The pain of coughing
Coughing is a reflex-like forced exhalation, for example to remove foreign bodies from the airways. In order to be able to implement rapid exhalation, many muscles of the thorax are tensed, exerting great tension on the ribs. If there are already bone or muscle complaints, coughing is a very painful, stabbing process.
Patients who have had surgery on the ribcage where the sternum or ribs have been severed must learn new coughing techniques during the healing phase. By applying targeted pressure to the chest during coughing, the tensile load can be partially relieved. Inflammation of the airways and lungs can cause pain under the ribs in several ways.
If the lung skin is involved in the inflammation, every breathing movement is painful. Frequent coughing can also overstrain the respiratory muscles of the ribs, making coughing a doubly painful process. In such cases, so-called “antitussive” drugs, such as codeine, can relieve the symptoms.
The pain of sitting
Pain under the ribs can often be triggered or aggravated while sitting. On the one hand, this is due to the displacement of the abdominal organs when sitting, and on the other hand, muscles that are important for standing are neglected in long, monotonous sitting.When sitting for long periods of time, the muscles of the thoracic spine and shoulders often slacken, causing the upper body to collapse slightly. Movement-related pain in the ribs also increases.
Breathing is also made more difficult by the collapse of the shoulders. This in turn makes already existing breath-dependent complaints more difficult. Pain under the ribs, which worsens when sitting, is frequently observed, especially in pregnant women.
Often harmless causes are behind it. Due to the large uterus and the increased pressure in the abdominal cavity, the pressure on the peritoneum, diaphragm, chest and ribs also increases from the inside. Especially when sitting, the abdominal organs shift additionally and the pressure increases. Even in non-pregnant women, parts of the intestines can press on the ribs and diaphragm while sitting and cause pain under the ribs.
