Other symptoms
Pain in the ribs generally manifests itself as chest pain. This pain can be either permanent (chronic) or sudden (acute). Chronic rib pain is a recurring pain that lasts longer than six months.
They can also vary in intensity. Rib pain that originates directly from the ribs is usually caused by a bruise or break. This means that the pain can be localized well and is usually felt at a certain point.
A bruise or fracture of the ribs is particularly painful when the patient inhales or coughs or when external pressure is applied to the painful area. If surrounding structures such as muscles or nerves are affected, a stabbing localized pain can usually be detected. If the rib pain originates from internal organs such as the heart, lungs or upper abdominal organs, the pain is usually dull and diffuse, i.e. it cannot be localized exactly.
In general, rib pain is often accompanied by a feeling of anxiety or tightness, which is particularly noticeable when breathing in. However, even in the case of a severe cold, a constant cough can cause sore muscles in the chest area. This can also cause pain during coughing.
Pain in the ribs can be accompanied by back pain. Rib pain can be caused by back problems, for example, if a rib-vertebral joint is dislocated. Other possible causes in the back area are acute illnesses such as a herniated disc, malformations, for example scoliosis, and muscular causes.
Muscle strains in the back can cause both back and rib pain. A pulled muscle is a common clinical picture, typically caused by overloading during sports. In the case of rib and back pain, a visit to an orthopedic surgeon is recommended in order to find the right diagnosis.
Occasionally, rib pain can occur together with shortness of breath. A possible cause for the occurrence of both complaints is the so-called Tietze syndrome – a chondropathy of the rib cartilage at the base of the sternum. In this disease of unknown cause, sufferers suffer from a severe pressure painful swelling in the area of the front thorax.
The rib pain comes suddenly, can radiate into the arms and cause breathing difficulties. Another possible cause for the occurrence of rib pain and shortness of breath is pleurisy. Severe pleurisy causes a pronounced accumulation of fluid in the chest, which can even lead to shortness of breath.
Respiratory distress is a serious symptom that requires clarification. Tension is typically caused by overloading the muscles.Many different muscle groups have their attachment wholly or partially at the ribs. These include the chest and back muscles, but also the abdominal muscles are attached to the ribs.
Incorrect strain or incorrect posture can cause these muscles to tense and shorten, resulting in a permanent pull on the attachment point at the ribs. This pull can cause pain in the area of the affected rib, but it can also radiate into the course of the muscle, making it difficult to locate it precisely. Other possible causes include blockages in the spine or rib joints, overloading of the muscles during sports and poor posture.
Tension in the rib and back muscles can cause severe rib pain, which usually gets worse when breathing in and out, coughing and pressing. If you are more interested in this topic, left-sided rib pain in particular can be accompanied by stomach pain. The symptoms can be an indication of stomach disease, pancreatic disease or a heart attack, as a heart attack is not always accompanied by the typical symptoms. In women in particular, a heart problem can manifest itself with pain in the upper abdomen. If stomach pain and pain in the ribs occur together, you should consult your doctor to find and treat the cause.