Costochondritis – Symptoms and Causes
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the breastbone. This condition causes chest pain that might feel similar to heart attack symptoms. It typically affects the upper ribs on the left side of the body.
The pain is usually most intense at the point where rib cartilage meets the breastbone. However, it can also occur where cartilage attaches to the ribs.
Some people know this condition by other names, like chest wall pain syndrome or costosternal syndrome. In cases where swelling appears with the pain, doctors may diagnose it as Tietze syndrome.
Medical experts haven’t clearly identified what causes costochondritis. The condition usually improves on its own over several weeks or longer. Treatment focuses on pain relief during recovery.
Signs and Symptoms
Costochondritis pain typically shows these patterns:
- Appears on the left side of the breastbone
- Feels sharp, achy, or like pressure
- Involves multiple ribs
- May spread to the arms and shoulders
- Gets worse with deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, or any movement of the chest wall
Medical Attention for Chest Pain
If you experience chest pain, get emergency medical help right away. Doctors need to check if your pain is costochondritis or something more serious, like a heart attack.
Don’t try to diagnose chest pain yourself. Emergency evaluation is important to rule out life-threatening conditions.
Causes
Costochondritis often happens without a clear reason. Some possible causes include:
- Physical injury to the chest.
- Severe illness affecting the chest area.
- Stress caused by vigorous activities, such as severe coughing.
Doctors sometimes struggle to pinpoint exactly why this condition develops in many patients.
Risk Factors
Certain groups have higher chances of developing these conditions. Women over 40 are more commonly affected by costochondritis.
For Tietze syndrome, teenagers and young adults tend to be the primarily affected groups. Men and women are affected equally.
