Few people take coughing seriously. After all, he is not such a rare occurrence. May occur in the most unexpected way. And the treatment, which is chosen correctly and in a timely manner, does not bear any special consequences.
If this fact is ignored, then it is definitely impossible to predict further. This causes unnecessary discomfort and inconvenience. For example, back pain with this symptom may be triggered by several factors. Also, the appearance of the cough itself can be a consequence of a more serious disease.
When back pain occurs when coughing, most people make a huge mistake by starting to use pain medication pharmaceuticals right away. Before doing this, you should find out the reason.
The back occupies a fairly large part of the human body. Behind its surface are not only muscles, spine and nerve endings, but also important organs, thanks to the functioning of which our body works without failures. This is the heart, lungs, kidneys. Both pain and coughing indicate that something is wrong. But if these two symptoms appear simultaneously, then you should think about your own health status. Otherwise, much more serious problems may arise.
Cough back pain: causes of this phenomenon
If one of the two symptoms appears, then you need to seek the advice of such specialists as a neurologist, pulmonologist or therapist. Back pain is characteristic of the following diseases and pathological conditions:
- bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy;
- heart failure;
- kidney damage;
- myositis;
- pathology of the spine;
- injuries and damage to internal organs and spine;
- the presence of tumors of the internal organs and spine.
Diagnostics
If back pain occurs when coughing, then you do not need to ignore these symptoms, but it is better to undergo a full examination. Diagnostics is carried out in three stages:
- examination of the doctor and collection of information from the patient;
- delivery of tests that are tested in the laboratory;
- research using special devices.
At the first stage, the doctor examines the patient and finds out from him how long he has been experiencing these symptoms, how intense they are and what their nature is. A cough, for example, may indicate a curvature of the spine.
A blood test is able to talk about possible inflammatory processes in the human body. Urine reveals the condition of the kidneys. If required, then an additional study of sputum, which is excreted during coughing, is still performed.
At the third stage, an x-ray of the spine and ultrasound diagnostics of the internal organs are performed. Computer and magnetic resonance imaging are also connected.
Sick spine: what to do?
When my back coughs, what should I do? First of all, consult a doctor and find out the cause of these symptoms. If the spine is diseased, then the cough must also be treated. To eliminate the pain, you can use the preparations "Analgin", "Renalgin", "Dexalgin". You can also use the following ointments - “Finalgon” and “Fastum-gel”. They have an analgesic effect, eliminate inflammatory processes, and also positively affect blood circulation in the muscles.
We treat a cough. What drugs are worth using?
Treatment takes place in two directions:
- the cough reflex is inhibited (with a dry cough);
- evacuation of sputum is facilitated (with wet).
To do this, use the following pharmaceutical preparations:
- "Ambroxol";
- "Lazolvan";
- collections of medicinal plants with expectorant properties (licorice, oregano, chamomile);
- “Codeine” (it is used only as directed by the attending doctor and is sold by prescription).
If a person has a sick heart and kidneys, then a cardiologist or nephrologist is prescribed a course of treatment. Specific medicines are used for any tuberculosis or tumor processes.
So, if back pain occurs when coughing, it is better to contact a medical institution so that the doctor makes the correct diagnosis and monitors the effectiveness of the treatment, and also, if necessary, has prescribed laboratory tests again.
Very often in this case, the doctor prescribes not only pharmaceuticals, but also massage procedures. Thanks to him, blood circulation improves and muscle elasticity increases. But it should be carried out by a specialist, since an inexperienced person can harm the patient.
Shoulder pain
When the back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades when coughing , then most often this happens:
- after physical overstrain, when muscles are torn;
- with a running cold, which develops into bronchitis or pneumonia;
- if the inflammatory processes of the membranes are transferred to the lungs;
- with osteochondrosis, but in this case, pain can occur not only under the shoulder blades, but also in the lumbar region;
- due to sciatica;
- if due to smoking, lung function is impaired;
- with shingles, the pain passes from the lower back to the area of the shoulder blades;
- due to lung cancer.
Different pain
In each case, the pain is different. With diseases of the spine, it occurs unexpectedly and subsides after a short period of time. For children, such a symptom is possible only if there are serious pathologies. After the pain subsides, a slight discomfort remains.
With a disease of the respiratory organs, pain occurs not only during coughing, but also in breathing. Heart diseases are characterized by not very strong, dull or pulling painful sensations that pass quite quickly. And even without the action of pharmaceuticals.
When there is severe back pain when coughing, it almost always signals that not everything is in order with the body and the functioning of internal organs is impaired. This can be the nervous system, and the respiratory, and circulatory, and urinary, as well as diseases of the spine.
There is no special method to eliminate this discomfort. Only after clarification of the residual diagnosis can any measures be taken.
Other symptoms
Together with these two symptoms, one can observe others:
- increased body temperature;
- frequent body fatigue and malaise are felt;
- fever periodically occurs;
- sweating increases, especially at night.
When pain occurs, a person reflexively tries to lie on the side where it manifests. In this position, there is less discomfort during coughing.
Sputum formed
But why does a back ache when coughing? If these are the organs of the respiratory system, then these symptoms occur due to the formed sputum. Therefore, pharmaceutical preparations are prescribed that contribute to its excretion from the body. In this case, it is advisable to drink a lot of warm liquid and adhere to bed rest.
Damage to the organs of the circulatory system and intercostal neuralgia
If back pain occurs when coughing due to damage to the organs of the circulatory system, inflammatory processes occur in the area of the pericardial sac. In the supine position, the pain intensifies, and on the side, on the contrary, subsides.
If there is intercostal neuralgia, then not only these two symptoms are felt, but also sharp pain during any action or with strong breaths.
Osteochondrosis
If there is a suspicion of osteochondrosis, then there are other signs:
- Discomfort occurs when breathing in.
- Sharp and unexpected pains in the lumbar region.
- Often there is a headache.
- Numb parts of the skin, as well as muscles.
Other causes of back pain when coughing
Such symptoms can also be seen with spinal injuries. In addition, if a person has tuberculosis, then this can also be reflected in the spine, provoking the occurrence of pain when coughing, giving back.
If discomfort occurs when inhaling air, then in order to soften it, breathing is not done to the full chest. As a result, the chest is the least mobile. When lung tissue does not have the ability to fully ventilate, stagnation occurs in these organs. Because of this, a cough appears.
Lung diseases
Do not underestimate pneumonia, pleurisy, and indeed any pulmonary inflammation. They are most dangerous when hyperthermia or intoxication begins, which, in turn, can be identified by such signs:
- weakness throughout the body;
- pain in the muscles;
- loss of appetite.
Inflammation can be either unilateral or bilateral. And the pain intensifies with the slightest attempt to cough. With such a chest cough, shortness of breath is possible.
If sputum is not noticed at the initial stage of the disease, this does not mean that you need to postpone the trip to the doctor. Since complications can occur as a result, and after some time the disease becomes chronic.
It happens that there is back pain when coughing with a cold. Then you need to immediately begin treatment of the first signs of acute respiratory viral infections and additionally conduct examinations to identify additional causes of the disease.
Neglected types of colds lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. In this case, during coughing, pain is observed in the area of the shoulder blades. If pain in addition to these places is felt in the lower back, then antibiotics can not do without.
Severe and stitching pain on the one hand can indicate the presence of lung cancer. The more the tumor grows, the more noticeable it becomes. Self-medication is generally inappropriate here, since in this case it is very difficult to do without surgical intervention.
Even with the slightest sensation of back pain, if there is a cough, you must consult a specialist so that there is no complication or even more dangerous disease. Good health to you!