Rib Injuries Can Be Restored By Yourself, So You Don't Need To Worry

Dropping or getting hit in the chest area can cause the ribs to bruise, crack, or break. Not only that, prolonged cough can also cause rib injury in people suffering from osteoporosis or cancer in the ribs. But no need to worry, rib injuries can heal by itself provided the treatment is right. Ribs are an important part of the body that plays a role in protecting the chest cavity and its vital organs, the heart and lungs. When you experience a fractured or broken rib, you will feel very painful. One sign of rib injury is bruising and swelling around the injured rib. But with good care, the pain in these ribs will slowly improve after three weeks to 1.5 months. This is because the ribs are able to restore their structure naturally. The recovery process of rib injury depends on the severity of the injury and the health condition of the sufferer.

Rib Injury Recovery

In most cases, rib injuries can be treated with care at home. The following ways you can take care of an injured rib:

• Chest compresses

To reduce swelling and pain, compress the chest regularly. Use ice cubes or frozen food wrapped in a towel and stick it in the chest area. Compress the painful part for 20 minutes every hour for the first two days. Then compress for 10-20 minutes three times a day as needed.

• Taking pain medication

You can take painkillers such as paracetamol, if the pain is relatively mild. Pay attention to the use of drugs according to instructions on the packaging and doctor's advice. For severe pain, injection pain medication is usually required, which must be obtained from a doctor.

• Breathing exercises

When the ribcage has a problem, you will feel pain when you take a deep breath, so you tend to take slow, shallow breaths. Actually, you are advised to keep breathing normally. How to breathe like this aims to prevent pneumonia (lung infection) and help remove mucus from the lungs. Generally breathing exercises after a rib injury can only begin if the pain has subsided and you can breathe comfortably without pain. As a form of breathing exercise, you can take a deep breath, let the lungs develop fully, then exhale slowly. Do it 10 times every two hours, then continue with light coughing exercises every two hours.

• Not covering the problematic ribs

Bruised, cracked, or broken ribs should not be covered with elastic bandages wrapped around the chest area. Pressure due to bandages on the upper body can inhibit the smooth breathing and increase the risk of pneumonia.

• Increase rest time

If your work requires a lot of physical movement, it is recommended that you take time off. Similarly, if your rib injury is severe and feels very painful.

• Don't lie too long

Avoid lying too long or staying in the same position for long periods. You are also advised to sleep in the head position slightly higher after a rib injury. In the first few days, you are advised to keep walking at home and have mild physical activity to help expel phlegm and mucus from the respiratory tract.

• Use a pillow if you cough

If you want to cough, hug a pillow to keep the chest from shaking. You can also use a thick blanket to help. This method is recommended when coughing exercises.

For the time being, you are not advised to drive a vehicle, carry, or lift heavy loads until conditions improve. Also avoid pushing too strong, smoking, and consuming alcoholic drinks. Look for ways to treat bruised, cracked or broken ribs, as recommended by your doctor. Do not let you neglect, because it can make things worse and make the recovery process take longer. See your doctor immediately if you have a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain that is getting worse, coughing up blood, coughing with yellow or green mucus, and feeling pain in the abdomen or shoulders. You are also advised to visit a doctor if the pain does not improve within a few weeks with the various treatments mentioned above.