What are the symptoms of rib fracture?

Fractures of the ribs happen quite often.And immediately the question arises: "What are the symptoms of rib fracture?" As in the case of other fractures, the method of transportation of the injured person and the first medical aid provided are of great importance for the future patient.

Why there is a broken rib? Symptoms. How to sleep a victim in this situation

What can cause a broken rib?Strictly speaking, any impact, if it is carried out with sufficient force. For example, a person can fall from somewhere and earn an injury. Symptoms of fracture of the ribs will not keep you waiting. So, the reasons for this injury:

- falls (in particular, on the side);

- squeezing of the chest and diaphragm;

- mechanical damage (any blows to the chest area).

It is worth noting that the risk of fractures increases with age, which means that older people need to provide themselves with rational nutrition, aimed at strengthening bones.

Fractures can be either single, ormultiple. When diagnosing, one must also take into account the severity of the injury, which will be indicated by the symptoms of fracture of the ribs. So, there are simply cracks, fractures, when only the bone breaks, and the periosteum does not, and so-called complete fractures.

The main symptoms of fracture of the ribs

First of all, we note that fracture of the ribs is an injuryvery insidious, because, although the ribs and heal relatively quickly, but can damage the lungs and other organs. Naturally, this will not lead to anything good. So, directly the symptoms of injury:

- limited mobility of the chest;

- shortness of breath, decreased lung volume;

- pain in the chest, which ceases, if the victim is quietly sitting, and resumes when breathing, talking, coughing and while driving.

With multiple fractures of the ribs, a persontries as little as possible to move, breathe shallowly and not talk. The site of the injury is easily palpable. Most often, when you touch, the patient experiences pain. It happens that as a result of complete fractures the lungs are damaged. In this case, there are other symptoms of fracture of the ribs. So, if as a result of a trauma the air got into the subcutaneous tissue, then at a palpation crepitation (or a specific scratching) is observed.

With fractures on the left side may be violatedthe rhythm of the work of the heart. In this case, the skin pales, the patient can vomit blood. It must be remembered that such injuries can be complicated by pneumonia. But in any case, no symptoms of fracture of the ribs will help determine the nature of the injury better than the well-known to everyone chest X-ray.

Next, consider one of the most important issues,which occur with a broken rib: "How to sleep in this situation?" In case the back side is not damaged, you can sleep on your back. But all the same it is better - on one side (on the healthy side, of course).

How is it better to heal rib fracture?

First of all, remember that you shouldself-medication is not necessary. Ribs may mismatch properly, which is fraught with complications. During treatment, the chest needs rigid fixation, which is why a person needs to be sent to a hospital. After the ribs have grown together, it is possible to start performing special respiratory gymnastics, which will restore the mobility of the chest.

So, in the article we described what a rib fracture, symptoms, treatment of this injury.