Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hi, I have a very sharp stabbing pain in the very top of my abd very time I cough to the point I am trying not to cough anymore. The pain is located in a line accross my abd and is tender to the touch, could it just be a pulled muscle or should i worry?
[|AI|]  Hi! Good afternoon. I am Chat Doctor answering your query. Although it needs a physical examination of your abdomen with related investigations like a CBC and an ultrasound abdomen, with the history, it could be a simple abdominal muscle spasm due to the chronic cough of yours. However, I would also go for an X-ray chest to rule out any chances of a pleurisy (inflammation of the covering lining of the lungs) due to a lung infection. In this case it should get alright with an anti-inflammatory along with a proton pump inhibitor Chat Doctor.  If the pain and tenderness increases or persists, then I would advise you to take an opinion from a general surgeon in your area for further management. I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing Chat Doctor to clear doubts on your health problems. I wish you an early recovery. Chat Doctor.