Broke your ribs by coughing? During the peak period of respiratory diseases, be careful about this situation

"No way! At my age, I don't have osteoporosis, how can I break my ribs by coughing?" In the clinic of Dr. Chen Huifang, a general practitioner at the Chao News Qianbao Health Station and the Hubin Street Community Health Service Center in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, the 27-year-old girl Xiao Peng (pseudonym) clutched the CT report with a look of surprise on her face.

The temperature dropped sharply recently. Xiao Peng accidentally caught a cold and started coughing. At first, she didn't take it seriously and took some expectorant and cough suppressant medicine on her own. However, after a few days, her cough did not improve.

A few days ago, Xiao Peng felt a sharp pain in her left rib after a violent coughing fit. She felt something was wrong and immediately consulted her contracted doctor, Chen Huifang. Dr. Chen initially diagnosed Xiao Peng with a rib fracture and suggested that she go to a higher-level hospital for a rib CT scan. Sure enough, the results showed an incomplete fracture of the seventh rib on the left side, which led to the scene at the beginning of the article.

Image provided by Hubin Subdistrict Community Health Service Center

Coughing is the body's self-protection mechanism to clear foreign matter and secretions from the respiratory tract. However, respiratory diseases are prevalent at this time, and frequent and severe coughing may cause the ribs to be unable to withstand the "heavy pressure."

Chen Huifang explained that cough-induced rib fractures are often related to repeated pulling of the ribs by the thoracic muscles. When the force of coughing exceeds the elastic limit of the ribs, it will cause fractures in the most vulnerable parts. "This type of fracture is mostly incomplete, but it can still cause serious complications such as hemothorax, mediastinal emphysema, and pulmonary contusion, which should not be ignored."

How to avoid injury from coughing?

Doctors remind everyone that when coughing, you should stand or sit upright and lean forward slightly, which will help promote the discharge of phlegm and reduce chest pressure; take a deep breath first to allow the lungs to fully expand, and avoid coughing violently at one time. Instead, cough gently a few times, wait until the phlegm is loosened, and then cough it out forcefully. This can significantly reduce the impact on the body.

In addition, you can dilute sputum by drinking water, nebulizing or using expectorants to make the coughing process smoother; when coughing, you can gently press the painful or vulnerable parts with your hands to effectively reduce vibration and thus reduce the risk of rib fractures.