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What Causes Severe Cough And Sharp Pain In Back While Coughing?
I ve had a pretty bad cough the last few weeks, went to the Doctor and have it under control now, but two days ago I coughed so hard I felt something on the right side of my back - very sharp pain - and believe I may have strained something. It doesn t really hurt when I push on it, but if I cough, it feels like a knife in my back. Do you think rest & pain meds will heal this problem or should I get an x-ray, etc.
posted on
Tue, 24 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 5 Apr 2015
Answered on
Mon, 6 Apr 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello and welcome to HCM,
A sharp pain felt on the back after coughing could be due to involvement of musculoskeletal system or it could be due to pleural involvement.
A X-ray of the chest is required as first line treatment.
In addition, treatment of the cough is also required.
Cough can be either infectious, allergic or due to irritation.
Thus, based on underlying cause, treatment has to be planned and thus managed.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
A sharp pain felt on the back after coughing could be due to involvement of musculoskeletal system or it could be due to pleural involvement.
A X-ray of the chest is required as first line treatment.
In addition, treatment of the cough is also required.
Cough can be either infectious, allergic or due to irritation.
Thus, based on underlying cause, treatment has to be planned and thus managed.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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