it, you need to carefully press on the skin along the intercostal spaces with your fingertips. This will allow you to accurately determine the affected area.

Pleurisy. When the layers of the pleura are affected, there is shortness of breath, as well as a lag during the respiratory movement of the diseased half.

Tuberculosis. It is typical for him to have a constant cough, and there are often traces of blood in the sputum.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system. You can suspect something wrong with the heart by a burning sensation on the left side of the chest, a change in the pulse rate in one direction or another, shortness of breath and the appearance of reflexive fear.

Chest pain when coughing in a child

In most cases, in children, the reason why coughing hurts in the sternum is ARVI, accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the trachea or bronchi.

In the first case, the child will experience acute painful sensations during coughing attacks, which can be compared to the feeling of scratching.

Children also often additionally complain that they have:

• there is a runny nose and nasal congestion;
• appetite decreases;
• weakness.

How to relieve chest pain when coughing? First aid

It is not recommended to deal with pain syndrome on your own, since medications must be selected in strict accordance with the causes of its occurrence. Therefore, the only case when self-administration of medications is allowed is an acute attack of angina.

In this case, the doctor should have informed the patient earlier about what should be done in such situations and write a prescription for the drugs he needs.

When should you seek medical help?

Any cough, even a slight one, especially with chest pain that persists for more than 2 weeks, is a reason to contact a specialist.

A clear reason for immediately visiting a doctor is a burning sensation, a feeling of constriction, pain radiating to the back, neck, and lower jaw.

You should also urgently visit a doctor if:

• maintaining a fever for more than 3 days;
• when your chest hurts and you have a cough;
• the appearance of blood impurities in sputum;
• severe deterioration in general condition;
• difficulty breathing;
• irradiation of pain to the scapula, left arm or supraclavicular region.

Diagnostics. Which doctor should I contact?

If your cough hurts, you should initially consult a physician. The doctor will conduct an examination and be able to suggest possible causes of the condition.

For accurate diagnosis, the following are prescribed:

• clinical blood test;
• X-rays of light;
• bacteriological examination of sputum or a three-fold sample (to identify tuberculosis pathogens);
• biopsy of lung tissue (if cancer is suspected).

Based on the data obtained, it is possible to more accurately determine the source of cough and pain. Depending on the results obtained, the therapist may refer the patient to a pulmonologist, cardiologist, trauma surgeon or neurologist.

Treatment and preventive measures

Therapy is selected depending on the detected causes of pain. So, for colds the following are prescribed:

• antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs(Panadol, Nurofen, Imet, Nimesil, etc.);
• antiviral drugs(Arbidol, Anaferon, Oscillococcinum, Isoprinosine, Kagocel, Lavomax, etc.);
• antibiotics of the penicillin and tetracycline groups(Amoxicillin, Doxy-M, Ospamox, Flemoxin, Doxibene, Unidox Solutab, Ampiox, Augmentin, etc.) are indicated exclusively for bacterial infections, for example, severe bronchitis or pneumonia;
• in tablets, syrup or in the form of absorbable lozenges: Lazolvan, Ambroxol, ACC, Pectolvan, Fluditek, Herbion, Gedelix, Flavamed, licorice root syrup, marshmallow, etc.;
• folk remedies.

For neuralgia, a whole range of therapeutic measures is indicated, including massage, acupuncture, and the use of NSAID drugs (Indomethacin, Butadione, etc.). A specialist selects a specific treatment regimen for each patient, based on the characteristics of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the person.

More serious diseases, such as cardiac disorders, tuberculosis or oncology, must be treated strictly on an individual basis under the strict supervision of a specialist. Therefore, very often such patients are hospitalized for an indefinite period and often require surgical intervention.
Thus, it has already become absolutely obvious whether coughing can cause chest pain. It is also clear when the appearance of this symptom requires an urgent visit to the doctor, but what can you do to avoid its occurrence?

Of course, it is impossible to completely protect yourself from the development of all the diseases listed above. Nevertheless, it is possible to minimize the risk of their occurrence and significantly reduce the severity of their course.

Pain felt in the middle of the chest at the time of coughing indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process in the central segment of the lungs, provoked by infection with pathogenic microorganisms, or as a result of prolonged hypothermia of the body. Only in some cases is it possible that other pathologies not related to the functioning of the respiratory system may be present. Let's try to understand in more detail all the possible causes of such unpleasant sensations, as well as ways to eliminate pain in the chest during coughing.

The main causes of pain in the middle of the chest during coughing in most cases are precisely the presence of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. But at the same time, we cannot discard the pathologies of the digestive organs, heart muscle and nerve endings, which are in close proximity to the respiratory receptors. In general, the following causes of chest pain can be identified, namely:

Chest pain when coughing, no fever

Dry cough, followed by pain in the middle of the sternum

1. Angina pectoris. This is one of the few diseases of the cardiovascular system, which is always accompanied by a dry, suffocating cough and acute pain in the middle of the chest. At the same time, the patient feels a lack of air, which is most acute during physical activity. This state of the body is due to a lack of oxygen and the inability of the heart to pump a sufficient volume of blood.
2. Mitral valve prolapse. In this case, the pain begins to occur first in the center of the chest, and then spreads evenly over its entire surface. A person experiences an attack of suffocation, which turns into a dry cough. These sensations are provoked by the deflection of the walls of the mitral valve into the heart muscle.
3. Thromboembolism. In patients with an increased concentration of platelets in the blood, there is a risk of blood clots that clog large and medium-sized main vessels. If the pulmonary artery is blocked, the person experiences severe burning pain in the middle of the chest. A dry cough occurs as a consequence of a lack of oxygen, since due to the lack of movement of the bloodstream through the pulmonary artery, natural gas exchange and oxygen saturation of all cells of the body are disrupted.
4. Peptic ulcer disease. When this disease of the digestive organ is in the acute phase of its development, not only the mucous membrane of the stomach is irritated, but also the esophagus. Then an aching pain is felt in the chest, which lasts 5-10 minutes, and then subsides for a while, only to resume as the peptic ulcer worsens.
5. Pleurisy. In most cases, with inflammation of the pleural layers, severe pain during coughing is felt more from the back. But it happens that the patient does not feel absolutely any discomfort in the back of the chest, but at the slightest urge to cough, severe pain begins in the middle of the chest.
6. Tumor. The presence of an oncological process in the central part of the lungs is always a 90% guarantee that, starting from stage 2 of the development of a malignant formation, the patient will experience not only a strong dry cough, but also spasmodic attacks inside the chest. As the disease progresses, these symptoms only intensify.

This list of pathologies of the human body is not exhaustive. The factor of individuality of each organism should never be discarded. It is quite possible that the painful sensations in the middle of the chest that are present during coughing are a symptom of another disease, or a consequence of a spasm of the muscle fibers of the chest due to nerves.

Do I need to see a doctor and which one?

No matter how severe the pain in the middle of the chest is when you cough, you should still seek medical help from a healthcare facility. The patient will need to visit a pulmonologist. If this specialized specialist is not available at the clinic, then you need to see a therapist. The urgent need for examination by doctors of this specialty is due to the fact that a variety of pathologies can be hidden under the pain syndrome in the middle of the chest. At the same time, it is not always diseases of a pulmonary nature that are to blame for the painful condition of the chest.

A timely examination and finding out the cause of the presence of these symptoms will help not only quickly get rid of chest pain associated with cough, but also prevent the onset of serious complications, especially if we are talking about the presence of an oncological process.

How to remove pain?

In order to prevent pain in the middle of the chest at home, measures should be taken to organize additional blood flow to the chest. In order to achieve these therapeutic manipulations, it is recommended to perform the following actions, namely:

1. Lie on your back, remove the pillow from under your head and expose your torso. In this case, the covering must be hard so that the breast does not fall into the bed.
2. Perform a warming massage on the outer part of the chest. It is enough to perform smooth circular movements for 5-10 minutes.
3. Apply warming ointment to the surface of the chest. Doctor Mom or Zvezdochka are perfect.
4. Wrap the chest with a thick terry towel or woolen scarf. If necessary, you can also cover yourself with a blanket.

As the warming effect occurs, more blood flows to the lungs. This allows you to reduce the inflammatory effect, improve blood circulation and temporarily relieve pain in the middle of the chest during coughing attacks. Similar manipulations can be done not only with the help of warming ointments, but also by placing a water-alcohol compress or mustard plasters on the chest.

Chest pain and cough are provoked by pathological processes of injury to the mucous membranes of the bronchi and trachea. It should be borne in mind that cough and chest pain are not always obvious symptoms of pneumonia. These manifestations can occur both with bronchitis and with common colds, accompanied by. Very often, a dry cough causes chest pain due to the irradiation of sensations from the trachea and larynx to the lower sections.

Why these sensations occur and how to distinguish them from symptoms of more serious diseases will be discussed in this material. We will also try to give some tips on what to do and what not to do in these cases. We would like to immediately warn you that this article is not intended for self-treatment of cough. Only a practicing doctor can provide you with qualified medical care after a detailed examination and laboratory tests. If your cough does not go away after 7 days from the moment it appears, this is a reason to do fluorography and see a therapist.

Why does my chest hurt?

So, let's start by clarifying some of the causes of pain in the chest during coughing. The most common and banal of them is tension in the intercostal muscles, which are not adapted to increased loads. In the normal state, the intercostal muscles play the role of a kind of frame, which ensures the expansion of the intercostal spaces during inhalation and narrowing during exhalation. Most people use the diaphragm to regulate how much their lungs fill during breathing. It accounts for more than 60% of all movements performed during gas exchange.

During coughing, the intercostal muscles are actively used. Lactic acid gradually accumulates in them, causing pain. It is quite easy to diagnose with simple palpation of the intercostal spaces. If you experience discomfort, then most likely the lung tissue and pleura are not affected by the inflammatory process, and the cause of the cough is much higher.

A more dangerous condition is when pain in the chest area occurs on one side and is not associated with the muscular system. This suggests that the alveoli, lobes of the lung or pleura are involved in the inflammatory process that causes severe cough. In this case, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible. When neglected, this can provoke massive pulmonary hemorrhage.

Because the pain syndrome in this case is associated with injuries to the lung tissue, mucous membranes or pleura. Usually caused by a dry hacking cough, which makes it difficult to clear sputum. Due to the low production of mucous secretion, small sections of the mucous membranes are torn off. Usually, a coughing attack ends with the discharge of scanty contents streaked with blood. In some cases, it may indicate the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis.

How to relieve chest pain when coughing?

If you experience superficial pain associated with muscle tension, then any warming ointment can effectively help. Excellent in this case, the use of mustard plasters and compresses. It should be remembered that warming up, mustard plasters and medical cups can only be used in the absence of elevated body temperature.

To reduce the cough load, you can use antitussive drugs, for example. They effectively reduce the number of coughing attacks by blocking the cough center. They can be used only if the production and discharge of sputum is not necessary. For example, if the cough is provoked by diseases of the upper respiratory tract, acute respiratory viral infections, laryngitis and pharyngitis. In case of damage to the bronchial tree, trachea and lung tissue, the production and discharge of sputum is necessary to cleanse the respiratory tract of pathogens and their waste products. In this case, you can use antitussive drugs no more than once a day at night. This is done to ensure conditions for a normal night's rest for a sick person.

The rest of the day, it is necessary to use drugs that dilute sputum and enhance its production. The optimal drug is . You should also pay attention to treating the underlying disease, taking antibacterial and antiviral drugs, and reducing the level of intoxication in the body. In this case, the drinking regime is of great importance. It is necessary to drink large amounts of liquid with a weak alkaline reaction, for example, milk or mineral water.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

You need to urgently see a therapist if:

• cough is accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
• you feel very unwell;
• cough gets worse every day;
• does not pass more than 7 days;
• during a coughing attack, mucus with bloody streaks is released;
• you have difficulty breathing;
• in the process of breathing you see that one side of the chest lags behind;
• your face has taken on a pale or bluish tint.