Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 7/2/2007

Question
I've been sick for over a month with an upper respiratory infection that somewhere along the line turned into bronchitis. I've been coughing non-stop ever since I've became sick. About 4 days ago I awoke with this sharp pain on my right side, slightly under my breast. Every time I take a deep breath in, sit back, lay down or bend in direction it hurts. It doesn't hurt to cough, just the deep breaths i take to cough. My grandmother, whom is a nurse said I might have fractured my own ribs from coughing so much and so hard? Is is possible that my ribs are fractured or have I possibly pulled a muscle?

Answer
Jennifer,

A rib may fracture due to severe coughing; your symptoms also might indicate pleuritis, or inflammation of the lining of the lungs.

I strongly recommend and urge follow-up with your primary care physician, who may recommend a chest x-ray, antibiotics, prescription cough suppressants, or decongestants. Upper respiratory infections can lead to more serious conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Once fracture has been ruled out (although rib fractures can be very difficult to detect on x-ray), you might also consider some manual therapy from a chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist to assist with mobilization or manipulation of the rib cage, spinal column, and soft tissues, which often become aggravated with prolonged coughing.

I hope that this answer has been helpful to you.