Costochondritis

Symptoms | Treatments

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What is

Symptoms

Causes and Risk Factors

Diagnosis

Treatment

Other Information

What is - Costochondritis

Costochondritis is a chest wall condition caused by inflammation of the joints between the bony ribs and the cartilages. These joints help in chest wall expansion during breathing, and thus can cause aching chest pain during exercise, and can be sometimes mistaken as a heart attack.

Symptoms of Costochondritis

The symptoms of costochondritis include:

A sharp, aching or pressure like pain at the chest area
Pain on touching the affected ribs
Worsening of pain with certain movements such as taking a deep breath, coughing, sneezing or when moving the affected area

Costochondritis - Causes and Risk Factors

The cause of ostochondritis can be related to wear and tear of the chest wall joints, it can also worsen after injury or physical strain to the chest area.

Diagnosis of Costochondritis

To diagnose costochondritis, your doctor may conduct a physical examination, such as examining the affected area for swelling or tenderness.

Treatment for Costochondritis

Once the correct diagnosis is made, treatment involve adequate pain relief, rest as well as lifestyle modifications. This will allow time for the body can recover.