Treatment for Costochondritis

Those who are keen on knowing what is costochondritis should understand that costochondritis is a condition that is also known as Tietze’s syndrome which results in the inflammation of the chest wall, especially the bones and the cartilage in the chest wall. Typically there is a cartilage that is present at the junction of the sternum or the breastbone and the rib bone. A person suffering from costochondritis will experience an irritation or inflammation of this cartilage which can be very painful. The chest pain that tends to accompany costochondritis is known to be very painful depending on the extent of inflammation of the cartilage. It is not possible to identify the exact cause of costochondritis; however it has been observed that one of the primary costochondritis causes is repetitive microtrauma or even an overuse. This basically includes the activities that result in constant or frequent damage to the cartilage of the chest wall which will ultimately result in costochondral separation or an inflammation of the chest wall.

Research has also shown that this medical condition is commonly observed in individuals who are between the ages of 20 to 40 years. In fact inflammation of the rib cartilage which is one of the causes of costochondritis is also commonly found in athletes especially repetitive rowers. Costochondritis can also be on account of a traumatic injury such as a car accident or even because of an upper respiratory viral infection. One of the most common symptoms of costochondritis would be a severe pain in the upper chest area of the individual which may radiate to even the back. However one must also bear in mind that chest pain may also be a symptom of a heart condition and hence it is necessary to get a thorough check form ones doctor before taking any treatment for costochondritis. Those suffering from costochondritis should also ensure that they do not take up any form of exercise or strenuous activity as it tends to worsen the pain. In fact even simply touching the area that is usually involved while suffering from is known to cause extreme pain to the individual.

The costochondritis pain in the shoulders and arms as also the costochondritis back pain may be because there are plenty of nerves that tend to branch away from the chest thereby spreading the pain. If an individual is known to be suffering from chronic costochondritis or Tietze’s syndrome then there may be some amount of swelling or redness in the areas of the chest as well that are very tender. Those individual who are suffering from recurring bout of costochondritis may also be suffering from fibromyalgia. Those individuals who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are known to have plenty of tender spots and the upper breastbone especially is one of the most common tender spots. Some of the other causes of costochondritis include physical strain that may occur on lifting heavy weights or excessive use of one’s upper limbs. Those who are suffering from respiratory diseases are also prone to developing costochondritis on account of persistent coughing and sneezing. These actions are known to increase the amount of pressure on the chest wall and also strain the costal cartilage.

Physical therapy may be one of the recommended costochondritis cures which may also include strapping especially in sportsmen. In case of chronic costochondritis the doctor may also recommend some NSAID’s. On the other hand for cases of costochondritis that are not as aggressive the doctor may simply suggest the use of analgesic patches. Some of the other costochondritis cures include tricyclic depressants and muscle relaxants which are extremely helpful if there is a very prominent muscle spasm. One of the best natural cures for costochondritis includes getting plenty of rest and also applying some ice or heat therapy to gain relief from the chest pain. Those suffering from chest pain on account of costochondritis often report that the pain is commonly observed in their fifth, fourth and sixth ribs which increase in intensity if they take deep breaths. Medical intervention for those suffering from costochondritis may be required in the case of those who find trouble while breathing or are also suffering with high fever along with the chest pain. Similarly if one also shows signs of an infection in the chest cavity which may include pus, redness or even an increase in the swelling of the rib joints while suffering from costochondritis then one should immediately consult the doctor so as to avoid any further complications.

Costochondritis and pregnancy are not known to go hand in hand; however women are known to find some amount of trouble taking deep breaths on account of the growing size of the uterus especially in the first and second trimester of the pregnancy. For those who experience other symptoms such as pain in the left arm or a generalized chest pain which is accompanied with a high amount of sweating, they should immediately go to the emergency department of the hospital as these are known to be common symptoms of a heart attack and may not be on account of costochondritis. One of the most common features of costochondritis is the reproducible tenderness which one may feel when they press the costochondral junctions or the rib joints. If this tenderness does not exist then the diagnosis of costochondritis may not be done. The chest pain associated with costochondritis will be usually located at the front of the chest wall and may also radiate to the left side of the abdomen or the back. On the other hand the person suffering from Tietze’s syndrome is known to experience pain and swelling at the rib and cartilage junction. One of the ways to differentiate between these two medical conditions is that costochondritis does not involve any sort of noticeable form of swelling. In some cases, the individual may also develop Tietze’s syndrome as a complication of any surgery that may have been done on ones sternum, months or even years back. The swelling associated with Tietze’s syndrome is usually found at the junction of the second and third ribs and may last for several months.