Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

I assume you had traumatic chest injury. Since I do not have access to your medical records or knowledge about your current medical status, I will provide general guidelines which you can follow on consult with your Doctor.

1. If you have chest tube the care of the tube is very important. Always keep the bag in a low level than the tube
2. Cough is a normal reflex. It should not be supressed. Coughing will prevent
3. Keep the wound area clean using the
4. The other wounds and abrasion should heal easily
5. Avoid contact with obviously sick people and people with flu symptoms
6. If your Doctor prescribes a breathing exercise, do follow it. This will be the most important step in Lung rehabilitation
7. If there is excess pain in ribs / chest you should increase the pain medication. Or get in touch with the pain. You should not try to live with the pain. Pain actually can impare your chest movments. This can result in inadequate recovery and/or infection. Bottomline is –DO NOT try to ‘live’ with some pain.
8. Take deep breaths (if allowed by your Doctor)
9. The gushing and bleeding out will stop soon. Keep the area clean and sterile
10. Do not lift weight or do heavy work for 6 months (or for the time period recommended by your Doctor.

I will happy to give you more recommendation if you can provide more information on your condition. Cause ? On chest tube on not ? Any lung injury ? Xray etc
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you