Right breast pain when coughing can be a concerning symptom, indicating issues from common, self-limiting conditions to those requiring medical evaluation. The chest cavity contains multiple structures, including muscles, bones, parts of the respiratory system, and digestive organs, all of which can contribute to pain in this area, particularly when coughing exerts pressure. Understanding the diverse origins of this pain helps recognize when it might be a temporary irritation or a sign of a more significant health matter.
Common Causes of Pain
Musculoskeletal issues frequently contribute to right breast pain when coughing. Costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, can cause sharp chest wall pain, often worsening with deep breaths or coughing. This condition typically causes tenderness when pressure is applied to the affected area and often resolves within weeks or a few months. Intercostal muscle strain, affecting the muscles between the ribs, is another common cause. Vigorous activities, heavy lifting, or severe coughing can strain these muscles, leading to localized, sharp pain that intensifies with movements like deep breathing, coughing, or torso twisting.
Respiratory infections also frequently lead to chest discomfort, including pain under the right breast during coughing. Bronchitis, characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causes persistent coughing, which can result in chest soreness or pain. Pleurisy, an inflammation of the pleura—the double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity—can cause sharp chest pain exacerbated by coughing or deep breathing. The friction between the inflamed layers generates this painful sensation.
Gastrointestinal conditions, particularly acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause pain perceived in the chest, including under the right breast. This occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, leading to a burning sensation. While typically associated with heartburn, this discomfort can radiate to the chest and be aggravated by coughing or bending over. The pain can mimic other causes of chest discomfort, making it important to consider digestive factors.
Less Common or More Serious Causes
Beyond common conditions, right breast pain when coughing can signal more serious health concerns. Pneumonia, a lung infection where air sacs fill with fluid, often presents with sharp chest pain that worsens with coughing or deep breathing. Other symptoms, such as fever, chills, and shortness of breath, frequently accompany this condition. Untreated pneumonia can lead to significant complications.
A pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, putting pressure on the lung. This can cause sudden, sharp chest pain and shortness of breath, intensified by coughing. While sometimes occurring spontaneously, it can also result from injury or underlying lung disease.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) involves a blood clot blocking an artery in the lungs, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms include sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing, sudden shortness of breath, and a rapid heart rate. The pain might feel like a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.
Less commonly, certain cardiac issues or malignancies can be associated with chest pain and coughing. While pain under the right breast is less typically linked to heart attacks compared to left-sided pain, conditions like pericarditis—inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart—can cause chest pain and a cough. Lung cancer can also manifest with a persistent cough and chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing or coughing, often accompanied by symptoms like unexplained weight loss or recurrent infections.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Recognizing symptoms that accompany right breast pain when coughing can indicate a need for immediate medical evaluation. Seek prompt medical attention if you experience:
- Severe, sharp, or sudden chest pain, especially without clear cause.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, particularly if sudden or rapidly worsening.
- Coughing up blood or blood-streaked mucus.
- Pain accompanied by fever or chills.
- Pain that radiates to other areas, such as the jaw, arms, or shoulder.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- A rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Pain that does not improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relievers, or progressively worsens.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosing the cause of right breast pain when coughing typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Healthcare professionals will inquire about the pain’s nature, onset, duration, and any accompanying symptoms. During the physical exam, the chest may be palpated for tenderness, and lung sounds will be listened to. This initial assessment helps narrow down potential causes.
Further diagnostic tests may include imaging studies to visualize the chest’s internal structures. A chest X-ray can reveal issues with the lungs or ribs, such as pneumonia or a pneumothorax. A computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound might be used for more detailed imaging. Blood tests may also be ordered to check for signs of infection or inflammation, or to assess for conditions like pulmonary embolism if suspected.
Management of the pain depends on the underlying diagnosis.
For common musculoskeletal strains or costochondritis, treatment often involves rest, avoiding activities that worsen pain, and using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Applying hot or cold compresses can also provide relief.
For respiratory infections, specific treatments like antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia or supportive care for viral bronchitis may be prescribed.
More serious conditions, such as a pulmonary embolism, require specialized medical interventions, which may include blood thinners. In cases of a collapsed lung, procedures like needle aspiration or chest tube insertion may be necessary to remove air and allow the lung to re-inflate.
Receiving a professional diagnosis is important to ensure appropriate and effective treatment.