I've had a common cold for the last two weeks.. last saturday 1/13/2007 I woke up and my ribs on my right hurt.. It hurts when I cough, laugh. I don't know if its' something serious.. people have told me that from coughing I've hurt myself... Is this true.. Any help greatly appreciated.. I don't know what to do.. And I'm not a fan of the doctor.. i hate going there and won't go unless absolutely necessary. Please help... thanks alot
2007-01-18 08:22:24 · 5 answers · asked by hondagurl_92 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Sounds like it is pluracy (not sure I spelled it right). It happens after a cold. The lining of your lungs swell just enough to rub on your muscles around your rib cage. It is not serious and can go away by taking antibiotics. You can check it out at mayoclinic.com. Good luck and go to the doctor!
2007-01-18 08:28:18 · answer #1 · answered by Kitt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem depends on what parts are hurting and the nature of the pain. If the pain is in the rib muscles, no big deal - they commonly get overused with a cough and the overuse causes aching.
If there is a sharp pain in the ribs or cartilage, you may have have strained ligaments connecting the sternum to the ribs - this clears up in a few days to a few weeks. Alleve or ibuprofen releive the pain.
If the pain is internal, it could be a couple of things. Internal pain can be caused by pleurisy(inflammation of the chest cavity lining), pneumonia, or bronchitis. The inflammation caused by pleurisy is treated with ibuprofen, alleve, or sometimes with a steroid if it doesn't improve after the cold is gone. Pleurisy usually occurs on one side of the body, and the pain is the worst when you inhale. The pain may also be felt in the ribs, back or abdomen, because these are the closest nerves.
Bronchitis is ruled out because it only occurs in the center of the body.
Pneumonia is a often begins with pain on one side of the chest. Pneumonia symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and abnormally fast breathing.
If you think the problem could be pleurisy or pneumonia, you should definitely see doctor - either one can lead to bigger problems. The other causes will likely heal on their own.
2007-01-18 08:55:05 · answer #2 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suck it up and go to the doctor. You don't know what's wrong any better than anyone online does. Sorry!
2007-01-18 08:38:34 · answer #3 · answered by Coleen429 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
looks like someone was in a fight.
go to the doctor
2007-01-18 08:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it absolutely necessary that you go to the doc tor , sounds like PNEUMONIA to me.
2007-01-18 08:28:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋