Question: what to do when your ribs hurt from coughing?
Answer: Try taking anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen (brand name: Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol). If your pain is associated with a cough, you could try a cough suppressant, such as dextromethorphan (brand name: Robitussin) to give your ribs a rest from the coughing motion.