Table of Contents
Have you ever felt a sharp or dull pain in your chest that seems to worsen when you take deep breaths, cough, or move your chest? If yes, then you might be experiencing costochondritis. It's a common condition that occurs when the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone becomes inflamed and irritated. There's a condition called costochondritis that can also cause chest pain, and it's quite common.
Q What is Costochondritis?
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. Although the exact cause is unknown, it's often related to repetitive trauma or physical strain. It can also be caused by viral infections like the common cold or the flu.
Common Symptoms of Costochondritis
The exact cause of costochondritis is unknown, but it's believed to be related to repetitive trauma or physical strain. It can also be caused by viral infections, such as the common cold or the flu.
Let us take a look at the symptoms to better understand this concept.
- A dull or sharp chest pain : The most common symptom of costochondritis is chest pain that can feel sharp or dull. You may feel the pain on the left, right or center of your chest.
- Pain alongside your back : This symptom can even radiate to your back or abdomen. The pain may worsen when you take deep breaths or cough, and may ease when you rest or take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
There is also a small chance that some patients suffering from costochondritis may already have complications with certain types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, palmoplantar pustular arthritis).
In addition, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can also infect the ribs and cause the disease. Tumors may also cause costochondritis. Tumors can spread to joints from other parts of the body, such as the breast, thyroid, or lungs.
However, it is always important to visit a proper specialist and get a proper diagnosis before speculating about causes and types.
Treatments for costochondritis
The good news is that costochondritis is usually manageable. The first step is to manage the pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter pain medications can be really helpful, but if the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication or suggest corticosteroid injections
Resting and avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, such as heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, can be helpful. It is also important to avoid activities that require you to use your arms above your head for long periods of time.
While medication will help, the best way to recover is adequate rest and relaxation. Resting and avoiding activities that aggravate the condition can also help. If you find that applying heat or ice to the affected area provides relief, go ahead and use that too.
Treatment for costochondritis usually involves managing the pain and inflammation. Pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In some cases, prescription pain medications may be necessary. Resting and avoiding activities that aggravate the condition will also help tremendously with recovery.
Q What is Intercostal neuralgia?
Intercostal neuralgia is a condition characterized by pain along the intercostal nerves, which run between the ribs. These nerves provide sensation to the chest wall, and when they become irritated or damaged, they can cause sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the chest, ribcage, or upper abdomen. This pain may worsen with movement, coughing, or deep breathing.
Q What is the difference between costochondritis and intercostal neuralgia?
Intercostal neuralgia is pain caused by damage to the intercostal nerve, which runs along the ribs. Costochondritis differs from intercostal neuralgia because the pain is localized at the junction between the costal cartilage and the ribs.
Intercostal neuralgia is most often associated with some other disorder. Especially for intercostal neuralgia in the elderly, it is necessary to consider the possibility of malignant disease (cancer) and search for the cause. Intercostal neuralgia is a painful disorder characterized by sharp, sharp, or burning pain that usually corresponds to the course of the intercostal nerve. The characteristic symptoms are pain that radiates forward from the back and overlying skin hyperalgesia.
Intercostal neuralgia is also common after breast or chest surgery. It has also been reported in patients with traumatic or iatrogenic neuroma, or herpes zoster infection.
Q How long does costochondritis take to heal?
Costochondritis usually heals on its own within a few weeks. A few months at most. However, in some cases it can last for more than a year. Also, even if it improves once, it may recur repeatedly. In such a case, as mentioned above, abnormal blood vessels that are not normally seen may remain, which may be the cause of a difficult recovery.
Consultation
If you are having trouble with prolonged pain, please reach out to us.
If you would like to know more about Costochondritis and the impact it has on your body and the ways in which you can manage it, please keep reading our site for more information!