What Causes Pain And Tenderness Under Rib Cage While Coughing?

Posted on Fri, 13 Nov 2015

Question: I have pain when I cough and tenderness under my rib cage. I am taking meds for a cold including an inhaler and hydroccodone for cough. I have had this for one week now. Is this just muscle strain from coughing?
Actually this has been going on for two weeks but the rib cage pain on right side and also on my back started about a week ago.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Better to get done chest x ray first.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion you should first get done chest x ray to rule out lung infection.
You are having pleuritic pain. And lung infection is common cause for pleuritic pain.
You are not improving with drugs, so better to get done chest x ray to rule out lung infection.
If chest x ray is normal then no need to worry much. If chest x ray is normal then possibility of musculoskeletal pain is more.
Then you need painkiller and muscle relaxant drugs. Application of warm water pad on affected areas is also beneficial.
So first rule out lung infection by chest x ray.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj