Costochondritis is an inflammatory condition around the cartilage that joins each rib to the sternum (breastbone). It is estimated that 4 to 50% of individuals with chest pain have costochondritis. In reality, most cases of costochondritis are mistaken for other major conditions, like heart attacks or lung problems.
Hence, knowing the cause of costochondritis and its symptoms will only help diagnose someone in time to get them treated properly. Let's explore the common symptoms and causes of this disease, as well as the ideal costochondritis treatment strategies.
Costochondritis is an inflammatory process in the costal cartilage, which connects the ribs to the breastbone. Inflammation may cause chest pain or tenderness that worsens with certain movements or activities. It can even make breathing and moving your chest painful.
The pain may start suddenly or may develop slowly and spread (radiate) across your chest. Costochondritis is a very common disorder that might affect anyone, but its prevalence is most pronounced in young adults and adolescents. It tends to be really panicking for people experiencing pain that might feel like that of a heart attack.
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Determination of costochondritis is most crucial in arriving at the appropriate diagnosis and even treatment. The common costochondritis symptoms are as follows:
There is often no apparent reason why costochondritis disease occurs in humans. However, it can be the result of following factors among others such as:
Note: Women are slightly more commonly affected than men, with a ratio reported as 69% female to 56% male.
Some groups are at a greater risk for costochondritis. These include:
Note: Remember that M94.0 is the medical code for costochondritis ICD-10-CM.
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Although there is no diagnostic test for costochondritis, your physician will conduct a thorough evaluation, including asking many questions and performing some examinations to identify the cause of your chest pain. After that, the doctor may resort to one or more of the following:
Lab tests are rarely required to diagnose costochondritis, but based on your medical history, whether you've had pneumonia or coronary artery disease, the doctor may order some tests to rule these possibilities out.
Your physician may advise an X-ray to ascertain if your lungs function correctly. In costochondritis, the result of the X-ray should be normal. Your physician might also recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG) that will help to confirm whether your heart is causing you pain in your chest.
Proper costochondritis treatment can be curative to the symptoms and root causes. Here are some of the most common ways of treating the disease:
Analgesic rest usually restricts physical activities and avoids certain movements that trigger more pain. This helps the inflammation abate.
Ice packs on the affected area help reduce swelling, and heat therapy relieves tension in the muscles.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help manage pain and inflammation. On some occasions, the prescribing doctor will also prescribe more powerful drugs or a corticosteroid injection.
A physical therapist can help improve posture, strengthen muscles around the chest, and increase flexibility in the chest.
This is one of the finest costochondritis treatment therapies. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises will reduce stress and tension around the chest area.
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Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or chiropractic treatment, may prove beneficial to some, but one should consult a medical physician before attending a new kind of therapy.
Costochondritis can be properly managed and treated only when its symptoms and common causes are understood. Lifestyle factors, along with appropriate management and treatment, may provide relief from the discomfort caused by costochondritis.
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