bruised rib?

How to recognize the bruise - and which home remedies work

Created: 09/14/2022, 21:22

A severe chest pain may be due to a bruised rib.

© Imago

Chest pain and difficulty breathing may indicate a bruised rib.

There are a number of treatment methods to help you get fit again quickly.

One time you weren't careful and it happened!

Almost everyone has suffered a bruised rib at some point.

It does not always have to be preceded by an accident or a particularly intensive sports session.

In some cases, even a severe cough can lead to a bruised rib.

Usually, however, blunt force trauma — such as a fall or a blow — is the trigger for the injury.

The most obvious sign of a bruised rib is severe pain in the chest area that gets worse with pressure or certain movements.

Sneezing, laughing and sometimes even simply breathing in and out become uncomfortable as a result.

As a result, many people become short of breath or adopt a relieving posture, which can lead to further symptoms over a longer period of time.

Fortunately, a bruised rib is harmless in most cases and, depending on the severity, heals on its own over the course of a few weeks. However, the healing process can often be shortened with the help of pain-relieving medication or well-known home remedies.

Causes and Risks: What is a Bruised Rib?

A bruised rib is extremely painful.

Unfortunately, this injury can happen faster than you think.

Athletes in particular are at particular risk.

In most cases, the trigger for a bruised rib is a blunt force impact on the chest.

This can happen, for example, if you fall, but also if you get hit or hit by a ball or other object on the chest area.

Even after accidents, people often suffer from a bruised rib and even a particularly strong cough can trigger the injury.

The force compresses the tissue around the ribs, which in turn exerts strong pressure on the extremely pain-sensitive periosteum.

The injury, known in medicine as a rib contusion, can have different degrees of severity: the more ribs that are affected, the more painful it usually is.

The good news, however, is that a simple bruised rib does not pose any long-term risks and usually heals on its own.

However, if there is a suspicion that internal organs are also affected by the bruise or there is even a broken rib, a doctor must be consulted immediately.

Signs and Symptoms: What is a Bruised Rib?

As far as the symptoms are concerned, there is unfortunately nothing to gloss over: A bruised rib usually hurts like hell - and sometimes even for days or weeks.

The clearest sign of a bruised rib is severe chest pain.

This can affect only a small area of ​​the upper body or extend over several costal arches.

Certain movements when sneezing, coughing or laughing are usually particularly uncomfortable.

Even simply inhaling and exhaling can be painful above average, which is why the so-called gentle breathing, also known as shortness of breath, is another indication of a bruised rib.

Some people also experience swelling in the area of ​​the injury or develop a hematoma, also known as a bruise, although a bruised rib can exist without these noticeable symptoms.

As soon as the healing takes place over a longer period of time, secondary complaints often appear.

The relieving posture that the patient takes over the long term can cause back problems or muscle tension.

Medication and home remedies: What to do if you have a bruised rib?

Fortunately, in most cases, a bruised rib will heal on its own.

Immediately after the injury, however, you should definitely stick to the so-called LUCKY scheme: break, ice, compression and high camp.

First of all, it is important to interrupt every activity and allow the body to rest.

The bleeding in the tissue is stopped by cooling and supporting bandages.

At best, you lie on the floor with a pillow under your upper body to promote blood circulation.

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If these immediate measures are taken, the course of the injury can already be influenced.

As a result, the main concern is to alleviate the symptoms.

Painkillers in the form of tablets or creams are often the most effective, although not everyone likes to use pharmaceutical products.

In this case, there are also some home remedies that support the healing process of a bruised rib.

Cold curd compresses or arnica poultices, for example, have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.