Pain in the rib area may lead you to wonder whether or not you have a cracked or bruised rib, especially after you've suffered a blow or another type of injury. If you suspect your ribs are cracked or bruised, you may do well to go through a checklist of symptoms that could indicate you need medical attention. Among them are sharp pain, especially in the side; bruising in the same area as the pain; discomfort that grows worse when you move about; difficulty breathing; and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

The first thing you may consider when you are trying to determine if you have a bruised or cracked rib is whether or not you've suffered a blow or been in an accident that is likely to cause such an injury. For example, if you've recently been hit in the rib area, suffered a fall, or been in a car accident, you may feel more confident that the symptoms you feel are caused by a cracked or bruised rib. Likewise, if you've had an illness that causes you to cough a good deal, this can also cause rib bruising or cracking. If, on the other hand, you have not suffered such issues, you may best consider other sources as more likely causes of your symptoms.

The location of the pain you feel may prove a strong indication of whether you have a cracked or bruised rib or some other issue. If the pain you have is in your side, is moderate to severe, and worsens when you move around or bend over, this can prove an indication that you have a cracked or bruised rib. You may also notice that the pain in your ribs gets worse when you breathe deeply, laugh, cough, or sneeze. Your discomfort might, however, remain constant to some extent, no matter what you are doing.

If you have a cracked or bruised rib, you might also notice that the skin in the area in which you feel the pain seems bruised. Such an outward sign is more likely to develop, however, if you have suffered injury to the ribs as the result of a fall, blow, or other type of accident. If the rib injury resulted from coughing, external bruising may be less likely.

It is important to note that a cracked or bruised rib isn't typically a minor problem that can safely be ignored. Sometimes an injured rib can go on to damage lung tissue. As such, it is wise to see a doctor for treatment for a cracked or bruised rib. Additionally, if you have symptoms such as chest tightness and problems breathing, it is advisable to seek immediate emergency care.