Costochondritis

Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum), specifically at the costosternal junctions. This condition causes chest pain, which can range from mild to severe and is often mistaken for heart-related pain.

🧠 Explanation:

Your ribs are connected to your sternum by costal cartilage — a tough but flexible tissue. When this cartilage becomes inflamed, it leads to localized pain and tenderness, especially in the upper chest area.

🔍 Key Characteristics:

• Pain Location: Usually on the left side of the chest, but it can affect both sides.
• Pain Quality: Sharp, aching, or pressure-like. It may worsen with:
  • Deep breathing
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Physical activity
  • Touching the affected area (tender to the touch)
• No swelling: Unlike Tietze syndrome (a related condition), costochondritis does not cause visible swelling.

🧾 Causes:

Often the cause is unknown, but possible triggers include:

• Repetitive strain (e.g., heavy lifting, intense coughing)
• Chest trauma (minor injury)
• Viral or bacterial respiratory infections
• Poor posture or excessive upper-body movement
• Inflammatory conditions (rare)

👩‍⚕️ Who Is Affected?

• Most common in adults between 20–50 years old
• More frequent in women than men
• Also seen in people with fibromyalgia or inflammatory arthritis

🧪 Diagnosis:

There is no specific test for costochondritis. Doctors diagnose it based on:

• Medical history
• Physical exam (pain with pressure on chest wall)
• Ruling out more serious causes (like heart disease, lung problems)

💊 Treatment:

Usually self-limiting — it often goes away on its own within weeks to months.

Common treatments include:

• NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) for pain and inflammation
• Heat or ice packs to reduce pain
• Gentle stretching or physical therapy
• Avoiding activities that worsen the pain

⚠️ Always seek medical attention if you’re unsure whether chest pain is from costochondritis or something more serious like a heart issue.

✅ Summary: