Rib pain when breathing

As we all know, if the body has some special symptoms, they are all caused by various diseases. For example, rib pain when breathing is a common symptom. This symptom is mostly caused by diseases such as costochondritis, pleurisy, and pneumothorax. Patients need to pay attention to it and receive active treatment. Below we will introduce in detail the causes of rib pain when breathing!

1. Costochondritis

Costochondritis is divided into nonspecific costochondritis and infectious costochondritis. The most common type in clinical practice is nonspecific costochondritis, which accounts for more than 95% of outpatient visits. It is a nonspecific, non-suppurative inflammation of the costal cartilage. It is a non-suppurative costochondritis inflammatory lesion that occurs at the junction of the costal cartilage and the sternum for unknown reasons. It manifests as a self-limited disease with localized pain and swelling. It is more common in adults aged 25 to 35 years old, mostly women, with a male to female ratio of 1:9. Elderly people also get sick. It often occurs at the junction of the 2nd to 5th costal cartilages. It is usually multiple and can be seen beside one side of the sternum, or symmetrical on both sides. In single cases, the 2nd costal cartilage is common. Infectious costochondritis, also known as suppurative costochondritis, is a rare surgical infection.

2. Pleurisy

Pleurisy refers to inflammation of the pleura caused by pathogenic factors (usually viruses or bacteria) irritating the pleura, also known as "pleurisy". There may be fluid accumulation in the chest cavity (exudative pleurisy) or no fluid accumulation (dry pleurisy). After the inflammation is controlled, the pleura may return to normal, or the two layers of pleura may adhere to each other. The main clinical manifestations are chest pain, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and even difficulty breathing. It is more common in young people and children.

3. Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax refers to the entry of gas into the pleural cavity, causing a state of gas accumulation, which is called pneumothorax. It is mostly caused by rupture of lung tissue and visceral pleura due to lung disease or external force, or rupture of tiny emphysematous bubbles near the surface of the lung, causing air in the lungs and bronchi to escape into the pleural cavity. Pneumothorax caused by chest wall or lung trauma is called traumatic pneumothorax; pneumothorax caused by spontaneous rupture of lung tissue due to disease is called "spontaneous pneumothorax"; if air is artificially injected into the pleural cavity for treatment or diagnosis, it is called "artificial pneumothorax". Pneumothorax can be divided into closed pneumothorax, open pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax. Spontaneous pneumothorax is more common in young and middle-aged men or those suffering from chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and tuberculosis. This disease is one of the pulmonary emergencies. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening, but it can be cured with timely treatment.