Buzz
If you experience pain when coughing, sneezing, breathing deeply, twisting your body, or bending your upper torso, it might indicate that you've bruised your ribs. If the ribs are not broken, home treatment can be effective, though you should seek medical attention if the pain becomes unbearable. Applying ice, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, using warm compresses, and getting plenty of rest may help you feel more comfortable during your recovery period.
Steps
Instant Pain Relief
Apply ice to the injured area in intervals for up to 48 hours. Ice therapy on the ribs will help alleviate pain and reduce swelling, which aids in the healing of bruised tissues. Make sure to only apply ice within the first 48 hours after the injury, and avoid using heat during this period.
Use a bag of frozen vegetables (like peas or corn), or put crushed ice in a resealable plastic bag. Wrap the bag in a towel or t-shirt and apply it to the bruised rib area for relief.
Take pain relievers as directed. If every breath causes pain, controlling the discomfort will help you feel better. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, naproxen, or acetaminophen according to the instructions on the label. Always consult a doctor before starting a new pain medication. Avoid ibuprofen within 48 hours after the injury, as it may slow down the healing process.
- If you are under 19, you are at risk of Reye's syndrome, so avoid taking aspirin.
- You can continue taking pain relievers during the recovery period if the rib area still hurts, but be sure to follow your doctor's advice or the directions on the medication label.
Apply a warm, moist compress after 48 hours. After a few days, heat can help speed up the healing process and relieve pain. You can use a warm, wet cloth or take a warm bath to soothe the sore area if you prefer.
Avoid wrapping your ribs. Previously, the most common treatment for bruised ribs was to wrap the chest with a bandage for compression.
However, this method is no longer recommended, as restricting your breathing can lead to complications such as pneumonia. Therefore, do not wrap your ribs with a compression bandage.
Treating Rib Injuries
Rest as much as possible. This is not the time to push yourself, especially if breathing causes pain. Rest is the best thing you can do to recover quickly. Grab a book or find a good movie and relax while your ribs heal.
Take a few days off if you can, especially if your job requires long periods of standing or physical labor.
Avoid pushing, pulling, or lifting heavy objects. Do not engage in sports, exercise, or other physical activities while waiting for your ribs to heal, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Control your breathing. Rib bruising can cause pain when breathing, but it’s important to try to breathe normally and cough when necessary to prevent complications like pneumonia. If you need to cough, you can place a pillow against your ribs to limit movement and ease the pain.
- Take deep breaths whenever you can. Every few minutes, try to inhale deeply, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly. If your ribs seem severely injured, aim for at least one deep breath every hour.
- Try breathing exercises. When you feel like you can’t breathe normally, practice inhaling slowly for 3 seconds, holding your breath for 3 seconds, and exhaling for another 3 seconds. Repeat this process for a few minutes, once or twice daily.
- Avoid smoking. During recovery from rib injury, lung irritants can make you more susceptible to infections. Take this opportunity to quit smoking.
Sleep sitting up. The pain may worsen if you lie down and toss and turn through the night. During the first few nights, try sleeping in a sitting position, such as in a reclining chair, to ease discomfort. Sleeping upright also limits movement and prevents you from rolling onto your stomach, reducing pain.
- You can also try lying on the side of the injury. While it may seem counterintuitive, this position can actually help you breathe more easily.
Seek medical attention
Seek emergency medical care if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain. Shortness of breath can indicate a more serious condition than just bruised ribs. If you suddenly find it difficult to breathe, experience chest pain, or cough up blood, immediately contact emergency services or seek urgent medical attention.
- Be cautious of flail chest. This occurs when three or more adjacent ribs break, potentially causing severe difficulty breathing. If you suspect more than one rib is injured and you cannot take deep breaths, you should seek medical attention.
Visit a doctor if you suspect a broken rib. Bruised or cracked ribs indicate some damage but remain in place within the chest cavity. In contrast, a broken rib is more dangerous because it may shift out of its normal position and potentially puncture blood vessels, the lungs, or other organs. It’s important to seek medical care instead of attempting to treat it at home if you suspect a rib is broken rather than just bruised.
Advice: Gently run your hand over your chest. The area around a fractured or bruised rib might be swollen, but you shouldn’t feel any areas that protrude or sink in. If you suspect a broken rib, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Make an appointment with a doctor if you have persistent or severe pain. Chest pain can result from various causes, some of which may be life-threatening. A proper diagnosis ensures the correct treatment. Your doctor might recommend a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or bone scintigraphy to confirm a rib fracture. However, cartilage injuries or bruising may not show up in these tests. Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Increased pain in the abdomen or shoulder.
- Symptoms like coughing or fever.
Advice
- Avoid engaging your abdominal muscles too much and try sleeping in a seated position to alleviate rib and shoulder pain.
- Consider soaking in a hot bath with added salt, eucalyptus oil, baking soda, or a combination of all three ingredients.
- Ensure you follow up with a medical check-up 1-2 weeks after the injury.
- Aim to maintain your regular posture. Avoiding rib pain might lead to back pain if not done carefully.
- Pay attention to complications, such as pneumonia, during the recovery phase.
Warnings
- Call emergency services if you experience difficulty breathing, a feeling of pressure, pain in the middle of the chest, or pain radiating to the shoulder or arm. These symptoms may indicate a heart attack.
- This article is not a substitute for medical advice.
- Do not attempt to treat broken ribs on your own. If you show symptoms of a rib fracture, seek immediate medical attention.
