Stomach Pain When Breathing: Causes And When To See A Doctor

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Human Biology

What can cause stomach pain when breathing and when to see a doctor

Medically reviewed by Kelsey Nank, PA-C — Written by Aaron Kandola — Updated on January 16, 2026

Pleurisy
Injury
GERD
Hiatal hernia
Pregnancy
When to see a doctor
Summary

Stomach pain when breathing can result from injury, a hiatal hernia, pleurisy, acid reflux, and other causes. It is often a sign of damage to the muscles or tissues in the chest cavity rather than the stomach.

When a person breathes, the diaphragm tightens and relaxes as air moves in and out of the lungs. The diaphragm is a large, thin muscle at the bottom of the chest.

Due to the position of the stomach just below the diaphragm, pain when breathing can feel as though it is in the stomach when it is actually coming from the diaphragm or other nearby chest muscles and tissues.

This article examines potential causes of stomach pain associated with breathing and when to connect with a healthcare professional.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, which is a thin membrane that folds back on itself to cover the lungs and line the inside of the chest cavity.

This inflammation creates friction between the two layers of the membrane, which can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain when a person breathes deeply or coughs.

Other symptoms of pleurisy may include:

shortness of breath
unintentional weight loss
coughing
fever
chills

Other pleural disorders, such as pleural effusion and pneumothorax, involve the buildup of gas, fluid, or blood within the pleural space, which is the area between the two layers of the membrane.

These disorders may cause symptoms that are similar to those of pleurisy, along with:

rapid heart rate
fatigue
anxiety
restlessness
respiratory failure

People with symptoms of a pleural disorder should connect with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Pleurisy is typically caused by infection, trauma, cancer, or autoimmune conditions.

Treatment will depend on the type of disorder, the underlying causes, and the severity of any symptoms. Some treatments may include anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve symptoms and a procedure to remove fluids, gas, or blood from the pleural space.

Diaphragm injury

As with any muscle, it is possible to injure the diaphragm. Causes of diaphragm injuries can include:

heavy, blunt blows to the chest
injuries that penetrate the chest
severe coughing
surgery

In severe cases, an injury may cause diaphragm rupture. This is more commonly caused by penetrative trauma, such as stabbing, gunshot, or impalement with a sharp object, rather than blunt trauma, such as a car crash, falling, or being crushed.

Symptoms of a diaphragm injury may include:

pain in the abdomen or chest
difficulty breathing
cough
nausea
vomiting

It is sometimes difficult for healthcare professionals to diagnose diaphragm injuries because they often occur alongside other significant injuries to the abdomen and chest area.

The diaphragm needs to move continuously to support breathing, so an injury cannot recover solely through rest. People with diaphragm injuries usually require surgery to repair the damage.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid from the stomach leaks out and flows back up into the esophagus.

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which is a painful, burning sensation in the middle of the chest or abdomen. However, not everyone with GERD experiences heartburn.

Other symptoms of GERD may include:

pain in the chest or upper abdomen
breathing difficulties
chronic cough
nausea or vomiting
bad breath
painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing
tooth decay

GERD can occur when the valve at the bottom of the esophagus becomes weak or impaired. Causes of GERD and potential risk factors may include:

having overweight
being pregnant
smoking
taking certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
having a hiatal hernia

Treatment for GERD may include a combination of:

dietary and lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a moderate weight and limiting trigger foods
medications to help reduce stomach acid and manage symptoms
surgery, such as fundoplication, for people with difficult-to-treat GERD

A healthcare professional can help develop a treatment plan tailored to an individual’s needs.

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes through a weakened section of the diaphragm.

Healthcare professionals do not fully understand what causes a hiatal hernia, but risk factors may include:

being over 50 years old
having obesity or overweight
smoking

A hiatal hernia does not usually cause symptoms itself, but it can make it easier for stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus, which can lead to GERD. This may cause symptoms like:

heartburn
acid reflux
breathing difficulties
pain in the chest or abdomen
difficulty swallowing
bad breath

People with a hiatal hernia who experience few or no symptoms may not require treatment.

For people with symptoms, treatment is similar to that for GERD. It may include lifestyle modification, medications, and surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the uterus expands, which can put pressure on the diaphragm. Hormonal changes, such as increased progesterone levels, might also lead to deeper breathing.

These two changes may cause shortness of breath and pain or discomfort in the chest or abdomen in some pregnant people, particularly in the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40).

Some ways to help reduce abdominal pain and breathing difficulties may include:

limiting activities that trigger or worsen symptoms, such as strenuous exercise
maintaining good posture
using pillows to prop up the upper body while sleeping

When to connect with a doctor

Pain in the stomach area or abdomen that occurs while breathing may resolve on its own without treatment.

However, people with recurring or ongoing abdominal pain may wish to connect with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation.

A person should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:

sharp, severe chest pain
difficulty breathing or swallowing
pain when touching the abdominal area
difficulty farting, urinating, or passing stool
frequent vomiting that is bloody or looks like ground coffee
dizziness
confusion

Summary

Stomach pain that occurs with breathing is often due to a problem with the diaphragm or other chest muscles or tissues, rather than the stomach itself.

Some possible causes may include diaphragm injuries, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, GERD, and pleurisy.

It is important to connect with a doctor for recurring, persistent, or worsening pain when breathing. A person should seek immediate medical attention for severe chest pain or breathing difficulties.

Respiratory
Acid Reflux / GERD
GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Pain / Anesthetics

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Azer SA, et al. (2025). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554462/
Ejikeme C, et al. (2025). Respiratory physiological changes in pregnancy.https://www.resmedjournal.com/article/S0954-6111(25)00308-7/abstract
Hiatal hernia. (2025).https://medlineplus.gov/hiatalhernia.html
Simon LV, et al. (2025). Diaphragm rupture.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470214/
Stomach ache. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/stomach-ache/
Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD. (2020).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/symptoms-causes
What are pleural disorders? (2022).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pleural-disorders

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Medically reviewed by Kelsey Nank, PA-C — Written by Aaron Kandola — Updated on January 16, 2026

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Tag » Why Does My Stomach Hurt When I Cough

Stomach Pain When Breathing: Causes And When To See A Doctor

Human Biology

Pleurisy

Diaphragm injury

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Hiatal hernia

Pregnancy

When to connect with a doctor

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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