With pain in the ribs, there can be many reasons for this condition. A visit to the doctor for pain in the ribs should not be postponed.
Causes of Rib Pain
Intercostal neuralgia
This disease is talked about when compression or irritation of the nerve roots of the intercostal nerves occurs. The described situation is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome. The pain in the ribs with such a pathology is quite severe and acute. It can last several days. A characteristic feature of intercostal neuralgia is that the pain becomes stronger on inhalation or when a person abruptly changes the position of the body.
Rib fracture
With a fracture of the ribs, there is a violation of the integrity of the bone or cartilage. This phenomenon often accompanies bumps, bruises and other traumatic situations. The fracture of the ribs, as a rule, grows together independently. However, if you suspect a similar pathology, it is important to visit a doctor. Very often, a broken bone injures other organs, for example, the lungs, which can lead to serious consequences.
Respiratory diseases
It is important to know that rib pain can be a symptom of pneumonia. If it is accompanied by fever, cough, pallor of the skin and severe weakness, you should immediately seek medical help. Also, pain in the area of the ribs may indicate pleurisy or bronchitis.
Spinal diseases
Pain in the ribs can signal osteochondrosis. In this case, it is constant and it is accompanied by a feeling of tension in the muscles of the back. Also, pain in the ribs sometimes indicates a diaphragmatic hernia. With a similar diagnosis, the pain is sharp, shooting, often gives in the hand.
Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract
If pain in the ribs is combined with vomiting, nausea, upset stools, then it’s quite possible that a person has pancreatitis. This is an acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when you overeat or eat too fatty and heavy foods.
Pain in the anterior part of the hypochondrium can also indicate a stomach ulcer, gastritis. If it is localized on the right, then with high probability we can talk about diseases of the gallbladder or liver.
Interesting fact: to relieve pain with a stomach ulcer, you just need to squat. Discomfort also goes away when a person lies face down.
Heart attack and other diseases of the cardiovascular system
If the pain in the ribs appears on the left side of the body, it is possible that it is associated with heart disease. Most often, we are talking about a heart attack, angina pectoris and other pathologies. It is characteristic of heart pain that it occurs at rest. Very often, pain is combined with shortness of breath, tachycardia, general weakness.
Titz syndrome
In Titz syndrome, non-bacterial inflammation of the costal cartilage develops in the area where they connect to the sternum. As in the case of neuralgia, the pain intensifies when sneezing, coughing, taking a deep breath.In addition, there is a swelling and redness of the skin in the affected area. On palpation in the area of the ribs, the pain is often worse.
Interesting fact: Scientists still have not figured out the causes that cause Titz syndrome. Therefore, to date, there are no preventive measures that would help to avoid the development of the disease.
Rib pain during pregnancy
Rib pain is a typical complaint of women who are in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The fact is that at the indicated time the fetus inside the uterus is actively growing. As a result of this, a partial displacement of the organs and their constriction occurs, which may cause discomfort.
Pain in the ribs can indicate both a temporary malaise and serious pathologies. That is why when discomfort occurs, it is very important to consult a doctor. Only a qualified therapist can determine the source of pain and its cause. He directs the patient to a highly specialized doctor who will prescribe the necessary diagnostic procedures and conduct adequate treatment.
