What is Costochondritis? Symptoms of Costochondritis?
February 6, 2021 Bone Health 1036 ViewsWhat is Costochondritis?
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum. Costochondritis causes chest pain. It is a condition that often recovers on its own without treatment. Chest pain due to costochondritis can lead to more serious conditions such as heart attack, pericarditis, etc. No exact cause of costochondritis has been identified, but treatment can be done based on the symptoms. Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. Perhaps many people do not understand chest pain and costochondritis. So, let us tell you in detail about costochondritis through today’s article.
- What are the Causes and Risks Factors of Costochondritis?
- What are the Symptoms of Costochondritis?
- Diagnosis of Costochondritis
- What are the Treatments for Costochondritis?
What are the Causes and Risks Factors of Costochondritis?
There is no exact cause of costochondritis, but some of the following reasons and risk factors may cause this condition.
- Like – Chest injury due to some accident or trauma
- Tumors can cause swelling of the ribs. Also, cancerous tumors pose a risk of costochondritis. It is because many organs are connected to each other, including breast, lung, thyroid.
- Costochondritis can occur due to excessive stress, anxiety, excessive exercise, and severe coughing.
- There may be a risk of costochondritis due to bone disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
- Costochondritis may occur due to bacterial infection and severe joint infection. In many people, tuberculosis infection causes inflammation in the ribs. (Read more – How does TB occur)
What are the Symptoms of Costochondritis?
The following signs and symptoms of costochondritis may occur.
- For example, severe chest pain on deep breathing or coughing
- Ribs become more strained
- Sudden chest pain
- Feeling pressure in the chest
- Increased pain in the left side of the breastbone
- If someone is experiencing severe chest pain, then he/she should immediately go to the hospital, because chest pain can pose a risk of a heart attack. It becomes an emergency. (Read more – What is a heart attack)
Diagnosis of Costochondritis
- Diagnosis of costochondritis is based on the patient’s history of chronic illness and physical examination.
- Doctors may perform imaging tests and blood tests in some cases to rule out other potentially more serious causes of chest pain. Doctors may get chest X-rays to detect pneumonia and tumors.
- If a patient has a suspected heart condition, an electrocardiogram (EKG) may be performed.
- Doctors may order blood pressure examination if fever and other signs of inflammation are present. (Read more – What is the treatment of Coronavirus)
What are the Treatments for Costochondritis?
Treatments of costochondritis include.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – Some medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), etc., are available to relieve rib inflammation, but use them with the advice of a doctor, as some medicines can cause harm. Such as damage to the stomach lining and kidneys.
- Narcotics – If the patient’s pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe codeine-containing drugs, such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Narco) or oxycodone/acetaminophen (Tyla, Roxicat, Percocet). Narcotics can be habit-forming
- Antidepressants – Antidepressants such as amitriptyline are often used to control chronic pain. Mainly this drug keeps awake overnight.
- Anti-seizure medications – Antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin (Neuropt) has also been shown to be successful in controlling chronic pain. (Read more – Causes of epilepsy)
Therapy –
- Stretching Exercise – Gentle stretching exercises can be helpful for chest muscles.
- Nerve stimulation – It is the process of stimulating the nerves using a device called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This device sends a weak electric current through a patch of adhesive placed on the skin near the area of pain. The pain signals are interrupted to prevent them from reaching your brain. (Read more – Benefits of morning exercise)
We hope that your question, what is costochondritis, is answered through this article.
If you want more information or treatment of costochondritis, contact an Orthopedist.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you good advice because no one else is better than them.
