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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Should I Do For My Husband Who Has Breathing Trouble After Falling?

my husband fell today about 2 1/2 ft off his work truck on his left side. Pain immediately in upper chest but increasing now. Hard to breathe, hurts when takes a deep breath and cough. I'm thinking cracked or bruised rib. I gave him 800mg ibuprofen and told him mainly rest
Tue, 28 Jul 2015
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Pulmonologist 's  Response
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your husband's situation and problem.
In my opinion, you should immediately take him to the hospital and get done chest x ray.
He had blunt chest trauma due to fall. He is also having worsening pain and breathlessness. So possibility of rib fracture, pneumothorax, Pulmonary contusions etc is more. And all these are seen after blunt chest trauma.
So chest x ray is needed to rule out all these.
If chest x ray is normal than no need to worry much for all these complications.
Ask him to take painkiller and muscle relaxant drugs. Avoid movements causing pain. Avoid bad postures in sleep. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavyweight lifting. Apply warm water pad on affected areas.
He will improve in 1-2 weeks, but first get done chest x ray to rule out other complications.
Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.
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What Should I Do For My Husband Who Has Breathing Trouble After Falling?

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your husband s situation and problem. In my opinion, you should immediately take him to the hospital and get done chest x ray. He had blunt chest trauma due to fall. He is also having worsening pain and breathlessness. So possibility of rib fracture, pneumothorax, Pulmonary contusions etc is more. And all these are seen after blunt chest trauma. So chest x ray is needed to rule out all these. If chest x ray is normal than no need to worry much for all these complications. Ask him to take painkiller and muscle relaxant drugs. Avoid movements causing pain. Avoid bad postures in sleep. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavyweight lifting. Apply warm water pad on affected areas. He will improve in 1-2 weeks, but first get done chest x ray to rule out other complications. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.