- 1. Knock on the ribs
- 2. Costochondritis
- 3. Pleurisy
- 4. Fibromyalgia
- 5. Pulmonary embolism
- 6. Lung cancer
Rib pain is uncommon and is usually related to blows to the chest or ribs, which can arise due to traffic accidents or impacts when playing some more violent sports, such as Muay Thai, MMA or Rugby, for example.
However, pain in the ribs can also be a sign of a respiratory problem and, in the most severe cases, can indicate cancer or even a heart attack. Thus, whenever the pain is very intense or takes more than 2 days to relieve, it is advisable to go to the general practitioner to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
1. Knock on the ribs
This is the main cause of pain in the ribs, which usually happens due to falls, traffic accidents or the practice of sports, resulting in constant pain in the ribs, purple spots and difficulty in moving the trunk. In most cases, the blows are light and cause only a stretch in the muscles, but there are other situations in which fractures can occur.
What to do: it is advisable to keep the rest to allow the muscles to recover, however, you can also apply cold compresses on the affected area, especially if purple spots appear on the spot. If the pain is very severe and prevents breathing or if a fracture is suspected, it is very important to go to the hospital to have an X-ray and start treatment. See when to use hot or cold compresses to relieve pain.
2. Costochondritis
Costochondritis is the most frequent cause of rib pain when there is no specific cause, such as a blow to the chest, for example. It happens due to the inflammation of the cartilages that connect the upper ribs to the sternum bone and, therefore, it is common to feel intense sensitivity in the region between the nipples, especially when putting pressure on the region. See all symptoms of costochondritis.
What to do: in many cases the symptoms improve after 2 or 3 days just with rest and application of hot compresses in the region, but it may also be necessary to take painkillers, such as Naproxen or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, preferably prescribed by the general practitioner.
3. Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammatory problem that affects the pleura, a thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs and the interior of the thoracic region. In these cases, it is common for the pain to be more intense when inhaling, as this is when the lung fills with air and the inflamed tissue scrapes the surrounding organs.
What to do: It is important to go to the hospital to start antibiotic treatment directly in the vein and to relieve inflammation. In addition, you may still need to do respiratory physiotherapy for up to 2 weeks.
4. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a type of chronic pain that can affect different parts of the body, but that still does not have a specific cause, and can appear at any age, especially between 30 and 60 years. Usually, pain is attributed to fibromyalgia when all tests are done and it is not possible to identify another cause for rib pain.
What to do: there is no specific way to treat fibromyalgia, however, some techniques like doing acupuncture, physical therapy or investing in a diet rich in omega 3 can help improve the quality of life. See the main ways of treating fibromyalgia.
5. Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism, although rare, is a serious condition that occurs when a pulmonary artery is blocked by a clot and can cause serious injuries, with symptoms such as severe pain when breathing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, coughing up blood and sweat excessive. Better understand how to identify a pulmonary embolism.
What to do: If pulmonary embolism is suspected, it is important to go to the hospital quickly, as treatment needs to be started to remove the clot from the lung and allow the blood to pass freely again.
6. Lung cancer
Although it is the rarest cause, the appearance of pain in the chest area near the ribs can also be a sign of lung cancer. In these cases, the pain is more intense when taking a deep breath and other signs such as wheezing when breathing, bloody cough, back pain and weight loss without apparent cause may also appear. See other symptoms of lung cancer.
What to do: treatment for cancer should be started as early as possible to ensure the best chances of cure, so if cancer is suspected it is very important to make an appointment with the pulmonologist.
