Costochondritis

It is inflammation of the joint which is occur between the ribs and sternum. The pain of Costochondritis might be similar like angina or heart attack

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

Pain worsen during deep breath
Pain during cough
Sharp aching pain
Affect more than one rib.

Causes

Some causes of costochondritis include:

Tumors from breast, lung or thyroid may spread to the rib cage
Injury to the chest
Physical strain due to heavy exercise
Arthritis
Infection of joints by virus or bacteria

Diagnosis

After taking history of your signs and symptoms your doctor performs a chest examination to check the swelling, tenderness and any physical sign of chest pain. To rule the other causes, he/she might recommend the chest x-ray and CT scan to see any underlying cause.

Treatment

The main aim of treatment is to reduce the pain. Treatment options include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation and pain.
Anti-seizure drugs also use to treat the pain
Anti-depressant also helpful in chronic pain
Nerve stimulation to mask the pain nerve fiber

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Use pain killers
Avoid activities which worsen the pain
Avoid heavy exercise
Apply hear or ice

Costochondritis