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This article was co-written by Jonas DeMuro, MD. Dr. DeMuro is a licensed pediatric health surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his study in Surgical Urgent Care at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and served as a member. from the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
There are 9 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 7,646 times.
Sleeping with a broken rib can be very painful, especially if you are unable to lie down in a normal position because of the pain. To make it easier to sleep when your ribs are broken, you need to adjust your lying position and find ways to relieve pain before going to sleep. You should also follow your doctor’s advice for pain management and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you’re having trouble sleeping because of rib pain.
Steps
Create comfort
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Find the most comfortable position. When you have a rib fracture, you may find lying on your back is most comfortable, or you may find it more comfortable to lie on your side. Both of these positions are appropriate when the ribs are broken. Besides, lying on your back or side helps you breathe easier. [1] X Trusted Source Cleveland Clinic Go to Source You can try several different positions to find the most comfortable position.
- Try lying on your side on the injured side . Some doctors recommend lying on the injured side if only one rib is broken, because this position will limit the movement of the broken ribs and help you breathe more deeply. However, if you feel pain when lying on your side on the side of the broken rib, don’t try.
- Try sleeping on a recliner . Some people with broken ribs find it more comfortable to sleep in a recliner than in bed.
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Use pillows for comfort. Pillows and cushions can help keep you from rolling in your sleep causing you to wake up in pain. If you’re lying on your back, put a pillow under each arm or put two pillows under your heels to relieve strain on your back. [2] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source
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Breathe deeply . Broken ribs can cause you to breathe shallowly because of the pain when your chest moves too much. So it’s a good idea to try to breathe deeply during the day and before going to bed. Deep breathing can help you relax and get more oxygen. [3] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Lie on your back or lean back in a chair and slowly take a deep breath. Count to 5 as you inhale, then exhale slowly as you count to 5. As you inhale, try to push air into your abdomen with your diaphragm.
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Limit movement while sleeping. For the first few days, you will have to refrain from coughing, twisting, turning, and stretching. This can be difficult to remember or control at night. But try to remember that the ribs are related to many parts of the upper body, so the pain will increase if you move.
- Have some pillows nearby so you can press against your ribs when you cough during the night. [4] X Research Sources
- Avoid wrapping your ribs to limit movement. Wrapping the ribs increases the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia. [5] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
Pain relief while sleeping
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Take pain relievers as directed by your doctor. If your doctor has prescribed pain medication, take it 30 minutes before bedtime to control pain. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take the medicine, and ask your doctor right away if you have any questions or problems. [6] X Research Sources
- Note that some pain relievers can make it difficult to sleep because they cause sleep apnea. For example, opioids like codeine and morphine can cause apnea and keep you awake in the middle of the night. [7] X Research Sources
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Try an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. [8] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source If you don’t have a prescription for pain medication from your doctor, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ask your doctor about medications and dosages. Do not take more than the recommended dose. [9] X Research Source
- If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or internal bleeding, consult your doctor to see if you can take one of the above medicines.
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Apply ice to the ribs. Ice will numb the pain and reduce swelling. For the first 2 days after your injury, wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it every hour for 20 minutes. After 2 days, you can apply the ice pack for 10-20 minutes at a time, at least 3 times a day. [10] X Research Sources[11] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Try applying ice right before bed for pain relief.
- Avoid using heat on painful ribs, especially when swollen. Heat increases blood flow to the painful area and worsens swelling. [12] X Research Source
Create an environment for recovery
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Sleep as much as possible. Sleep is essential for the body’s recovery process, so you should make sure to get plenty of rest. [13] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to the source Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night and nap during the day if you feel sleepy. Some effective ways to make it easier to fall asleep include:
- Go to bed at the same time every day
- Turn off all devices such as TVs, computers, tablets and phones
- Make sure the bedroom is dark, cool and quiet
- Avoid caffeinated drinks or alcohol before bed
- Do not eat at least 2 hours before going to bed
- Choose a relaxing activity before bed like listening to soothing music or taking a shower [14] X Research Source
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Occasional movement during the day. Sleeping all day is not a good idea when you have a broken rib. During the day, you should get up and walk around every now and then. This will help you get more oxygen and push the mucus out of your lungs. [15] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Try to get up and walk around the house for a few minutes, at least every hour.
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Cough if you need to. You’re more likely to get pneumonia if you don’t cough when you need to. Coughing with a broken rib can be painful, but you still have to cough anyway. [16] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Hold a pillow or blanket against your chest when coughing to make it less painful.
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Eat nutritious food . Adequate nutrition is also essential for the body’s recovery process. [17] X Research Source You need to eat a balanced diet during your recovery. Your diet should include:
- fruits like apples, oranges, grapes and bananas
- vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, spinach and carrots
- Lean proteins like skinless chicken, ground beef and shrimp
- dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese
- complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, pasta and whole-wheat bread
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Stop smoking . Quitting smoking can also speed up your recovery time. [18] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source If you are a smoker, now is a good time to quit. You can talk to your doctor about medications and smoking cessation programs that can make quitting easier.
Warning
- Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have trouble sleeping because of pain from a broken rib. Good and adequate rest is very important in the recovery process.
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This article was co-written by Jonas DeMuro, MD. Dr. DeMuro is a licensed pediatric health surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his study in Surgical Urgent Care at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and served as a member. from the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
There are 9 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 7,646 times.
Sleeping with a broken rib can be very painful, especially if you are unable to lie down in a normal position because of the pain. To make it easier to sleep when your ribs are broken, you need to adjust your lying position and find ways to relieve pain before going to sleep. You should also follow your doctor’s advice for pain management and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you’re having trouble sleeping because of rib pain.
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