Why Does My Ribcage Hurt When I Cough? Understanding Common Causes

Understanding Ribcage Pain When Coughing

Feeling pain in your ribcage when you cough can be alarming. However, in most cases, it is not a cause for serious concern. Coughing exerts pressure on the muscles and bones surrounding your lungs. If you have inflammation or injury in those areas, it can lead to ribcage soreness and pain.

What Causes Rib Pain When Coughing?

There are a few potential causes of rib pain when you cough:

• Pulled muscle
• Strained intercostal muscle
• Bruised ribs
• Costochondritis

Let's explore these in more detail.

Pulled Muscles

Coughing engages many muscles surrounding your ribs. If you cough forcefully or violently, you can pull muscles that support your upper body and ribs. This leads to inflammation, soreness, and ribcage discomfort when coughing or moving.

Strained Intercostal Muscles

The intercostal muscles are several groups of muscles between your ribs. Coughing forcefully can overstretch and strain these muscles. This also leads to ribcage pain when coughing.

Bruised Ribs

Another cause of ribcage pain is bruised ribs. Intense coughing can actually lead to small cracks and bruising in rib bones. Any pressure or impact to that area then results in pain and tenderness.

Costochondritis

Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects ribs to the breastbone. Infection, injury, arthritis, or intense coughing can trigger it. Costochondritis causes severe rib pain when coughing or even breathing deeply.

When to See a Doctor

Mild rib discomfort with coughing usually resolves with rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. However, see your doctor if you experience:

• Very severe or sharp pain
• Pain that lasts longer than a week
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever, chills or other flu-like symptoms

These may indicate a more serious health condition requiring medical treatment.

Seeking a Diagnosis

To diagnose the cause of rib pain when coughing, your doctor will:

• Ask about your symptoms and medical history
• Conduct a physical exam of your ribs and chest
• Order imaging tests like x-rays or CT scans
• Do lung function tests

This helps them pinpoint whether you have an infection, musculoskeletal injury, or something more serious like a pulmonary embolism or pneumonia.

Types of Treatment

Treatment options for rib pain with coughing include:

• Pain medication - Over-the-counter NSAIDs or prescribed narcotics manage pain and inflammation.
• Heat/ice packs - Applying these to rib areas decreases swelling.
• Rest - Avoid activities that engage chest and rib muscles.
• Physical therapy - Gentle stretches and exercises strengthen ribs.
• Breathing devices - Tools like incentive spirometers open airways.
• Surgery - If there is serious injury or structural damage, surgery may repair it.

The right approach depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Preventing Rib Pain When Coughing

You can reduce your chances of ribcage discomfort when coughing by:

• Treating underlying illnesses like lung disease or infection
• Quitting smoking to keep lungs and ribs healthy
• Improving posture to prevent strain
• Strengthening chest muscles with careful exercise
• Using proper cough etiquette like coughing into elbows

Making healthy lifestyle choices goes a long way towards preventing injured ribs from coughing.

When to Seek Emergency Care

While rib pain with coughing is rarely life-threatening, some emergency scenarios require urgent medical care, like:

• Difficulty breathing or severe chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• High fever with confusion
• Persistent dizziness or weakness

If you develop any of these serious symptoms along with rib pain when coughing, call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.

See a Doctor for Ongoing Symptoms

You should also make a non-emergency doctor's appointment if you have rib pain when coughing that:

• Lasts longer than a week
• Worsens despite home treatment
• Impacts your daily activities

A lingering cough with rib pain could signify an underlying condition needing medical treatment. Seeking prompt care prevents complications down the road.

The Takeaway

Experiencing isolated rib pain when coughing is typically not worrisome on its own. Strained muscles or costochondritis often cause these temporary symptoms.

However, severe pain lasting over a week, or accompanied by breathing issues warrants medical attention. Doctors can then diagnose and properly treat your condition.

With proper rest and care for any underlying illnesses, ribcage discomfort when coughing usually goes away on its own. But never hesitate to seek expert care if symptoms concern you.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.