Cause

Many patients suffer from the symptoms of a broken rib. The pain that occurs when a rib is broken is greatly aggravated when coughing. The reason for this is that a large intrathoracic pressure is built up during coughing, which causes the chest to be stretched more.

The movement of the rib cage also leads to a movement of the fracture, which makes the pain even worse. In addition, the vibrations of the entire chest area during coughing additionally irritate the wound and fracture. Even normal breathing is often very uncomfortable and painful for the patient.

As a result, there is a risk that patients do not breathe in and out deeply enough to avoid pain. As a result, the deeper lung areas are not sufficiently ventilated and a good breeding ground for bacteria develops. There is therefore an increased risk of developing pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs).

This should be prevented at all costs, as it leads to an even stronger cough, which in turn causes even more pain. Therefore, many patients are instructed in hospital to do breathing exercises. Often, while in hospital, patients are shown how to breathe normally despite pain with the help of physiotherapists.

The therapy of a rib fracture caused by coughing is identical to the therapy of a rib fracture caused by other causes. However, the cause of a rib fracture due to coughing is rather unlikely compared to a rib fracture due to blunt force and is therefore usually only discovered by chance. However, a rib fracture is not as unlikely as one might initially think.

If the usual symptoms of a fracture are present, such as severe pain or crunching when breathing, a doctor should be consulted. This doctor can prevent worse consequences, prescribe painkillers and give instructions for further behavior. However, in order to avoid further rib fractures and to speed up the healing phase, a number of factors must be taken into account.

During coughing, the expulsion of air causes the mucous membranes within the lungs to collide. Injuries may occur while at the same time the lungs are irritated again, triggering a new coughing process. This can lead to a vicious circle, making a further rib fracture not unlikely. To get out of this vicious circle, try to breathe shallowly and cough as tenderly as possible. To avoid pneumonia, however, you should still breathe in and out as deeply as possible.