If you have a bad cough and a feeling severe pain in your ribs, then you may have got cracked rib from coughing.

Many people complain about rib pain during coughing and even after getting rid of the cough. This pain is sometimes so severe that a person is unable to bear it and has to go for medical help. Coughing very hard may cause damage to the ribs. It can fracture them and can cause immense pain. This can be seen in people who have weak bones. This article focuses on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a cracked rib from coughing.

Causes

• Weak bones can be a major reason behind this condition. People suffering from osteoporosis have weak and fragile bones, which are more susceptible to fractures.
• Older people are more susceptible to fractures than young people, as the density of bones decreases with the increasing age.
• Cancer can also be a reason behind this disorder. If there is a growth of cancerous cells in that area, then it may result in this ailment.
• The last reason may be severe cough, which may cause this kind of situation even in a healthy person.

Symptoms

Symptoms can be observed even after you get rid of the cough. Following are some of the prominent symptoms:

• Severe pain in the ribs is the most commonly observed sign. If not taken care of in time, it may get even more severe and may puncture your lungs.
• The person may experience elevated pain during coughing, laughing, or sneezing.
• Difficulty and pain while breathing can be observed, which may further cause many other problems, like fatigue, dizziness, headache, restlessness, etc.
• Pain occurs while doing any upper body movement.

Treatment

It takes time for this condition to heal completely. There are many treatments available, but the natural way to cure it is to take proper and complete rest. Following are some of the treatment options:

• Bandaging is one of the most common and old forms of treatment. For such bandaging, special medical tapes are used. Try to get it done from a medical professional. Do not tie it all around the chest, as it may cause breathing problems.
• Pain can be reduced with the help of pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen.
• Complete rest can give you a lot of relief. Restrict your movement and try to relax completely. This will help the bones to heal naturally and quickly. If you are experiencing pain while lying down, then sit in a recliner chair.
• Hot or cold packs can be very helpful in relieving pain. Make sure you do it every hour, and do not exceed the treatment for more than 15 minutes each time.
• Coughing may be painful in such conditions, but it's necessary to get rid of the cough. Not doing so will result in the accumulation of phlegm in the lungs, which can cause pneumonia and elevate the condition further.

So, if you observe severe pain in the chest, do consult a doctor immediately. There may be numerous causes behind this condition, hence it's important to get it cured as soon as possible. Take proper rest and follow the instructions given by your doctor.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.