Bruised rib is a discoloration of the skin that may indicate a crack or break in one of the bones usually resulted by a strong force, such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, or a hit with a blunt object. In older people, however, only a slight force (such as a minor fall) is sufficient.
Bruised Ribs Symptoms and Causes: We have 24 ribs in the rib cage which protect our internal organs and help us breathe. Bruised Ribs or fracture generally occur from a direct blow to the torso or chest by a car accident, significant fall or by a hard it of any edgy object or heavy object. However, some diseases like osteoporosis and bone cancer can severely weaken the ribs and the other bones and cause them to break merely from coughing hard or routine twisting or lifting.
In some cases, fractured ribs puncture the lungs and other internal organs of the body, which can be fatal and the necessity of emergency medical treatment arises. An injured or fractured rib is often a result of some type of trauma. The medical name of broken or bruised ribs is Rib Contusion. This type of injury is generally seen in the wrestlers. This injury is very painful, breathing or coughing and sneezing can also be painful due to bruised ribs.
Topics Covered
- What does it feel like to have Bruised Ribs?
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Causes of Bruised Ribs
There are many things which can cause chest pain such as
- An injury to the chest from physical sports
- An accident (generally by a vehicle)
- Frequent coughing due to pneumonia, bronchitis and whooping cough
- Osteoporosis (a disease that affects bones)
- Inflamed rib cartilage
- Muscle spasms
- Blunt trauma such as an assault with a hard object
Bruised ribs are also caused due to constant sports, generally by football, rugby or golf players. This type of fracture can be very painful. One should seek medical advice immediately.
Here are the 9 Signs and Symptoms of BRUISED RIBS?
Bruised Ribs are extremely painful. Even one will feel the pain in ribs while coughing or sneezing also. One should consult the doctor immediately if you suffer from any of the following symptoms of bruised ribs:
1) Pain in the Injured Area:Due to the severe injury a sudden pain starts in the injured area. Earlier the pain may not be that bad but it may get worse with the passage of time
2) Extreme Pain while Breathing:Bruised ribs can cause unbearable pain while breathing. This pain can even lead to heavy breathing
3) Muscle Spasms of the Rib Cage:If one notices a sudden pain in muscle then he or she should consult the doctor immediately as it is a sign of bruised ribs.
4) Pain while Move, Laugh or Sneeze: Injuries in the ribs can even cause you pain while you move. Even laughing or sneezing can be more painful.
5) Increased Shortness of Breath:Bruised ribs can cause shortness of breath. It may become very difficult for a person to breath.
6) Coughing up Blood:severe bruises in the bone may cause coughing with blood. And an extreme pain in the chest while coughing.
7) Pain in the Shoulder or Stomach:Bruised ribs can cause extreme pain in the chest, and the pain can even move on towards shoulders from the chest area.
8) Coughing up Green or Yellow Mucus: If the case goes more serious than you may start noticing green or yellow mucus in the coughs.
9) High Fever: If the fever of 100.4o F or above lasts for 24 to 48 hours, then your injured ribs are bruised.
What does it feel like to have Bruised Ribs?
In most of the cases, it hurts very badly. The patient may experience severe pain in the chest or shoulder, generally in the infected area. Sometimes a person may experience fever above 38o C, which can last up to more than 48 hours. A person should immediately consult the doctor when such symptoms occur. Bruised ribs can cause shortness of breath, it may be difficult for a person to sneeze or laugh also. It is advisable to consult the doctor or run to the medical expertise whenever you notice any signs of the bruised ribs. Delaying medical treatment can be fatal or may worsen the case.
See Also:Pain Under Left Rib Cage
Bruised Ribs from Coughing
We live to the breath. Breathing is something which can’t be controlled by us until and unless death. If some irritant enters our nasal area then it can affect our breathing, resulting in sneeze and coughs. Frequent coughing leads to repetitive contractions which may hurt our ribs, causing them to become bruised or even cracked.
Coughing can also be caused by bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, whooping cough or another kind of respiratory infections. During these bouts, those who have thinner or more fragile bones may suffer from fracture or bruising more easily than the people having strong bones. Thus, patients suffering from arthritis, osteoporosis or other such condition are more likely to experience these problems.
Pain in the ribs can be due to different causes ranging from mild overstrained muscles to serious lung conditions.
Some of the Causes which lead to Rib Pain
Lung Disorders:Most of the signs which are related to lungs show symptoms of cough, hence they need special attention especially when it is a matter of respiratory system. The lungs are surrounded by a structure called pleura, which is the membranous lining. The pleura can get inflamed or there can be an accumulation of plasma in between the lining. This can give rise to extreme pain under the ribs on breathing and coughing. Sometimes, lungs are also infected by cancer, which can lead to repetitive coughing. In such a condition, the proper examination is necessary with an appropriate treatment to avoid complications.
Costochondritis: Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage which joins the ribs to the other bony structures. Due to various reasons like strong jerks, lifting, overstretching, the cartilage can get inflamed. Viral infections which cause cough problems can also lead to bruised ribs. These infected ribs give rise to the pain in the rib cage area and normal tenderness may also be felt on touching or pressing. As the cartilage helps in movement of the ribs during breathing, such movement can cause discomfort along with the pain.
Thus rib pain or bruised ribs must not be considered as a normal pain, but one should immediately consult the doctor to avoid any complications in the future.
It is advisable to seek medical advice as earliest as possible to identify the problem so that it can be treated as soon as possible. Thus, bruised ribs is a serious problem and one should seek medical expertise.
Other Posts:
I have read just about everything on this site (and others) and the answer is always the same: see a doctor, see a doctor! Even if i could afford to, I cannot, so I need help (I won't take it as 'gospel') but from anyone who's ever had a bruised, cracked, or broken rib- please let me know based on experience.So here's the deal: I got in a fight with somebody and I was slammed into a hard floor surface. There is a long red line going right beneath my 'breast' (left side from my angel) and a small purple bruise. It hurts a LITTLE when I take a huge deep breath (only inhaling, mostly), cough, or put pressure on the injury site. One other thing that's important to know is that I am already ON paid meds (kinda) so I'm worrying they may be blocking the pain. I am on bupe (suboxone) and from my UNDERSTANDING if it was BROKEN to the point where it would possibly puncture a lung, I wouldn't even be able to sit up or lay down. I believe it's 5 ribs down, and looking at my own body, to my left, it's right below my nipple (the injury site)
So my question (and I BEG OF YOU *PLEASE* do not say 'go to a doctor' - if I could I wouldn't be typing this right now!!) (*thank you!) :)
QUESTION: What is the PAIN difference between bruised, cracked, broken? How can I 'tell' on my own? I am SOMEWHAT savvy in medicine and the pain isn't THAT bad (remember- I'm already ON a narcotic so it might be masking it).. I know that, short of lung puncture, there's not much they can do but give me more drugs. So basically as long as I'm not going to puncture a lung or anything, I'm happy (well as happy as one can be for feeling like someone that got sucker punched in the chest!) So is there anyone out there with PERSONAL experience? I appreciate ANY insight except 'get an x-ray' - if it comes to it, I WILL but I really can't afford it and it would be a GREAT financial challenge to go to the hospital and pay the darn bill down the road.
The time frame is about 8-10 hours ago this happened. If it was broken or I was looking at a puncture, would I 'know' it by now, narcotics or not? I've NEVER broken a bone before *(sprained a foot but,) so I REALLY don't even know what a fracture feels like, let alone a break. ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance. (and I haven't urinated YET but no coughing of blood, etc.) PLEASE HELP - thank you. I will choose a best answer even if only one person gives a thought. Thank you very much for your time. And yes, the injury site is sore to the touch, but I've been 'feeling' it all day so who knows if it's psychosomatic. All I know is coughing doesn't hurt as much as a DEEEEEP breath, and I mean really deep- then it hurts.
Help? Please?
And thank you again.
SUMMATION:
1) BROKEN, bruised, or fractured?
2) CANNOT see doctor unless it's life or death (if I could I wouldn't be on HERE explaining it
looking for anyone with FIRST HAND experience, especially with the 'pain levels'
and finally
3) THANK YOU
That's all.
![Cracked Cracked](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125850377/897360131.jpg)
-D.