Rib or chest pain is a common ailment that we should not ignore. That discomfort on one side or that pinch when breathing can often be due to an untreated health problem. Hence, seeing a doctor for evaluation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment is necessary.
First of all, it is essential to remember that the most common cause of rib pain is usually an overload caused by some physical effort. However, this symptom is something that we must attend to and take care of when it occurs continuously and prevents everyday life.
Next, we will develop the leading causes of this chest discomfort, but remember that information can never replace medical consultation.
Contents
Rib pain: a nuisance with many origins
We must know that the pain we feel does not originate in the ribs but in the joint or the affected muscles of that particular thoracic region.
As specialist doctors explain, rib pain is usually one of primary care centers’ most frequent day-to-day visits. Most of the time, as we have indicated at the beginning, the cause is a lousy movement or an overload.
However, we cannot rule out any other condition or imbalance. For this reason, it is worth knowing the most common types of diseases associated with the ribs.
1. Floating ribs
If you have never heard of floating ribs, you will be interested to know that we are talking about those pairs of ribs in the lowest part of the ribcage. Some people get these ribs removed to get a more defined waist.
The curious thing about these bony structures is that they are attached only to the vertebrae, not the sternum or the cartilage that emerges from the sternum.
The problem with floating ribs is that they are usually susceptible structures; any sudden movement can cause the vertebra to swell or move a little; any of these incidents generate a lot of pain.
2. Blow or rib contusion
Bumps and bruises to the rib cage are among the most common causes of rib pain. The most common causes include falls from a height, traffic accidents, and impact sports, such as rugby or American football.
These lesions are generally accompanied by limitation of movement, redness, and swelling in the affected area. Applying cold compresses and the direct approach’s early measures improve the pain’s evolution. Professionals may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to relieve symptoms.
3. Physical overload
Sometimes rib pain appears due to a mechanical overload on the intercostal musculature. This occurs during intense physical exercises, such as weight lifting and gymnastics. The person usually reports chest pain when moving their arms or taking a deep breath.
Medical treatment is based on the relative rest of the muscles and medications to alleviate discomfort. Analgesics and muscle relaxants help reduce pain. Most people get better after several days.
4. Costochondritis
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the joint that joins the sternum to the ribs or the area between the rib and the cartilage. Therefore, it is a musculoskeletal disease that takes several months to heal.
According to an article, people who suffer from it can feel chest pain. We can feel pain when touching this area or even see a noticeable swelling as a lump. It causes it to hurt a lot to breathe, and we can barely move.
The causes that cause costochondritis are multiple. They can range from psoriatic arthritis to lupus and even appear distressed and stressed.5. Cracks or fractures in the ribs
Fissures or rib fractures are among the most frequent causes of rib pain. It is always necessary to suspect the presence of this lesion when pain occurs after intense trauma to the area.
Sometimes, we can have a cracked rib and not know it or attribute it to simple fatigue. Many think ribs only fracture due to an “impact” or a wrong movement. Therefore, we must take these aspects into account.
A strong cough maintained over several days can cause small fissures or fractures. Many people do not associate this ailment with a broken rib and are surprised by the intense pain in that specific area.
6. Shingles
It is a skin condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The microorganism is capable of causing chickenpox when it affects an individual for the first time. However, people can develop shingles because the virus remains inactive in the nervous system so that it can reactivate and travel through the nerves to the skin.
Shingles can appear on any body region, including the rib cage. The disease manifests itself with a series of excruciating skin blisters. It is also possible to present burning, redness, swelling, and itching in the area. Fortunately, adequate medical treatment allows the remission of the disease without leaving significant sequelae.
7. Fibromyalgia
It is a chronic disorder characterized by the appearance of generalized musculoskeletal pain, tiredness, and fatigue. It can affect the coastal region and interrupt daily activities. At present, there is no known specific cause of this syndrome. However, they usually appear in people between 30 and 60.
Fibromyalgia is usually suspected without another condition evident by clinical examination and laboratory tests. Treatment is based on physical therapy sessions, pain-relieving medications, stress management techniques, and lifestyle changes.
Rib pain and heart problems
If there is no traumatic event and the pain appears overnight, without an exact origin, it can cause more severe problems, such as angina, a heart attack, or pericarditis.
Angina pectoris is a condition caused by a lack of oxygen in the heart. Your symptoms may start with chest pain just behind the breastbone or slightly to the left; the discomfort radiates to the arm, shoulder, and jaw. As an article points out, angina is one of the most frequent symptoms of ischemic heart disease and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
On the other hand, pain in the ribs can also warn us of a heart attack. Logically, we must go to the emergency room immediately in these circumstances.
Likewise, an infection and inflammation in the tissue around the heart —pericarditis—also includes pain in the central part of the chest, among the first symptoms.
Respiratory conditions and rib pain
Some respiratory diseases are capable of causing a specific type of pain called pleuritic pain, which can be confused with rib pain. Pleuritic pain appears at the base of the affected hemithorax, is perceived as a stitch, and increases with breathing and coughing. Also, pain is relieved by lying on the contralateral side.
The pain appears in most cases in which the pleura is involved in a specific pathology. The pleura is a layer of tissue that covers the lung, protecting it from damage. In this sense, pleural pain can appear in the following diseases:
- pneumonia
- pleuritis
- mild pleural effusion
- empyemas
- pulmonary embolism
- lung cancer
To clear up doubts, it is best to go to a doctor.
The reality becomes evident only when the affected person goes to the doctor and they perform palpation and an x-ray. To take it more into account, it is worth knowing the most common symptoms:
- Observe a bulge in the abdomen or waist.
- A muscular tightness in the chest, which becomes more intense when we breathe.
- Severe pain when we touch that specific area.
- Shortness of breath when we try to breathe more deeply.
As you can see, the symptoms associated with pain in the ribs vary greatly. Therefore, we must go to the doctor in case of any discomfort. The best way to treat this ailment is to rest and take anti-inflammatories.