Broken ribs are one of the most painful injuries a person can sustain. It’s also one of the most common. According to a study by Public Health Ontario, broken ribs are the most frequent malignant injuries in ice hockey players. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to sleep with broken ribs and start healing fast!
How to Tell if You Have Broken Ribs?
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Coughing
Coughing is a reliable indicator of broken ribs. When your ribs are broken, coughing can be excruciatingly painful, sometimes even causing you to double over in agony. When you have broken ribs, coughing will hurt the broken rib, which will sometimes be visible as a bulge in the skin. However, even if the rib doesn’t cause a bulge, coughing will still be very painful. The key to coughing is to distinguish it from other causes of shortness of breath. If you have broken ribs, coughing will be painful, but the shortness of breath can be due to a variety of non-broken rib-related reasons, such as asthma, bronchitis, or even a panic attack. If you are coughing and short of breath, and the coughing is almost unbearable, it is likely a broken rib.
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Taking a breath
Since taking a breath is what ribs are designed to do, if you’ve got broken ribs, taking a breath will be more painful than usual. If you have broken ribs, taking a deep breath will cause you to feel the pain in your chest. With broken ribs, it can hurt even to breathe shallowly. If you suspect you have broken ribs, try taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds. If the pain shoots through your chest, you may have broken ribs. If you don’t have broken ribs, taking a deep breath with no pain may sound reassuring. However, if you do have broken ribs and take a deep breath, it may be excruciatingly painful.
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New pain when breathing in
If you have pain when breathing that is new if you don’t already have broken ribs, it could be a sign that you have broken ribs. If you are not sure whether you have broken ribs, take a deep breath and see if any new pain appears in your chest. If you have broken ribs, you will likely have pain when taking a deep breath in. If you don’t have broken ribs, you may have some discomfort when taking a deep breath in, but unless it is extreme, it is unlikely to be due to broken ribs. If you suspect you have broken ribs, try taking a deep breath and see if you feel any new pain in your chest.
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Pain that extends past your ribcage
If you have broken ribs, the pain will extend past your ribcage. If you suspect you have broken ribs, try to locate the pain. If the pain ends just before your armpit, you may not have broken ribs. However, if the pain extends past your ribcage, you may have broken ribs. This is particularly likely if the pain radiates to the side of your back. If you suspect you have broken ribs, try to locate the pain. If the pain extends past your ribcage, you may have broken ribs.
How to Sleep With Broken Ribs?
1. Make Your Bed Safer
If you have broken ribs, you need to make your bed safer. That means you shouldn’t lie on your broken ribs. Instead, you should put a pillow between your legs or put a pillow under your knees. Also, your head shouldn’t be at the foot of the bed. Instead, it should be in the middle. The bed should be firm with a low frame and slats that are close together so that there is less chance of you rolling off the bed.
2. Use a Chest Wall Pressor
A chest wall pressor is a device that holds your chest wall in place while you sleep. It is a great way to sleep with broken ribs. It will help prevent the ribs from being squeezed together, which can cause a lot of pain. You’ll need to be fitted for one at a medical supply store and follow the instructions for use. You may need to use it night and day for up to two weeks. When you lie down on your back, the weight of your chest will put pressure on the broken ribs. This can make them very painful, especially if they’re broken high in your chest. One way to rest with broken ribs is to sleep with your upper body raised. You can use a pillow or even a book to prop yourself up. Or, you could try lying on your side instead. This will take some pressure off your ribs, and you’ll likely find it much more comfortable.
3. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated
When you have broken ribs, be sure to eat a balanced diet that’s rich in protein and fiber. Your body will heal much faster if you get enough calories and nutrients. Also, make sure to stay hydrated, as this will reduce the risk of developing a bladder infection and make it easier to urinate.
4. Don’t Rush the Healing Process
Broken ribs usually heal within six weeks, so don’t rush the process. You can do things to help relieve pain and make it easier to heal, such as breathing exercises and staying hydrated. But there’s no way to make it go away faster. Rest, ice, and painkillers will help, but they won’t speed up the healing process. If you do anything that puts pressure on your ribs – lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing, or even laughing – you could re-break your ribs and slow down the healing process. So, if you have broken ribs, try to take them easily and avoid activities that put pressure on your ribs.
5. Take Short Breathing Breaks
While many broken rib pain relief techniques are focused on the ribs, your breathing is also a big part of the equation. If it’s difficult to get enough air, you’re not likely to get much sleep. To alleviate some of the short-term pain of broken ribs, try taking short breaks from deep breathing. This can be done by altering your breathing slightly. Instead of taking a deep breath, try to breathe mostly through your mouth. This will cause less stress on your ribs. Deep breathing is great for most of the day, but it’s better to take shallow breaths when lying down. This will help you get enough air without causing much stress on the ribs. It’s not a permanent fix for broken ribs, but it can be helpful for a few hours of sleep.
Tips To Heal From Broken Ribs
Drink Water:
Dehydration is a common side effect of broken ribs. In order to flush toxins from your system and stay hydrated, you will need to drink plenty of water.
Get Rest:
Resting is one of the most important things you can do while healing from broken ribs. You will need to give your body time to heal and recover.
Eat a Healthy Diet:
A healthy diet is crucial while healing from broken ribs. You will need to increase your intake of antioxidants and vitamins while you are resting.
Exercise:
Exercising while you are healing from broken ribs can actually help speed up your recovery. You can start with gentle exercises, like walking. As they become easier, you can gradually increase the intensity of your workouts.
Take a Hot Bath:
Taking a hot bath can be extremely helpful while healing from broken ribs. Not only will it soothe your tense muscles, but it can also promote blood flow and reduce pain.
Stay Positive:
Healing from broken ribs is a long process. It will take time, but it is possible. You will have bad days, but you have to stay positive.
Wear a Rib Belt:
Wearing a rib belt is a great way to reduce pain and pressure on your ribs.
Take an Anti-Inflammatory:
Taking an anti-inflammatory can help with the pain and swelling from broken ribs.
Get a Supportive Sleeping Pillow:
Sleeping on your side can be extremely uncomfortable while healing from broken ribs. A supportive sleeping pillow can make sleeping on your side much easier.
Bottom line
Broken ribs are one of the most painful and common injuries to sustain. You can’t simply rest and heal, though – you also have to take care of yourself to get better as quickly as possible. With the right diet, exercise routine, and sleeping techniques, you can heal from broken ribs faster than you might think. In fact, broken ribs are often called the “silent killer” because you can’t even cough if you have broken ribs.