You should be concerned about rib pain if you are having shortness of breath that is getting worse and rib pain that's getting worse, the chest pain is getting worse, you have pain in your tummy or shoulder or you're coughing up blood.
The causes of pain around the ribcage include inflammation of the cartilage near your breastbone also known as costochondritis or a bruised, fractured or cracked rib.
Having rib pain makes it hard for you to take a deep breath, twist your body or put pressure on your chest.
A range of conditions can cause pain around the ribcage or sore ribs which can include a pulled muscle, bruised or broken rib, or even acid reflux.
Broken ribs are quite common and can take six weeks to six months to heal.
Some causes of rib pain that is not a result of injury include costochondritis, infection, lung cancer, fibromyalgia, and pulmonary embolism.
With any rib cage pain, if you can't breathe, your skin turns blue or you have severe chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.
If the specific area of discomfort can be located, such as between the ribs, this indicates the pain is not coming from the lungs or the upper back.
Some people will often describe lung pain as sharp and spreading outward.
With a rib fracture, the pain is usually much more severe than that of intercostal muscle strain.
In some cases pancreatitis may cause pain under the right rib cage in the middle of the abdomen, in the RUQ, or in the left upper quadrant (LUQ).
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.
It may result from gallstones or overuse of alcohol.
The red flags for rib pain are having shortness of breath that is getting worse or rib pain that's getting worse, the chest pain is getting worse, you have pain in your tummy or shoulder or you're coughing up blood.
To relieve rib pain you can use a cold compress, such as applying ice, to reduce swelling.
Taking hot baths may also help alleviate rib pain.
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medication if the pain does not subside.
Or your doctor may suggest using compression wraps worn around the waist at home to reduce rib pain.