Intense pain on coughing in left sternum. Why is there pain in the chest when coughing?

Quite often, when coughing, it hurts in chest, and the more intense the pain, the more anxiety arises, especially when the child is sick. Cough and chest pain are not always the result of pathological disorders in the respiratory system. Sometimes the diagnosis can be surprising.

Common Causes

A common cause of chest pain during coughing is overstrain of the intercostal muscles. They allow the intercostal space to expand / narrow during breathing, and frequent spasms cause lactic acid to build up, leading to pain. To confirm this, it is enough to feel the muscles between the ribs, if the sensations are unpleasant, the assumption is correct.

It is much worse if the pain in the chest when coughing is localized on one side. This indicates inflammation or damage to the pleura, lungs, or alveoli. Sometimes, pain when coughing indicates tuberculosis.

Additional symptoms inherent in a number of diseases and the localization of pain will help determine the cause of the pain effect from a strong cough.

Tracheitis

If chest pain occurs when you cough as a result of a cold, then your doctor will diagnose tracheitis. It hits the top respiratory tract... The disease can be accompanied by laryngitis, flu, ARVI, but sometimes it also occurs independently, against the background of staphylococci and streptococci, various allergens. From such a cough, the chest hurts in the center, where the trachea passes, in the diaphragm and intercostal space. Additionally, tracheitis may be accompanied by chills, weakness, sore throat, and high fever.

Cardiovascular pathology

There may be pain in the region of the heart when coughing, especially during physical exertion, which can be symptoms of one of the diseases of the circulatory system. Additionally, there may be shortness of breath, blotches of blood in the secreted sputum, increased heart rate. If, when coughing, it hurts on the left side behind the sternum and there is a burning sensation, then these are signs of angina pectoris. The painful effect in the region of the heart, which radiates to the left clavicle and scapula, indicates a possible myocardial infarction. Ischemic disease, arrhythmia, defect, heart failure, dysfunction of valves and peripheral vessels can be the answer why it hurts in the heart from coughing.

Intercostal neuralgia

Inflammation of the intercostal nerve can be caused by a cold, pinching, or spasm that irritates the nerve. This is possible with significant physical exertion, a sharp turn, prolonged uncomfortable position, hypothermia, and more. Severe paroxysmal pain occurs with a rapid change in body position (coughing, sneezing, and so on). This symptomatology is similar to angina pectoris, gastritis and bronchitis. Intercostal neuralgia is distinguished by probing the space under the lower rib, where the nerve is located. If at the same time there is a sharp pain - the assumption is correct.

Interesting! Severe stress can cause intercostal neuralgia.

Pneumonia

A dry cough and sternum pain in the center are also characteristic of pneumonia. In addition to this, inflammation of the lung tissue is characterized by an increase in temperature indicators (more than 37) from the very beginning, covering the face with red spots. Pain in the sternum occurs when coughing up dried phlegm that covers the walls of the bronchi. Over time, it liquefies, which brings slight relief, acquiring a rusty hue. But there is a stabbing pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe inflamed focus. The intensity of manifestations in pneumonia depends on the size of the pathology zone (segmental, total or lobar).

Pleurisy

Pleurisy - inflammatory process in the sheets of the pleura, which are located between the ribs and lungs. Pain in the chest with pleurisy has a pulling and stabbing character, aggravated by coughing. There is a feeling of intercostal friction and an increase in the pain effect when bending to the healthy side. The main symptom of the disease is a lag in breathing of one half of the chest, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

Trauma

The causes of severe pain when coughing and other sudden movements of the chest can be associated with injury or bruised ribs. This effect differs in duration. The location of the injury can be determined only by X-ray images.

Lungs' cancer

Oncology of lung tissue is characterized by a long asymptomatic course. And only at the stage of spreading to the bronchi, neighboring organs and the development of metastases, the disease manifests itself as an uncontrolled cough and pain in the chest, often in the middle or from the side of the tumor, giving it to the scapula, neck or arm. The nature of such pain is sharp and stabbing. Additionally, the cancer process is accompanied by weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and further development leads to pulmonary bleeding and anemia.

Important! According to statistics, 85% of patients with lung cancer are smokers.

Lungs' cancer

Renal colic

Accompanying the cough with painful sensations that radiate under the right-sided spoon, scapula and hypochondrium is characteristic of renal colic. It can be recognized by the accompanying abdominal pain. The course of the disease can pass without fever.

Osteochondrosis

Aching pain during coughing can be the result of osteochondrosis, which occurs as a result of poor posture and injuries.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis caused by Koch's sticks can provoke a prolonged cough. It is characterized by an increase in temperature and an increase in the pain effect in the sternum. The cough can be dry or productive.

Pneumothorax

The disease appears as a result of past infections and injuries, and represents the accumulation of air in the leaves of the pleura, which prevents the lungs from fully opening when breathing. Pain after coughing is especially pronounced.

Reduction of the interpleural ligament

The interpleural ligament is responsible for stabilizing the respiratory function in the body. It can decrease as a result of hereditary or congenital features, pleural inflammatory processes. Because of this, when talking, coughing, or physical exertion, a feeling of pain and burning occurs.

Dry pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardial sac (pericardium) may be the answer to why your heart hurts when you cough. Trauma to the chest in this place or postoperative sutures can cause pathology. Painful sensations are pronounced and are accompanied by shortness of breath and inability to breathe deeply.

Pericarditis

Diagnostics and treatment

If the chest hurts for a long time when coughing, in addition:

increased temperature indicators;
there is an increase in cough lasting more than a week;
weakness is noted;
sputum contains bloody components;
when coughing, the heart hurts and / or the face turns blue;
breathing becomes difficult, or one half of the sternum lags behind.

All these are the reasons for an immediate appeal to the doctor, who will tell you what to do to relieve the pain effect, and determine and treat the disease.

You can decide on the necessary specialized specialist by visiting a therapist (for children - a pediatrician), who will refer you to a highly specialized doctor according to the nature of the disease:

for infectious diseases, colds, pneumonia, bronchitis and tracheitis, treatment will be prescribed by a therapist or pulmonologist, and for a child - by a pediatrician;
when the chest hurts when coughing, which was injured earlier, how to treat - the traumatologist or surgeon will recommend;
intercostal neuralgia will be cured by a neurologist;
heart pain when coughing and concomitant diseases will be diagnosed by a cardiologist.

To accurately determine the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment, the doctor will carry out the following diagnostic measures:

complete, biochemical and clinical analysis blood, sputum, urine;
x-ray of the lungs in four projections;
test for tuberculosis;

If there is a suspicion that the reasons lie in oncology, it is necessary to make a histological analysis of part of the lung tissue.

Effective treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor, based on the results of the examination. But if the pain syndrome is strong, it will help to reduce the intensity:

warming ointments, compresses or mustard plasters, but only at normal body temperature;
taking drugs that block the center of the cough, but if there is no need for sputum discharge, that is, with inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (laryngitis, pharyngitis, ARVI);
taking expectorant drugs with damage to the trachea and bronchi, if it is necessary to remove the bactericidal flora with sputum.

If the disease is infectious, you need to additionally take antiviral or antibacterial agents. But if the child develops a disease, it is better to refrain from excess medications, and to produce coughing up - to consume more liquid that has a minimum alkaline reaction (milk, mineral water).

Important! Treatment of oncology, cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia and injuries should be prescribed only by a doctor and on an individual basis, according to the characteristics of the course of the disease and the body.

Cough is not a separate disease, but always indicates the presence of a certain pathology, with the exception of cases when this reflex is caused by a temporary mechanical stimulus - most often the ingress of food particles or smoke into the respiratory tract.

Most often he accompanies colds, but can also be a symptom of very serious pathologies.

The cause of concern should be the occurrence of pain when coughing. As a rule, pain in this case appears in the chest or radiates to the back.

Possible diseases in the chest when coughing

Cold

As already mentioned, the most common reason cough leading to chest pains - colds:, flu, tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea), etc. They are caused by bacteria and viruses. The cough can be either wet or wet.

Other symptoms of diseases of this group:

temperature increase;
chills;
general malaise, weakness;
often - sore throat;
pain in the chest, aggravated by coughing.

Pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane)

This disease is an inflammation of the pleura - a special serous membrane that envelops the lungs and aligns the inner surface of the chest. It can occur in an acute or chronic form, be localized in one part of the chest, or spread to the entire chest.

You can find out more about the disease in

The onset of pleurisy is acute. Patients suddenly begin to feel sharp painsarising in a specific part of the chest or diaphragm. Coughing and breathing deeply increases pain. In most cases, the temperature rises, later a fever appears.

The inflammatory process in the pleura leads to blockage of tissue circulation. Due to the obstruction of the passage of air, pain and swelling in the chest, breathing becomes difficult. As the disease progresses, fluid accumulates between the layers of the pleura. This phenomenon is called "pleural effusion". Pumping out fluid or absorbing pleural effusion leads to an improvement in the patient's condition, a decrease in pain, and a decrease in pressure.

Destruction of the rib framework

The thoracic region or rib cage can collapse as a result of injury, resulting in a loss of some degree of mobility. At the same time, symptoms of pericarditis or pleural tumors appear.

These conditions are characterized by the appearance pain in the chest, greatly aggravated by coughing, running, even walking and normal movements. Often, it becomes difficult for patients to breathe, while the intensity of pain can both increase and remain moderate.

Intercostal neuralgia

Sharp, “shooting” pains in the chest and back, especially aggravated by a deep breath, coughing, may indicate the presence of intercostal neuralgia - a disease resulting from an inflammatory process in nerve endings intercostal space.

The cause of the pathology is an excessive load on the ligaments or their infringement due to osteochondrosis. The pain is also exacerbated when bending over. You can relieve coughs by keeping the person at rest and by putting warmth on their backs.

Renal colic

Renal colic is an attack of acute pain in the lumbar region resulting from hyperextension of the renal pelvis due to impaired outflow of urine.

Why do women have lower back pain and how to deal with it, read the article.

This condition develops with prolapse of the kidney, urolithiasis, as a result of injury, the presence of a tumor.

Sudden paroxysmal lower back pain can radiate to the genitals, groin area, leg, nausea and vomiting often appear. The pain radiates not only to the back, but also to the chest, localized mainly on the right side and intensifying both during coughing and during movement. Pain can also radiate to the abdomen, to the right forearm or under the right shoulder blade.

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis, localized in chest spine, can lead to pain in both the chest and back, especially worse when coughing and inhaling.

The causes of osteochondrosis are various curvatures of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis), great physical exertion on the spine, injuries of various origins.

Short interpleural ligament

In some cases, the interpleural ligament is shortened to a size that does not correspond to physiological norms. This causes coughing and pain in the chest area.

The interpleural ligament is located between the parietal and visceral parts of the pleura at the roots of the lungs. It protects the lungs by providing resistance to the movement of the diaphragm as a result of any stress. Shortening of the interpleural ligaments indicates the presence of certain problems with the lungs, such as inflammation. The accompanying cough leads to chest pain, aggravated by talking, deep breathing, excessive physical exertion, running or walking.

Causes of back pain when coughing

During coughing, the smooth muscles of the bronchi contract, the pressure in chest cavity changes, and this leads to an increase in the load on the structures forming the back. Skeletal muscles contract, joint mobility is limited, and nerve fibers stretch. All these factors lead to painful sensations.

Back pain when coughing can occur as a result of the presence of a pathological process:

in the circulatory system;
in the respiratory system;
in the spine and surrounding tissues;
in the genitourinary organs;
in the nervous system.

Due to the variety of factors leading to pain in the back when coughing, there is no single remedy for their treatment. As with chest pains, the specific illness that causes these symptoms should be treated.

Pneumonia and pleurisy

This is a lung disease of infectious origin. Its symptoms are in many ways similar to those of the flu, the common cold.

Bacterial pneumonia is characterized by both acute and gradual onset. The first symptoms of the disease are fever, chills, sharp pains in the chest, sweating, cough with a thick greenish or reddish sputum, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, cyanosis of nails and lips. Coughing leads to chest pain radiating to the back.

Pneumonia of viral etiology is manifested by the presence of muscle and headache, fever, general weakness, fatigue, severe shortness of breath, dry cough.

The presence of a cough, in which back pain occurs, is also characteristic of inflammation of the membrane - pleurisy.

In both cases, cough and back pain are associated with general symptoms: malaise, fever, weakness, sweating, chills, and impaired breathing.

Diseases of the circulatory system

In diseases of the circulatory system, cough and back pain, as a rule, are associated with an inflammatory lesion of the serous membrane of the heart - pericarditis. As an independent disease, it is extremely rare, mainly as a complication of other diseases. Therefore, the pathology does not have a characteristic clinical picture. In severe cases, symptoms of heart failure appear. Most often, patients are worried about:

dyspnea;
chest pain;
fast or irregular heartbeat;
palpitations;
fever; general malaise;
dry cough, which causes chest and back pain.

The pain is mainly concentrated in the interscapular part, it increases significantly when a person lies on his back, softening with a change in body position - for example, turning to the side.

Renal pathology

One of the most common causes of back pain is kidney disease. The presence of stones can lead to renal colic, one of the manifestations of which is acute pain in the peritoneum and lumbar region of the back, aggravated by coughing. It occurs due to blockage of the ureter with a stone and difficulty in the outflow of urine. Often, the patient's temperature rises, urine is dark in color, often with traces of blood.

Pain localized above the waist in the lumbar region of the back, the intensity of which increases during coughing, can appear as a result of an inflammatory process in the kidneys and the entire urinary system. This phenomenon is typical for nephritis and pyelonephritis. Other symptoms of these conditions are:

palpitations;
dyspnea;
swelling;
increased blood pressure.

Chronic renal failure also leads to increased back pain during coughing, associated with the tension of the skeletal muscles of the spine, the spasm of which causes the nerve roots to be pinched and the appearance of pain.

Patients feel weakness, dry mouth, dizziness, and suffer from painful urination.

Of course, this is not the whole list of diseases that lead to the appearance of chest pain in the back, arising or aggravated by coughing.

Only a specialist can make a diagnosis based on a thorough examination of the patient and laboratory test data. Treatment depends on the specific pathology, the symptom of which is pain.

People often complain of chest pain when they cough. This symptom deserves attention, since, contrary to popular belief, it is not only a signal of problems with respiratory system... Such malaise may well speak of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Chest pain, cough, fever: causes of symptoms

In fact, pain when coughing can be associated with a wide variety of reasons. To accurately determine them, you need to visit the hospital. The most common causes of ailments are:

Colds, different kind flu, ARVI.
Epiglottis problems, tracheitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Tuberculosis.
Injuries and infections of the respiratory tract.
Asthma.
Lung problems.
The occurrence of allergic reactions.
Smoke entering the lungs.
A foreign body accidentally trapped in the respiratory tract.
Tumors.
Heart and vascular problems.

Accordingly, only certain medical conditions can cause chest pain when coughing. But they manifest themselves not only with this symptom. Let's consider the most likely problems and analyze how to determine the presence of one or another pathology.

Pleurisy

Chest pain when coughing can cause inflammation of the membrane that is present in the chest cavity and lungs. Usually this pathology is a complication of pneumonia. Dry cough and chest pain are constant companions of patients with this ailment. The clinical picture of the disease is as follows:

If a person rolls over to the painful side, he feels severe discomfort.
Difficulty breathing, which may be weakened.
There are noises in the lungs. This symptom can only be determined by a doctor.
The body temperature rises to 38 degrees and is accompanied by chills and heavy sweating.

Pleurisy should be treated in conjunction with a doctor, self-therapy is not allowed.

Destruction of the rib framework

Chest pain when coughing occurs with this malaise. Its main symptoms are as follows:

The spine completely or partially loses its mobility after an injury.
Sharp pericarditis.
Pain in the chest, throat, cough while running or walking, shortness of breath.
Weakened breathing.

It is important to start treating this disease on time, otherwise there is a risk of disability.

Interpleural ligament too short

Severe chest pain when coughing can also occur at the genetic level. If a person has a short interpleural ligament since birth, he is concerned about the following symptoms:

Severe pain is aggravated by talking or walking.
The pain is aggravated by increased physical exertion.
Tingling sensations occur in the chest when running.

This problem can be solved by regularly performing special exercises and a set of procedures that your doctor will prescribe for you.

Intercostal neuralgia

People often confuse this disease with heart failure. But these are completely different things. This ailment is characterized by the following symptoms:

Severe chest pain when coughing like gunshots.
When inhaling, a sharp attack of pain may occur.

Pathology can cause very severe pain. Sometimes a person simply cannot endure them. Therefore, the disease needs to be treated urgently.

Renal colic

Renal colic often occurs due to problems with urine flow. Pathology is difficult to confuse with anything else, since it is also accompanied by pain in the back. The main symptoms of the disease are as follows:

Centered pain under the chest when coughing.
Discomfort often reaches the entire abdomen.
Pain often spreads to the bladder area.

Hepatic colic is a fairly common ailment, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be treated. Go to the hospital for a doctor's advice.

Mechanical damage to the chest

There is often chest pain after coughing. This could be due to injury. A person can break a rib, get a dislocation or bruise. Typical symptoms of such problems are:

Sharp pain resembling gunshots.
The discomfort is increased by coughing.

These problems can be confused with osteochondrosis, so visit a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Colds

Chest pain, coughing up phlegm - these are the standard set of symptoms for a cold. Also, the patient may be disturbed by the following symptoms:

Prolonged cough.
Fever and chills.
Sore throat.
Apathy and fatigue.
Irritability.
Runny nose.
Feeling of scratching in the chest.

Such a disease is often treated at home with folk remedies. But if the pathology has become dangerous and long-lasting, it is important to consult a doctor in order to avoid complications.

Lungs' cancer

A dangerous disease - lung cancer - occurs when a person ceases to control his health. The most common cause of ailment is frequent inhalation of tobacco smoke. The symptoms of the disease are:

The pains become acute and spread to the entire chest.
Discomfort can also radiate to other parts of the body.
Pain sensations increase with active movements.

If the treatment of the disease is not started in time, it can spread to neighboring organs. To prevent this, go to the hospital as soon as possible.

Pneumothorax

This is the so-called air cushion in the lungs. It puts pressure on the respiratory organs, and this can become so large that a person simply cannot breathe normally. Here is the clinical picture of pathology:

Painful sensations that may disappear and then come back.
The discomfort can be mild and almost imperceptible, but it increases significantly with the slightest movement.

This problem often requires surgery. A good doctor performs an operation, after which the patient does not feel pain again.

How to treat chest pain

If pain in the chest during coughing is caused by a minor problem that can be easily eliminated, then the discomfort is allowed to be relieved without medical intervention. However, in order to be convinced of your correctness, it is advisable to go to a doctor's consultation. If you are sure that self-medication will not entail serious consequences, then try these ways to relieve pain:

If stretching is a problem, a regular pharmacy warming or cooling ointment will help you. Apply it strictly according to the instructions and wrap the bruised area with an elastic bandage. After a few of these procedures, the pain will disappear.
If a wet cough accompanied by pain, get antitussive medicines at the pharmacy. They will quickly remove phlegm from the body, and, accordingly, the discomfort will soon pass.
If you experience pain during a dry cough, choose medications with caution. It is recommended to give preference to drugs that thin phlegm and remove it from the body, however, in case of serious pathologies, such funds will not only not help, but also harm. It is better to consult with your doctor first.

Drink plenty of fluids throughout your treatment. This will help the body resist the disease.

What doctors do you need

If you have made the decision to go to the hospital, you should know the possible specialists you will need to visit. These include:

Therapist.
Pulmonologist.
Neuropathologist.
Family doctor.

Any of these doctors can find a problem in your body, so you need to listen to the advice and recommendations of each of them.

Remember that pain in the chest when coughing of any kind may indicate the presence of a contagious disease in the body. Even if your family members are not sick, they should still be seen by a doctor. Perhaps the pathology is just emerging in their body. If her treatment is started on time, the chances of a quick recovery without consequences will be much greater.

Diagnostic measures

No good doctor can diagnose you without proper procedures, let alone treatment. First, a therapist will examine you and determine the source of the disease.

Remember that the doctor must conduct a survey before the examination. If he has not done so, you have the right to request another specialist. Interviewing is an important part of the diagnosis; without it, it is impossible to prescribe adequate treatment.

If painful sensations bother a child who cannot yet speak, then the doctor talks to his parents.

Follow all the doctor's recommendations so that recovery occurs in a short time, and the pathology passes without consequences. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary, then the department of the medical institution will tell you what is required of you.

Thus, chest pain during or after coughing can be a concomitant symptom of mild diseases, or it can speak of more severe pathologies that do not go away by themselves. Therefore, this sign cannot be ignored. Rather, find out its cause and deal with its elimination, preferably in conjunction with your doctor.

A debilitating dry cough accompanied by chest pain is a symptom of many dangerous health problems. Even if they have arisen due to habitual SARS or flu, such symptoms are a clear reason to seek medical advice. This is most often a sign of airway inflammation caused by an infection. In rare cases, this can be a sign of serious diseases of the heart and blood vessels, as well as the nervous system. Most often, cough pain is localized to the left or right of the chest. It can be sharp and stabbing or, on the contrary, dull, "pulling".

Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of these symptoms. If the pain when coughing is accompanied by a feeling of suffocation, you need to seek help immediately.

With a viral infection, it is accompanied by a feeling of lack of air. Often sternum pain is accompanied by a feeling of discomfort, sometimes headache or pain in the arms. In this case, the pain lasts only a few seconds and disappears after a coughing fit. The most dangerous thing is if there is a dry cough, accompanied by pain in the sternum, but not high temperature... This could be a sign of serious problems such as:

pleurisy;
tuberculosis;
bronchial asthma;
foreign body in the respiratory tract;
pulmonary embolism;
intercostal neuralgia;
chronic lung disease;
renal colic;
chest injury;
lungs' cancer;
diphtheria.

It can also be chronic "" caused by tobacco smoke. Another important reason is allergic rhinitisthat irritates the respiratory tract.

If a dry cough, accompanied by pain in the sternum, does not go away for more than 5 days, an urgent need to consult a doctor.

A doctor is needed urgently if symptoms such as are added to a persistent cough and even minor pain in the sternum:

a sharp increase in temperature, especially above 38 C;
severe weakness, sweating;
coughing attacks are getting worse;
difficulty inhaling or exhaling;
discharge of mucus with blood;
sharp paleness of the face.

These symptoms can be life threatening. Therefore, you need to seek help immediately by calling an ambulance.

If a child develops such symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

If a dry cough is accompanied by moderate pain and a slight increase in temperature in the evening, this may be a sign of diseases such as:

tracheitis;
epiglottitis;
bronchitis;
pneumonia;
pleurisy.

All of these conditions are often accompanied by severe weakness and rapid fatigue. In this case, a slight increase in temperature occurs in the late afternoon.

Each disease causes a characteristic localization of pain. This will make it easier for the doctor to diagnose.

In order to establish the exact cause of the problems, the doctor may prescribe the following types of research:

clinical blood test;
expanded radiograph of the lungs;
tuberculin test;
sputum examination;
analysis for presence;
analysis for the presence of a bacterial infection.

A detailed blood test allows you to determine the prevalence and duration of the inflammatory process.

Possible complications

Even if coughing attacks and pain in the sternum are minor, and all this is accompanied by a normal temperature, you should not "delay" the visit to the doctor. Even if they are caused by the usual viral infection, untimely treatment can lead to such serious problems as:

acute tracheitis;
bilateral pneumonia;
dry pleurisy;
dry pericarditis.

With untimely treatment, cough can turn into chronic. In this case, it is difficult to treat. Complete recovery may take up to 1 month.

The transition of lung diseases to a chronic form can lead to serious problems in the future.

Another possible complication of an advanced inflammatory process in the airways or lungs is fibrosis. It occurs due to the formation of scar tissue in the lungs. This leads to reduced lung elasticity and breathing problems. Depending on the severity of the disease, fibrosis can be unilateral, bilateral or focal.

Prevention of pulmonary fibrosis is the timely treatment of infectious diseases that cause inflammation.

Treatment

The specific method of treating symptoms such as a dry cough, accompanied by pain in the sternum, directly depends on the cause of its occurrence. Even if the disease is caused by a common viral infection, such as seasonal flu, improper treatment can lead to serious complications. Only a doctor should prescribe treatment for a dry cough, accompanied by even minor pain in the chest.

The main goal in the treatment of infectious diseases of the respiratory tract is to make the dry cough moist and productive. This will facilitate the release of phlegm, preventing it from stagnating in the lungs.

To make your recovery faster, it is important to create the right conditions for your body to do so. First of all, the air in the room should be cool and humid. The air temperature should not be higher than 20 - 22 C °, and the optimum humidity should not be less than 60%. This will help keep the phlegm from drying out in the airways.

Daily wet cleaning of your home reduces the amount of dust particles in the air. This will help relieve dry coughs due to respiratory irritation.

Drinking plenty of fluids is important when treating a dry cough. This helps to effectively moisturize the mucous membranes and dilute sputum. Thinner phlegm is much easier to cough up, which prevents it from stagnating in the lungs. Drinking plenty of warm drinks is an important part of treatment, even for an unproductive dry cough. It helps to moisturize the mucous membrane and replenish fluid loss due to elevated temperature.

Scheme for selecting a method of drug treatment of diseases with a symptom of cough

Medication

A common cause of these symptoms is muscle strain after intense physical exertion. In this case, you should seek help from a surgeon. He will prescribe a warming ointment to reduce muscle pain. If a dry cough is caused by an inflammatory process in the airways, it is important to make it productive..

You cannot use any cough medicine on your own, as this can worsen the situation.

Most often, a dry cough is caused by an inflammatory process in the airways, it is important to make it productive. For this, expectorant or combination drugs are used to facilitate the easy release of sputum.

Treatment with expectorant drugs should be accompanied by plenty of drinking. This will prevent sputum formed in the bronchi from thickening.

If a dry cough is caused by a non-communicable disease such as tuberculosis or asthma, it becomes unproductive. In this case, the cough and chest pain are very exhausting, making it difficult to eat and sleep. To alleviate the condition, the doctor will prescribe special drugs that block the cough reflex.

In no case should you use “cough suppressants” for self-medication or give them to children. Not every cough is harmful, which means that only a doctor can prescribe adequate treatment.

Folk remedies

Use folk remedies for the treatment of dry cough, accompanied by pain, it is possible only if these symptoms are caused by a viral infection. They can be a great addition to drug treatmentassigned by a specialist. It is best if it is a copious warm drink that relieves dry cough.

Any folk remedies for such symptoms can be used only after consultation with your doctor.

Homemade herbal tea not only effectively moisturizes the mucous membrane, but also improves well-being. The best options for replenishing body fluids include:

tea with lemon;
raspberry tea;
dried fruits compote;
berry juice;
herb tea.

An excellent drink for dry coughs can be heated juice from fruits or berries: orange, apple, currant, grape. It is an excellent source of vitamins for the body weakened by disease.

Do not use aggressive substances such as mustard as a warming agent. This can significantly worsen the condition.

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conclusions

Provoking pain and other unpleasant sensations in the sternum can be a symptom of many unpleasant diseases. It is most dangerous if there is no high temperature, or its rise is insignificant. This can be a sign of a rather serious problem such as tuberculosis, lung cancer, heart failure, or intercostal neuralgia.

Sometimes a dry cough in an adult is at first glance, not at all related problems, such as hepatic colic. If these symptoms persist for more than 5 to 7 days, or there is a sharp deterioration, for example, the appearance of sputum with blood or a feeling of suffocation, urgent specialist help is needed.

Chest pain provokes coughing due to 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 clear symptoms of pneumonia. These manifestations can occur both with bronchitis and with common colds, accompanied by. Very often, dry cough causes chest pain due to the irradiation of sensations from the trachea and larynx to the lower parts.

Why these sensations arise and how to distinguish them from the symptoms of more serious diseases, we will talk in this material. We will also try to give some tips on what needs to be done and what not to do in these cases. Immediately, we want to warn you that the article is not intended for self-treatment of cough. Provide qualified medical assistance you can only be a practicing doctor after a detailed examination and laboratory tests. If your cough does not go away after 7 days from the moment of its appearance, this is a reason to do a fluorography and go to an appointment with a therapist.

Why does the chest hurt?

So, let's start by clarifying some of the causes of chest pain when coughing. The most common and commonplace of them is the tension of the intercostal muscles, which are not adapted to increased loads. In a normal state, the intercostal muscles play the role of a kind of framework that provides the expansion of the intercostal spaces during inhalation and narrowing during exhalation. Most people breathe through the diaphragm to regulate the volume of their lungs. It accounts for more than 60% of all movements performed in the process of gas exchange.

During a cough, the intercostal muscles are actively involved. Lactic acid gradually accumulates in them, and pain occurs. It is quite simple to diagnose it with the help of a simple palpation of the intercostal spaces. If at the same time you experience unpleasant sensations, 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 it is not associated with the muscular apparatus. This suggests that in the inflammatory process that causes coughing, the alveoli, lobes of the lung or pleura are involved. In this case, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. When neglected, this can provoke massive pulmonary bleeding.

Because the pain syndrome in this case is associated with injuries to the lung tissue, mucous membranes or pleura. It is usually caused by a dry, hacking cough, which makes it difficult for sputum to pass. Due to the low production of mucous secretion, small sections of the mucous membranes are detached. Usually, in this case, a cough attack ends with the passage 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 have superficial pain associated with muscle tension, any warming ointment can be effective. Excellent in this case, the use of mustard plasters and compresses. It should be remembered that warming up, mustard plasters and medical banks can be used only 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 cough attacks by blocking the cough center. They can be used only if the production and discharge of sputum is not needed. For example, in the event that a cough is provoked by diseases of the upper respiratory tract, ARVI, 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 from pathogens and their metabolic products. In this case, antitussive drugs can be used no more than 1 time per day at night. This is done to provide conditions for a normal night's rest for a sick person.

For the rest of the day, it is necessary to use drugs that thin sputum and enhance its production. The optimal drug is. You should also pay attention to the treatment of the underlying disease, taking antibacterial and antiviral drugs, reducing the level of intoxication of the body. In this case, the drinking regime is of great importance. It is necessary to consume a large amount of liquid with a weak alkaline reaction, such as milk or mineral water.

When to see a doctor?

You need to urgently see a therapist if:

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