Some people complain that they hurt their ribs when pressed, which can be triggered by various injuries or illnesses. Usually people do not attach much importance to such a state, which is a very big mistake.
It is possible to determine the main cause of the formation of discomfort by the localization of pain. In case of recurring pain, it is very important to visit a doctor and conduct a diagnosis and treatment.
The main causes of pain
There are many different reasons why the ribs hurt when pressed, among which you need to highlight such as:
- injuries
- rib fracture;
- crack in the rib;
- diseases of the stomach and pancreas;
- liver and gall bladder diseases;
- inflammation of the cartilage and muscle tissue;
- lung diseases.
In addition, painful manifestations can be triggered simply by an uncomfortable position during sleep or work. Before treatment, it is necessary to determine why the ribs hurt when pressed, since in each case the treatment methods are somewhat different.
Pain on the right or left
If the lower ribs hurt when pressed, then this can be triggered by diseases such as:
- pleurisy;
- Titz syndrome;
- rib osteosarcoma;
- fibromyalgia.
Tietze syndrome is a rare pathology characterized by the occurrence of inflammation of the right or left costal cartilage. The main manifestation of the pathology is pain, which is greatly enhanced by inhalation. Patients note the presence of acute or increasing pain over time. Basically, the localization of discomfort is observed on the one hand. The disease is characterized by alternation of the acute stage and remission.
If the ribs hurt when pressed, then this may be a sign of fibromyalgia. This is a lesion of the soft tissues outside the joints, which is characterized by the presence of pain in the muscles and bones. Affected areas are particularly sensitive to pressure and palpation. The main sign of the course of the disease is pain in the muscles and bones, spreading to different parts of the body on both sides.
In this case, often there is some stiffness of the body in the morning, swelling of the legs and hands, increased fatigue, as well as tingling and numbness. All these signs can progress in the event of a change in weather, stress, fatigue. With the course of this disease, a person may experience various kinds of mental disorders, which manifest themselves in the form of a deterioration in mood or in depressive states.
Another violation in which the ribs hurt when pressed is osteosarcoma. This is a malignant neoplasm that originates from bone tissue. The tumor is growing rapidly, which leads to the formation of metastases in the initial stages of the disease. Among the main signs of the presence of the disease can be identified such as:
- minor pain in the sternum;
- swelling in the sternum;
- limitation of the mobility of the ribs during breathing.
At the initial stages of the development of the disease, the symptoms are not too pronounced, but it progresses very quickly.
Another cause of pain is pleurisy. This is an inflammation of the membrane covering the surface of the inside of the sternum. The disease mainly affects only one part of the sternum, but there may be a bilateral lesion.
Pain on the left
If it hurts under the left rib when pressed, this may be a sign of the course of diseases such as:
- duodenal disease;
- pancreatitis
- stomach ulcer.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, the signs of which are:
- soreness in the abdomen;
- intoxication of the body;
- porridge-like feces with undigested food particles.
If it hurts under the ribs when pressed, this may be a sign of duodenal disease. In particular, it can be acute duodenitis, which is manifested by such signs as:
- pain in the stomach, radiating to the lower rib;
- nausea;
- intestinal disorders;
- severe weakness.
Another dangerous and common disease is a stomach ulcer, in which the mucous membrane is covered with ulcers. It gives the patient significant discomfort. Basically, the pathology develops against a background of erosion and gastritis.
Pain on the right
If it hurts under the right rib when pressed, then this may be a sign of diseases such as hepatitis or gallstone disease. Gallstone disease is characterized by the formation of stones in the gallbladder and its ducts, which provokes pain on the right under the rib. It occurs in violation of metabolic processes. For a long time, the pathology is asymptomatic and is diagnosed completely by accident during radiography.
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver that leads to the destruction of liver cells and has quite pronounced symptoms even at the initial stage, in particular, such as:
- soreness and heaviness in the right side;
- fatigue and weakness;
- nausea;
- loss of appetite.
If all these signs occur, you need to visit a doctor, since with the aggravation of the pathological process, various kinds of complications can occur.
Injuries and diseases of the spine
If the ribs hurt when pressed from the front or from the side, then this can be a sign of problems such as:
- crack in the rib;
- fracture;
- chest trauma;
- osteoporosis;
- ostechondrosis.
A crack in the rib is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the bone or its partial fracture, in which bone fragments do not move. A crack can form as a result of an injury or in the presence of certain abnormalities in the body. Among the main signs of injury can be identified such as:
- excruciating pain in the area of injury;
- dyspnea;
- increased anxiety;
- migraine;
- fatigue, dizziness;
- blueing and swelling of the soft tissues.
It is worth noting that the pain significantly increases with inhalation or coughing and worsens during exhalation. That is why a person complains that it is very difficult for him to breathe deeply. In addition, the presence of severe swelling in the affected area and subcutaneous hemorrhage can be noted.
When a rib fracture occurs, damage occurs not only to bone tissue, but also to some internal organs. Among the main symptoms of the presence of a fracture, the following can be distinguished:
- sharp pain in the affected area;
- soreness when breathing;
- pallor of the skin;
- aching sternum pain;
- labored breathing;
- severe weakness;
- dyspnea;
- temperature rise;
- cyanosis of the skin.
A chest injury can be quite dangerous for human health and life, therefore, if it is available, urgent care is necessary. With an open injury, a person has wounds, which can be from piercing objects, firearms. Injuries include:
- tremors, in which there is no change in the sternum;
- bruises of soft tissues and internal organs;
- squeezing of the chest.
There are several fairly pronounced signs of closed injuries, among which it is necessary to highlight such as:
- acute chest pain;
- blue skin;
- swelling in the affected area;
- difficulty breathing
- dyspnea;
- an increase in the size of the abdomen.
If all these signs occur, you need to visit a doctor for an x-ray, which will allow you to choose the right method of treatment.
Painful manifestations can also provoke osteochondrosis. This is a degenerative lesion of the spine, provoked by squeezing, inflammation and irritation of the nerve endings. Basically, the disease manifests itself in the form of pain in the back, but soreness in the ribs and sternum can also be observed.
Another cause of pain is osteoporosis. This disease is characterized by a decrease in the level of calcium in the bones and its subsequent destruction. When this pathology occurs, the right rib hurts when pressed, but pain can also be observed on the left side. This indicates the presence of microscopic cracks, as well as a change in the structure of bone tissue. Together with the bone tissue process, there is a general depletion of the body and a deterioration in well-being.
Pain in a child
If the left rib hurts when pressed in a child 4-9 years old, then this may be a sign of intestinal inversion in the lower section. A similar disorder is diagnosed mainly in overweight children. Pathology is characterized by the fact that one intestinal tube enters the lumen of another. In this case, the child has characteristic symptoms, namely:
- the child becomes restless;
- tightens legs and cries;
- after the cessation of the attack, the baby begins vomiting.
The stool of the child is initially normal, but after a while blood impurities may appear in the feces. In addition, if there is pain in the rib when pressed, then this may be a sign of trauma in the child. If even the slightest discomfort occurs, you need to visit a doctor to get rid of the disease and prevent the development of complications.
Pain during pregnancy
If pain is felt in the ribs during pregnancy, then this can be triggered by factors such as:
- an increase in the size of the uterus;
- active fetal movements;
- fetal growth.
If you experience discomfort, you need to raise your hands up and inhale as deeply as possible. After this, you need to make a slow exhale. This helps reduce pain. During pregnancy, a woman should try to keep her back straight. In addition, it is important to wear loose clothing that will not restrict movement and crush ribs and organs.
If the child is actively pushing with his legs, then you need to relax a bit, just lie quietly on his side until he calms down.
Additional symptoms
If the right rib hurts when pressed, then you need to pay special attention to the presence of the problem and monitor the frequency of its manifestation and intensity. If you ignore the discomfort arising in this area, then this can provoke the development of various kinds of complications and dangerous pathological conditions. Mostly the ribs on the right side hurt when pressed when they are injured, diseases of the kidneys, liver, gall bladder. Often pains become simply unbearable. In addition, there are signs such as:
- heavy sweating;
- heart palpitations;
- cold limbs;
- pressure drop;
- violation of the functioning of internal organs.
The pains are mostly spastic and are characterized by a high degree of intensity of the present manifestations. With ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, the patient has pain in the right side under the rib. Basically, such diseases are accompanied by bloating.
If acute pain occurs, you must call an ambulance. It is strictly forbidden to take antispasmodics, since they somewhat dull the existing symptoms, as a result of which diagnosis can be difficult.
How to make you feel better
If the rib on the left side hurts when pressed, this may indicate the presence of various dangerous diseases or injuries. If there are painful manifestations that may indicate the presence of fractures, cracks or injury to the sternum, bed rest should be observed before the doctor arrives. This must be done in order to prevent possible negative consequences and complications that often lead to the death of the patient.
To make you feel better, you need to do breathing exercises. Must take deep breaths. In some cases, the pain may increase somewhat, but you should try to make a very slow exhale if possible. If the injury is very strong and provokes the emergence of intolerable pains, then you should try to do such gymnastics at least 1 time per hour.
Regardless of the cause that provoked pain in the ribs, you should definitely consult a therapist. He will be able to determine the choice of a narrow specialist who will help diagnose the main cause of the pain and prescribe the required treatment.
Diagnostics
If the rib hurts when pressed left or right, then it is imperative to conduct a diagnosis to determine the cause of the pathology. To get rid of soreness, you need to seek help from a traumatologist, general practitioner or neurologist. Then you need to undergo a comprehensive examination.
Since pain can be triggered by various diseases and pathological conditions, it is imperative to undergo examination and pass tests. Initially, the doctor conducts a survey and a visual examination of the patient, and then prescribes an instrumental examination to suggest his suspicions. In particular, the use of such diagnostic methods as:
- blood analysis;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- X-ray
- tomography;
- scintigraphy;
- biopsy.
Basically, with Titz syndrome, the doctor prescribes only blood tests, as well as ultrasound. The diagnosis is made on the basis of available signs. In some cases, a tomography is prescribed, which allows you to confirm the diagnosis, as well as check the bone for malignant neoplasms.
In case of suspicion of the presence of a tumor or metastasis in the ribs, an additional coagulogram and chest x-ray may be prescribed. If the x-ray results are uncertain, then the doctor may order a tomography or scintigraphy for a more detailed and layered image of the ribs.
Treatment features
If the left rib hurts when pressed, then this can be a sign of serious illness or injury. If acute and sharp pain occurs, you must call an ambulance. To eliminate discomfort, apply ice wrapped in tissue to the affected area. In order not to distort the results of the examination, it is forbidden to take painkillers before the doctor arrives.
After the examination, the doctor may prescribe an antispasmodic drug to eliminate pain. Mostly used "No-Shpa" or "Nitroglycerin." Treatment is selected strictly individually, depending on what exactly provoked the pain. In particular, therapy is carried out with the help of medications, physiotherapeutic techniques and folk remedies. In especially severe cases, surgery is prescribed.
To eliminate the pain in the side, provoked by diseases of the gallbladder, you need to boil the potatoes in the peel, crush it in water, let it stand for several minutes, and then take the broth several times a day.
In diseases of the liver and spleen, you need to take a rosehip broth daily. Also a good remedy is a mixture of honey with ground cinnamon. It is worth noting that soreness can occur for a variety of reasons, therefore it is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication.