Rib pain symptoms can be caused by a number of possible diseases and disorders – not just rib injuries like cracked ribs or broken ribs.
The goal of this article is to give you a list of some of the more common problems in the human body that cause rib pain symptoms.. Even if you see information here that gives you reason to suspect you have one of the conditions described, you should still consult your health care provider to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis.
Bone, joint and soft tissue problems are certainly among the most common causes of rib pain symptoms.
Rib injuries result more rib pain than any other cause. Such trauma is usually fairly easy to diagnose. When you have this type of rib pain, you usually know where it came from – a blow or impact during athletic competition or possibly an auto accident. Fractured ribs are usually easy to diagnose with X-rays or MRI technology.
Perhaps the most identifiable symptom of a fractured rib (besides intense pain) is breathing difficulty. It hurts simply to draw breath.
Sometimes injuries to the soft tissues surrounding the ribs can cause rib pain symptoms, even though the ribs themselves are not damaged. The ribcage is criss-crossed by a network of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Dame to any of these can feel like pain in the ribs. Sometimes, these soft tissue injuries are sore or tender to the touch, and discomfort drawing a deep breath may occur.
Rib pain can also be a symptom of a number of diseases and conditions related to the bones and joints. This list includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
Several lesser known physical conditions also feature rib pain symptoms.
A condition called osteochondritis dissecans occurs when there’s a reduced blood supply in areas where your ribs connect to your breastbone or your backbone. Osteochondritis dissecans is more likely to happen to young adults and teenagers, especially those who are active in athletics.
A similar condition is known as costochondritis. Costochondritis occurs when there’s inflammation in the cartilage that connects the sternum to the ribs. Typically, rib pain from costochondritis occurs after a blow or some kind of trauma. It can alse be the result of repetitive use, or from trying to lift, push or pull something that’s too heavy.
Sometimes problems that originate with the spinal column can cause rib pain symptoms. Doctors call this “referred pain” because the discomfort isn’t actually cased by a problem in the place where you feel it. It travels along nerve pathways from somewhere else. Typically, referred pain is caused by nerve damage to a disc or some part of the spinal column.
Several illnesses and diseases involving the respiratory system and the lungs can contribute to rib pain.
Pneumonia – This dangerous lung illness results from an infection caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites..
Pleurisy – There’s a membrane between the lungs and ribs made up of two layers of tissue that are separated by a small amount of fluid. This membrane is known as the pleura. When you have pleurisy, this membrane becomes inflamed, causing extreme discomfort around the ribcage along with difficulty breathing.
Tuberculosis – Tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by a type of bacteria that infects the lungs. One of its many symptoms is rib pain.
Chest pain from heart disease, or angina – Chest pain is a well-known symptom of heart trouble. Heart problems can also feel like dull rib pain.
Workers who have been exposed to asbestos for years sometimes contract asbestosis or mesothelioma. Both these are lung diseases which are characterized by rib pain symptoms.
Lymphoma, myeloma and certain other types of cancer may also cause rib pain symptoms.
Whooping cough – This is a violent cough that can cause the ribs to become sore and painful.
One of the first symptoms of the disease known as shingles is rib pain.
Individuals who have occasional panic attacks are sometimes affected by rib pain. Rapid, deep breathing caused by anxiety can pull and strain muscles around the ribcage, which results in discomfort. Such episodes can also lead to serious heart problems and even heart attacks.
Click on the meaning of rib pain symptoms and an explanation of rib pain causes for more. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV news anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He is a frequent contributor to Coping With Rib Pain
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