First aid broken ribs

First aid for broken ribs needs to be immediately because there is a likelihood that the piece of bone pierce the vital organs: lungs, heart, arteries and veins. 40% of all rib fractures is relatively simple and safe (in case of fracture of one or two ribs).

Damage to other species in the region of the thorax are dangerous to human life.

Symptoms of a fracture

Know the symptoms of a fracture is necessary to properly administer first aid. Fractures of the thorax ranges from 5 to 15% of all injuries of the bones, in other words, this form of injury is very common. How to identify fractured ribs? This will help to the following symptoms:

• sharp pain in the chest;
• shallow breathing, shortness of breath;
• a person can not cough or take a deep breath, actively talking;
• if affected lung, mouth a blood;
• stiff and slow movements;
• pale skin, increased heart rate;
• breast swelling and hematoma at the site of injury;
• the increase in temperature.

Depending on the severity of the fracture and its location, some signs may be missing. For example, at the turn of the rear edges of the respiratory system will suffer less and the man will not hurt so much to breathe deeply or speak. It should be borne in mind that the degree of innervation of the chest and pain sensitivity in this region can have individual differences. Fractures of the ribs in the anterior and lateral parts of the chest pulmonary ventilation is difficult, the pain more intense.

At strong damage edges have the risk of developing posttraumatic pneumonia, pneumonia due to the significant lack of oxygen.

Emergency treatment of an open fracture of ribs

The rule for all types of fractures to the position of the bones relative to each other has not changed and has not been damaged internal organs, the victim cannot be moved, picked up to throw on the shoulders. Dress or undress the wounded should be only in case of emergency, for example, you need to stop the bleeding, and bandaging material is not enough, in this case, you can use clothing for bandages and stop the bleeding, if any.

Open fracture of ribs, is usually complicated by other injuries of spine and thorax. This injury is uncommon, but correctly rendered first aid measures first aid can save a life. The degree of violation of the skinfractures are open and closed.

If the wound is visible to the bare bones, it is an open fracture. If the skin is not broken, it's a closed fracture. With an open fracture often occurs heavy bleeding. It is necessary to halt by imposing a pressure bandage. It is impossible to independently adjust, set and change the position of the bones of the person. How to apply a compression bandage with an open fracture of the ribs?

1. The person providing assistance is the face to the victim to observe his condition.
2. The victim makes as deep as possible, inhale so that the bandage does not interfere with subsequently to breathe.
3. Person assisting, impose a bandage from the healthy skin to the area of injury, from left to right. Keep the bandages handy right hand. With slight pressure, taking care not to hurt the bones, a bandage applied to the wound.
4. Each following row of dressing overlaps the previous not less than half. From the top, if possible, it is necessary to impose a layer of material impermeable to air, for example, cellophane.
5. A bandage is applied with even pressure, without folds, constrictions and sagging.

In medical institutions are used for these purposes, bandages with tape width from 14 to 16 cm. In extreme conditions you can use torn bed sheets, bedspread, t-shirts, shirts. Whenever possible a dressing should be sterile.

After immobilization of the chest can give the victim Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Nurofen, and Ketanov any other drugs with analgesic effect.

In an emergency situation when a person experiences severe pain and no painkillers, it is possible to drink more than 100 g of vodka or other alcohol. When multiple injuries may develop traumatic shock, which is fatal. Better anesthesia, with alcohol, than the anaesthetic. Man with an open fracture of ribs, but without injuries of the abdomen and larynx can drink liquids in small SIPS and with great care, half-sitting. Doctors ambulance be sure to inform yourself about the taken measures. About bleeding into the chest or abdominal cavity can talk foamy blood from his mouth, strong pale, icy hands and feet. In this case, the victim categorically not to drink before arrival of doctors.

The least painful position with broken ribs, sitting or reclining. Man can not be forced to make to change the situation because the victim unconsciously tries to reduce pain when inhaling. To facilitate the fracture site is possible without the pressure to make cold, for example,ice cubes wrapped in a towel. The cold has anesthetic effect, it slows down the blood clotting.

What complications can occur with broken ribs:

1. Due to the open chest, the air gets into the pleural cavity. This condition is called pneumothorax and can lead to heart failure.
2. The hit of blood in the pleural cavity hemothorax: blood fills your lungs, breathing stops.
3. Respiratory failure. Because of the severe pain people can not breathe, the brain is lacking oxygen, the heart rate slows down, limbs feel cold. Prolonged respiratory insufficiency is life threatening.
4. Post-traumatic pneumonia, any infection in open wounds, inflammation of the lungs.

How can I prevent these complications during first aid:

• try to act quickly, first to close the chest carefully on delivery dressing, without moving the bones, then take care of the condition of the victim, give a pain reliever to keep in mind before arrival of doctors;
• to comply with sterility;
• do not move the person and not to take action, the benefit of which is certain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7J2EajM4l0

If the first aid in case of open fracture of ribs is not delayed, the prognosis is favorable.

Emergency treatment of closed fracture and fractures of the ribs

Closed fracture of the ribs in its course carried much easier than outdoor. Emergency care remains the same:

• to fix the position of the bones with a bandage;
• an analgesic;
• not to take unconscious action, and await the arrival of the ambulance.

If you have a cracked rib or fracture a single rib, the victim may be wary of their own to reach the emergency room in a taxi. You cannot drive if you suspect a rib fracture because the bones can move relative to each other suddenly and people because of the acute pain will lose control of the vehicle. In some cases, the intensity of pain is so low that people are unable to seek medical help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHjrnCpveoI

Cracked ribs can heal on their own, but an x-ray is still necessary. Recovery time after uncomplicated fracture of one rib takes from 2 weeks to a month, a few ribs - 6 weeks to two months. In the case of open fracture recovery time increases significantly. If it has been damaged one or two rib without breaking the skin, the victim is not hospitalitynet, in case of damage to a greater number of ribs required hospitalization because of the risk of developmentcomplications. To be able to render first aid and know the symptoms of rib fractures is necessary for reasons of personal security and to save the lives of their loved ones.