Pain in the ribs after coughing
Pain in the ribs after coughing can have various reasons. Firstly, the pain can be caused by an existing rib fracture, for example caused by direct trauma. Then the pain is increased by the cough.
On the other hand, the cough itself can also cause damage to the ribs or surrounding muscles. When coughing, the ribs move along with the exhalation. Behind the coughing process is an enormous amount of strength and speed.
Many muscles attached to the ribs are involved. A strong cough can therefore lead to muscle tension or even cause a rib blockage. This is a blocked costal vertebral joint. Typically, there is stabbing pain that radiates along the costal arch to the front and is intensified again by the shock when coughing.
Pain in the left costal arch
In the left upper abdomen below the left costal arch are, among other things, the spleen, parts of the colon, the head of the pancreas and, behind the peritoneum, the left kidney. In addition to muscular tension, rib contusions or rib fractures, diseases of these organs can cause pain below the ribs. In the case of the spleen, a painful enlargement or even rupture of the spleen may be responsible for the pain.Inflammation of the pancreas or even a pancreatic head tumor sitting there can also cause painful symptoms.
Stomach problems and diseases of the colon can be painful and radiate to the ribs. A heart attack should also always be considered if there is pain in the left upper abdomen. The pain, starting from the heart, can also radiate to the ribs. In addition, nausea and indisposition may also occur, which may then suggest that the pain originates in the stomach or intestines.
Diagnostics
Since the pain can be very diffuse and several causes can be considered in the area, a precise anamnesis of the occurrence and type of pain must first be made by the doctor. This is followed by a detailed physical examination, which usually includes listening with a stethoscope, tapping and palpation. Here the doctor can get first indications of organ problems.
Since several organs in the area of the costal arch may be the cause of pain, an imaging procedure will always be necessary to make a reliable diagnosis. In most cases, an X-ray of the lung will be ordered and magnetic resonance imaging is suitable for imaging the organs located in the upper abdomen, such as the liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestines. It is particularly good at visualizing soft tissue so that changes such as enlargement or inflammation can be detected very easily.
