Inflammatory causes
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the reactivation of varicella viruses. These viruses are responsible for chickenpox in childhood and can remain in the nerves of the spinal cord after this infection. If there is a weakening of the immune system (e.g. in old age, due to cancer, HIV, etc.
), these viruses can be reactivated and cause an inflammation of the nerve endings. This manifests itself in severe pain and usually occurs only on one half of the body. The pain is accompanied by widespread rashes and blisters, which often appear in the area of the 5th to 7th rib.
Therefore, the pain of shingles is often mistakenly perceived as rib pain. Treatment should always be given with ibuprofen for the pain and, in the case of extensive shingles, with an antiviral drug such as Aciclovir. You can read more information on this topic here: ShinglesThe pleura (pleura parietalis) and the lung fur (pleura visceralis) are thin skins and are separated by a small, fluid-filled gap.
All together are called the pleura. The pleura lines the rib cage from the inside, the lung pleura lies around the outside of the lung. These skins are mainly used for breathing and ensure that the skins slide easily against each other if, for example, the chest and lungs widen during inhalation.
Inflammation of the pleura (pleuritis) results in inflammation of these skins. Inflammation of the pleura usually occurs as a result of other diseases such as viral or bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis or even lung cancer. Since the inflamed pleura lies against the rib cage, symptoms such as fever, coughing and fatigue may be accompanied by pain in the ribs, which can be felt all over the rib cage.
The rib pain is usually intensified during breathing. The treatment of pleuritis depends on the cause. You can read more information on this topic here: pleurisyIn patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the costal joints ossify as part of their disease. This can cause breathing problems and rib pain.
