pain in chest and ribs when exhaling

[ivy101]

I was awaken 3 night ago hurting in the middle of my chest ( almost like someone was ripping it apart), when I stood up it went away, but as soon as I layed back down it started again. Now i still hurt when I exhale but it not only hurts at the middle of my chest it feels like someone is stapping me in the ribs. Any ideas on what this could be? I had a cold over 2 weeks ago, but have been fine for over a week. It also hurts to cough or sneeze.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

If with movement you are getting pain it is likely to be an inflammation of the skin, subcutaneous tissue or the bone. This can happen with injury, repetitive activity or an infection of the skin. Sometimes it can be costo-chondritis, inflammation of the sterna rib junction. The constant coughing could cause muscle strain and chest pain. Sometimes the pleura, the lining of the chest cavity and lungs can get inflamed causing pain with coughing. Only clinical correlation and other investigations besides X rays can help to narrow down the cause. In the meantime you can take OTC pain medication Ibuprofen. Ensure to take this medication after food to avoid gastritis.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[allmymarbles]

You might have developed pneumonia or some other respiratory ailment.