(Diseases)

On this page, you will find everything you need to know about costochondritis.

What is Costochondritis? Costochondritis is a non-serious swelling or inflammation of the chest cartilage. The cartilage connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum), forming the costochondral joint, and causes sharp pain that can begin suddenly or develop gradually, spreading across the chest.

What Are the Symptoms of Costochondritis? If you have costochondritis, you will feel pain that may start on the left side of the chest and spread to the rest of the chest, sometimes extending to the stomach and back. The pain worsens with movement and pressure on the affected area.

What Causes Costochondritis? The exact cause of costochondritis is not fully clear, but it has been linked to:

Severe coughing.

Respiratory infections.

Overdoing physical exercise.

Excessive use of the arms.

Sometimes, costochondritis can be a sign of other health conditions affecting the cartilage, such as:

Osteoarthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

How is Costochondritis Diagnosed? The doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination. Additional tests may be requested as needed, such as:

Electrocardiogram (ECG).

Blood tests.

X-rays.

How is Costochondritis Treated? It is usually treated with pain relievers, and the inflammation typically resolves within a few days after starting treatment.

How Can You Prevent Costochondritis? There is no way to prevent all causes of costochondritis, but some causes may be avoidable by practicing moderate exercise.

What Are the Complications of Costochondritis? The pain caused by costochondritis can affect a person’s quality of life and prevent them from carrying out daily activities. It may also cause anxiety due to the sensitive location of the pain.

When Should You See a Doctor? You should see a doctor immediately if you experience severe chest pain to determine the cause and take appropriate action.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I have chest pain. How can I tell if the pain is due to a muscular or cartilage problem rather than the heart?

Muscular pain and inflammation of the cartilage usually worsen with movement and increase when coughing or pressing on the painful area. In contrast, heart-related pain is usually severe, feels like pressure on the chest, does not change with movement, and occurs in the presence of risk factors for heart disease,such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking.