I have had a severe cold & cough for 3 weeks.My left rib has been sore but today while out at a restaurant my left rib had a deep cough and, "crack" shotting pain... I can breathe deep but cann't cough satifactory tooo pain full!Can cartilage expand?
2007-02-03 14:17:13 · 6 answers · asked by Diane A 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
If your cold has lasted this long and your chest is getting painful, it may be turning into pneumonia. Pain is your body's way of telling you there's something wrong. I think you should see a doctor.
2007-02-03 14:22:34 · answer #1 · answered by Give life. Be an organ donor! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that would be your muscles that are painful, not your ribs themselves. It should go away in a few days, provided you can quit coughing. Take a cough medicine and a benedryl (first read both labels to make sure you are not double-dosing anything). . . . Also, 3 weeks is a long time to have a cough. REALLY, you should see a doctor and get a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia.
2007-02-03 14:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by bibliophile31 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have pleurisy, chest wall myalgia (inflamation), or you may have actually fractured a rib. I had the same thing about 4 years ago. I coughed so hard I fractured 2 ribs! I had that same crunching feeling after a bad coughing spell. You should see a doctor asap. My illness was caused by what was finally diagnosed after about 3 months as bronchial asthma. I was put on bed rest for about 2 weeks by my doctor. Good luck and get better!
2007-02-03 14:29:32 · answer #3 · answered by Mrs. Strain 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll go with Mrs. Strain. I've had broken ribs, and you really can't do much except let time pass. It sounds more like pleurisy because of the shooting pain. My pleurisy pain was lower and in front. You can hear pleurisy with a stethoscope. Xrays show broke ribs, and there's usually a fever with pneumonia.
2007-02-03 15:11:14 · answer #4 · answered by lyyman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take extra coated aspirin. Drink 1-2 quart pineapple juice a day with 1/3 water, steamed onions, HEPA air purifier, optimal temperature/humidity. But if rough coughs and pain dont stop in few days, then ask doctor to take X-ray immediately. Good luck.
2007-02-04 13:36:31 · answer #5 · answered by toodd n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to separate some muscle from your chest wall. With some rest and making sure that you don't strain the area. You should feel better in a few days.
2007-02-03 14:26:18 · answer #6 · answered by rene197320 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ribs are made out of bone so no it doesn't expand. it happens. you probaly have built up mucus in side that you need to start to spitting out into the toilet every once in a while. if it continues for much longer you should see a doctor
2007-02-03 14:21:24 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Rayyhol♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could have a pulled muscle there. Use a moist heat and ibuprofen.
If it doesn't get better in a couple days - better see doc and make sure you do not have pleurisy or pneumonia.
2007-02-03 14:21:23 · answer #8 · answered by QueenBee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋