I'm the type who tends to have a lingering cough when I catch a cold. This time, the cough had been going on for about a month.

Every time I coughed, I felt pain in my left chest area, but I thought it couldn't be as serious as a rib fracture, so I left it untreated.

Actually, after about 1 or 2 weeks, it was starting to heal quite well.

During a certain drinking party, I coughed hard and suddenly felt short of breath with a slight numbness in my limbs.

The pain escalated to a new level, making it even painful to breathe a little. Luckily, the drinking party ended early that day, but it was a bit tough to get back home on the train.

Lying down was painful, and I had trouble falling asleep.

Sensing the danger, I visited an orthopedic clinic and found out that I had cracked ribs.

They recommended rest as the main treatment, and I was given a corset and painkillers. They also advised me to sleep with the injured side facing down.

Wearing the corset provided a sturdy and fixed feeling that helped relieve the pain. However, it was quite hot in the summer, so I stopped wearing it after about a week (by then, the recovery was progressing).

It's been almost a month since I visited the hospital, and the pain has decreased to an almost ignorable level.

Nevertheless, I feel that not staying still could worsen the situation.

Never underestimate a cough.

By the way, if I sneeze, it causes excruciating pain, so if I feel a sneeze coming, I should immediately pinch my nose or do something to stop it.