Why Do My Ribs Hurt When I Sneeze?

Written by

Jessica Guht

Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be accessible to everyone and strives to write content that every single person can understand. When Jessica isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading a book with a dog cuddled in her lap. Jessica has a Masters of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

Sneezing can cause chest pain for a variety of reasons. It is usually caused by an illness, disease, or injury to the chest wall.

When you sneeze, the pain may occur or worsen. This is due to the fact that sneezing causes the muscles and bones in your chest to shift.

When sneezing, muscle strain is a typical cause of chest pain. Other causes include chronic diseases such as heartburn and more serious issues such as tumors.

Sneezing can produce pain in a single region or throughout your chest. It can occur anywhere from the neck to the upper abdomen. Your chest pain could feel like this:

• Stabbing or sharp
• Dull 
• Tender 
• An aching, burning sensation
• Tightness, or pressure

Table of Contents

• What Can Cause Rib Pain After Sneezing?
• What to Do When Sneezing Hurts Your Ribs?
• When Should You Consult a Doctor?
• Key Takeaways

What Can Cause Rib Pain After Sneezing?

Pleurisy

Pleurisy occurs when the pleura, or the lining of the lungs, becomes inflamed or enlarged. Pleurisy can be caused by a variety of conditions.

In severe situations, fluid accumulates between the layers of the lining. This could result in an infection.

Depending on the reason for your pleurisy, you may require treatment. Pleurisy can be caused by a variety of serious conditions, including:

• Pneumonia caused by bacteria
• Infections caused by fungi
• Chest wounds or injuries caused by blood clots
• Sickle cell disease
• Tumors or cancer
• Lupus and other chronic diseases

Pleurisy is breath in acute chest pain. When you breathe, sneeze, or cough, the discomfort may worsen. Other signs and symptoms may include, a cough fever back or shoulder pain, loss of breath chest, and, stiffness or pressure. 

Muscle Strain

Intercostal muscular strain is another name for rib muscle tension. The intercostal muscles are located between your ribs and connect them. Muscle tension or strained muscles account for up to 49% of all chest pain. It is normally harmless and heals on its own.

Rib muscles can be strained as a result of a fall or an accident. Poor posture, exercise, lifting large objects, or twisting your upper body can all cause harm to these muscles. Coughing or sneezing too much might also strain your rib muscles. It can happen gradually over time or all at once.

Chest pain can be caused by a muscle strain. Your ribs could be damaged or sore. When you sneeze or breathe hard, the pain may worsen. This is because these muscles assist in moving the rib cage up and down while you breathe.

Asthma Caused by Allergies

Some people get asthma as a result of allergies. Allergic rhinitis, sometimes known as hay fever, causes nasal and sinus symptoms. Asthma mostly affects the lungs and creates symptoms in the chest.

Allergic asthma causes symptoms similar to hay fever and asthma, such as:

• Sneezing and a runny nose
• Itchy eyes due to sinus congestion
• Stiffness or pain in the chest
• Shortness of breath due to wheezing
• Coughing, rapid breathing, and exhaustion

To assist in controlling symptoms, your doctor may prescribe allergy and asthma drugs. Avoiding allergens such as pollen, animal dander, and dust can also help reduce the severity of allergic asthma symptoms.

Infection of the Lungs

Sneezing and chest pain could indicate a lung or chest infection. Lower respiratory tract infection is another name for a lung infection. It affects the breathing tubes that go into and out of your lungs. Severe infections can go further into your lungs.

A regular cold or flu can occasionally result in a lung infection. Bronchitis is an infection or inflammation of the respiratory tube lining. More dangerous lung infections include pneumonia and TB.

Lung infections necessitate immediate medical attention.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have a lung infection:

• A dry or wet cough
• Chest pain or aching
• Yellow or green mucus or phlegm
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Exhaustion

What to Do When Sneezing Hurts Your Ribs?

The source of chest pain during sneezing determines the treatment. Some disorders may not necessitate any therapy at all. Viral infections, such as the flu, normally resolve on their own. Muscle strains heal on their own.

Chronic diseases such as asthma, heartburn, and arthritis may necessitate the use of regular drugs. For severe infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungal medications.

The majority of bruised, fractured, or broken ribs will heal on their own. Your doctor may recommend pain medication to aid in your recovery. Sternum and collarbone injuries may necessitate further treatment and take longer to heal.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

Inform your doctor if you get chest pain with every sneeze. Your doctor can determine the source of your chest pain if you do not have a persistent ailment or an accident.

Consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Cough that will not go gone
• Fever or chills with wheeze
• No appetite due to severe chest pain
• Leg swelling due to bloody mucous

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Key Takeaways

The most common reason for chest pain after sneezing is an issue with the chest wall, such as muscle strain. Sneezing, coughing, and heavy breathing force your rib cage and chest muscles to shift up and down.

In rare circumstances, chest pain during sneezing may indicate a more serious condition.

Consult your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms in addition to chest pain during sneezing. If your chest pain is severe or lasts for an extended period of time, get immediate medical treatment.

Sources:

• Annemieke J. H. Verwoerd, Jan Mens, Abdelilah el Barzouhi, Wilco C. Peul, Bart W. Koes & Arianne P. Verhagen (2016). A diagnostic study in patients with sciatica establishing the importance of localization of worsening of pain during coughing, sneezing and straining to assess nerve root compression on MRI; European Spine Journal volume 25, pages 1389–139. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-016-4393-8
• Pleurisy; Mayo Clinic (2022). Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pleurisy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351863
• Amba Ayloo, Teresa Cvengros, Srimannarayana Marella (2013); Evaluation and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Chest Pain. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2013.08.007 
• April Kahn, Alana Biggers (2021). Allergic Asthma: Everything You Need to Know. Healthline. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma/allergic-asthma#causes
• Respiratory Illnesses: 13 Types of Lung Infections. On Health (2022). Available from: https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/respiratory_infections_causes
• Hendrika Meischke Mary T. Ho, Mickey S. Eisenberg, Sharon M. Schaeffer, Mary P Larsen (1995). Reasons Patients With Chest Pain Delay or Do Not Call 911. Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 25, issue 2, P193-197. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(95)70323-3