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What Causes Severe Left Flank Pain When I Cough?

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Posted on Sat, 9 Aug 2014
Question: I have left flank pain for the past few months that can be severe enough when I cough where I have to hold my side to keep the pain at a minimum. It's always there if I press between my ribs and hips on my left side. When I cough hard it feels like something is shifting like a slight popping that I can feel ever so slightly. My own guesses were either dehydration or a hernia. I had a clean xray last month as well as a ok urine test. I may go in for an MRI, but is it necessary? I don't have any other symptoms besides the pain. Could i be severely dehydrated? This pain has been around for about 3 months without any lasting improvements
about me I'm 6'0", 175lbs, and according to the last ER doc in perfect health, so why this pain? It's very odd.
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Answered by Dr. Vidya KR (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Muscular tear or rib fracture

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I went through your query and understood your concerns.

With your description of symptoms I can think if two possibilities one muscular tear or rub fracture both of them pains while coughing.

By complete physical examination it's possible to diagnose your condition. Even with a good chest x-ray its possible to detect any rib fracture. MRI is not always required. If its difficult to conclude with examination, better to go for MRI.

Strapping and cough suppression should help to reduce your treatment.
You need to get treated for cough, once cough is under control any rib or muscular trams heals automatically. If your pain doesn't reduce even after this, then you can get MRI to check for any underlying pathology.

Hope I answered your query. Feel free to ask further related query.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Vidya KR

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1664 Questions

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What Causes Severe Left Flank Pain When I Cough?

Brief Answer: Muscular tear or rib fracture Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I went through your query and understood your concerns. With your description of symptoms I can think if two possibilities one muscular tear or rub fracture both of them pains while coughing. By complete physical examination it's possible to diagnose your condition. Even with a good chest x-ray its possible to detect any rib fracture. MRI is not always required. If its difficult to conclude with examination, better to go for MRI. Strapping and cough suppression should help to reduce your treatment. You need to get treated for cough, once cough is under control any rib or muscular trams heals automatically. If your pain doesn't reduce even after this, then you can get MRI to check for any underlying pathology. Hope I answered your query. Feel free to ask further related query. Regards