bruised ribs

[mkjuk]

how long do they take to heal? - it happened a week ago and no improvement, i didnt hear a crack tho so am guessing they are just bruised

[happygirl122]

umm maybe your ribs ARE fractured, go to the doc n get an xray!

[happygirl122]

anyway, they don't really do anything for uncomplicated rib fractures, they just heal on their own, & you can take some analgesics for pain relief.

[redcrx]

as happygirl says, get it checked out. At least you will know then for sure and will know what care to take.

[IggyB]

after a car crash which resulted in me really badly bruising my ribs where the seat belt caught me i was uncomfortable and tender for about 3 weeks and not really back to normal for a month

[willa]

You could have a hairline fracture, Mkjuk, and it might not even appear on an X-ray. Happygirl's right - there's no extraordinary treatment other than pain relief and try to minimize movement to the area.

May '05 I bruised several ribs in a fall. It took a total of 6 weeks before I was back to 100% gym-worthy.

One thing the emergency room nurse told me to do was to practice some deep breathing several times a day - with a pillow over my chest to help relieve the pain, if necessary. She said people with bruised ribs tend to breathe shallower without realizing it, and over time that could lead to respiratory problems.

Happy healing!

[mkjuk]

THANKS - are there certain foods i should be eating or anything other than the breathing that can accelerate the healing process?

[willa]

Mkjuk, I hope you have loved ones around who can wait on you hand and foot. Or maybe you can rent some?

Minimizing movement is the biggie, and usually the toughest to do. Find comfortable seating positions - usually with cushion support - that won't unduly stress your midsection (easier said than done, granted). Make sure you're properly supported in bed; use as many pillows as will help make you comfortable and breathing easy. The first weeks are the hardest, but it will get better.

And respect the pain! With the deep breathing, in the beginning it will be uncomfortable but it shouldn't be painful. Don't breathe past the pain.

I was never given any dietary restrictions. Maybe just don't put anything in that will cause a strain coming out!