Lower Back Pain During Coughing: What You Need to Know

Lower Back Pain During Coughing: What You Need to Know

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Coughing is the physiological response by which the body eliminates dust or other irritants from the respiratory tract. Excessive coughing can occasionally cause pain in the abdomen or back. What is the cause of lower back pain during coughing? Please review the following:

 

Causes of lower back pain during coughing

Some people say that coughing causes lower back pain. When coughing, the body tends to shift forward. This position can put strain on the lower back and displace the spine, causing back pain. If you have already experienced lower back pain, coughing may worsen your symptoms.

While coughing, you may have lower back pain due to factors such as:

 

Muscle pain

Straining muscles or ligaments are typically the main causes of cough-related back pain. This might be the result of tense back muscles caused by an injury or excessive coughing.

The abdominal and chest muscles become excessively contracted during coughing. These structures can become overworked or irritated if you cough strongly enough, which can result in pain.

To help relieve it, you can consume analgesics, increase your amount of rest, and apply gentle massage. The pain will improve within a few days with this medication. If the intensity of the pain increases, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

 

Compressed nerve

To prevent injury to the spinal cord and nerves, the human spine has a certain arrangement of bones separated by cushions called discs. But, for a number of reasons, these disc cushions can move, putting pressure on nearby nerves and causing pain. The medical term for this issue is nerve compression.

When you cough, you may place extra strain on your spinal discs, which can make them bulge outward and press on your spinal nerves. This can lead to back pain and, in rare cases, leg pain as well.

See a doctor right away if you experience back pain due to coughing and a compressed nerve. Pain medication and other therapies may be part of the treatment plan.

 

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal column becomes constricted, resulting in pressure on the spinal nerves. A person's spine begins to narrow and exert more pressure on the spinal cord as they age. This forward body position can also put pressure on your lower back, resulting in lower back pain when you cough.

Your doctor may prescribe medication, physical therapy, or exercise to help relieve the pain caused by spinal nerve constriction.

 

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are solid deposits that develop in the kidneys as a result of substances in urine. Despite the fact that the pain is prevalent in the lower back, kidney stone pain may also be experienced in the lower back region. Coughing may worsen the pain associated with kidney stones.

 

Lung diseases

This can result in inflammation or infection in the lungs, which can affect the nerves in the thorax and back if you have breathing problems that cause frequent coughing. In addition to back pain, you may experience pain during sneezing or inhaling. Some respiratory conditions that may induce this inflammation include:

  • Asthma
  • Allergy
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Bronchitis
  • Lung cancer
  • Inflammation of the lungs


Coughing and back pain are two of the most prevalent issues that people have in today's society. But if the pain in your back or cough does not go away and actually feels worse, you should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

 

Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!

Writer : Ratih AI Care
Editor :
  • dr. Alvidiani Agustina Damanik
Last Updated : Thursday, 20 June 2024 | 07:42

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Gotter, A. (2019). Why Does My Lower Back Hurt When I Cough?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/lower-back-pain-when-coughing

Millard, E. (2023). Why Your Back Hurts When You Cough. Available from: https://www.healthcentral.com/article/severe-lower-back-pain-when-sneezing-coughing

McBride, M. (2022).What Causes Back Pain When Coughing?. Available from: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/back-pain/back-pain-when-coughing