Costochondritis Treatment

According to various surveys, it has been evaluated that about 650,000 cases of chest pain in young people are diagnosed by doctors every year. These people fall in the age group of 10 - 21 years of age and the most common cause of chest pain has been attributed to what is known as the costochondritis. This medical condition may also be referred to as chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia. In some cases, the pain which occurs due to costochondritis, may be accompanied by swelling and then it may be known as Tietze syndrome.

How Is Costochondritis Treated?
Costochondritis is a self-resolving condition, though the pain may stay for a week or two, before it subsides. However, if you find it difficult to manage the pain, then you may take the help of medicines from your doctor. These medicines may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), muscle relaxants and antidepressants.

Apart from taking medicines, you can make yourself more comfortable by following some easy self-care measures at home. It is the pain that makes life difficult, when you are suffering from costochondritis. So, the fist line of treatment is to take rest and avoid activities which might worsen the pain. Rest is essential, however, going for small walks, swimming or other light exercises, which you may feel are not increasing the pain, is acceptable. Take aid of hot packs to get relief from the costochondritis symptoms. Apply heat to the painful area or the chest several times a day and whenever you feel the pain is starting to set in. Ice compress is also not a bad option, but the coldness may not be so comfortable when applied to the chest area.

What Causes It?
Costochondritis, in most cases, has been labeled as an idiopathic condition. This is because, there are no certain or identifiable causes which bring about the onset of this illness. However, there are some factors which have been assumed to be related to the occurrence of costochondritis. These factors include infections in the costosternal joint (location wherein, the ribs are connected to the breastbone), such as viral, bacterial or fungal or diseases such as fibromyalgia. People who might have undergone severe traumatic injuries to their chest have also been found to suffer from the costochondritis symptoms. Apart from all these causes, doctors also consider something known as 'referred pain'. For example, problems in other parts of the body might cause the pain that arise in the condition of costochondritis.

Important Symptoms
By now you must have been aware of the costosternal joint. So, one of the symptoms of costochondritis is the feeling of pain and tenderness in this joint. The pain might be sharp and intense in most cases, however, at times, it becomes dull and gnawing. The pain can occur on either side of the breast bone, but, people might complain against the pain arising from the left side of their chest, most often. In some cases, patients may experience trouble in breathing and feel the pain getting radiated to their back or abdomen. Taking deep breaths or coughing might aggravate the pain, which usually become less, once the coughing ceases or the breathing becomes slower.

Fortunately, costochondritis does not have any sort of complications and it subsides on its own within a week or two. So at any point of time, if you develop costochondritis, then don't fret. Simply take your doctor's advice, keep yourself comfortable and get well soon.