What are the common symptoms of costochondritis. How is costochondritis diagnosed. What treatments are available for managing costochondritis pain. Who is most at risk for developing costochondritis. Can costochondritis be prevented.

Understanding Costochondritis: A Common Cause of Chest Pain

Costochondritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the costochondral junctions, which are the areas where the upper ribs connect to the cartilage that attaches them to the breastbone (sternum). This inflammation can cause significant chest pain, often mimicking more serious conditions like heart attacks. However, it’s important to note that while costochondritis can be uncomfortable and concerning, it is typically harmless and often resolves on its own without treatment.

Despite its generally benign nature, any chest pain in adults should be taken seriously and evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious conditions, particularly heart disease.

Is costochondritis the same as Tietze syndrome?

While often used interchangeably, costochondritis and Tietze syndrome are distinct conditions:

• Tietze syndrome typically has a sudden onset, with chest pain that may radiate to the arms or shoulders and persist for several weeks.
• Unlike costochondritis, Tietze syndrome is characterized by noticeable swelling at the site of pain where the ribs and breastbone meet.
• Costochondritis, on the other hand, does not typically involve visible swelling.

Unveiling the Causes of Costochondritis

The exact cause of costochondritis remains unclear, but several factors have been associated with its development:

• Repeated minor trauma to the chest wall
• Overuse of the arms
• Arthritis conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
• Tumors that migrate from other parts of the body to the chest area
• Respiratory infections, particularly those caused by viruses
• Bacterial infections, especially in individuals who use intravenous drugs or have undergone surgery near the upper chest
• Rare cases of fungal infections

Costochondritis often manifests after physical exertion, minor trauma, or upper respiratory infections, suggesting these events may trigger or exacerbate the condition.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Costochondritis

The primary symptom of costochondritis is chest pain, which typically has the following characteristics:

• Sharp pain in the front of the chest, usually on the left side, near the junction of the breastbone and ribs
• Pain that may radiate to the back or abdomen
• Discomfort that intensifies with deep breathing or coughing
• Pain that subsides when movement stops or breathing becomes shallower
• Tenderness when pressure is applied to the rib joints

In cases where costochondritis is caused by an infection following surgery, additional symptoms may include redness, swelling, or pus discharge at the surgical site.

When should you seek medical attention for chest pain?

It’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• High fever
• Signs of infection at the site of pain
• Persistent or worsening pain despite medication
• Nausea, sweating, or dizziness accompanying chest pain

Immediate medical attention at an emergency room is necessary if you experience:

• Severe breathing difficulties
• High fever unresponsive to fever-reducing medications
• Signs of infection at the tender spot (e.g., pus, redness, increased pain)
• Persistent chest pain accompanied by nausea, sweating, or left arm pain, which could indicate a heart attack

Costochondritis in Children and Adolescents: A Common Concern

Costochondritis is a frequent cause of chest pain in younger populations, accounting for 10% to 30% of all chest pain cases in children. Each year, approximately 650,000 cases of chest pain are reported in individuals aged 10 to 21, with the peak incidence occurring between ages 12 and 14.

Children who regularly carry heavy backpacks over one shoulder may be at an increased risk of developing costochondritis. This highlights the importance of proper backpack use and weight distribution to prevent unnecessary strain on the chest wall.

Are there gender differences in costochondritis prevalence?

In adults, costochondritis shows a notable gender disparity, affecting women more frequently than men. The distribution is approximately 70% female to 30% male, suggesting that hormonal or anatomical factors may play a role in the development of this condition.

Diagnosing Costochondritis: A Process of Elimination

There is no specific diagnostic test for costochondritis. Instead, healthcare providers typically follow a process of elimination to rule out more serious conditions that could be causing chest pain. The diagnostic approach usually includes:

1. Physical examination: Checking for tenderness in the rib joints, particularly over the fourth to sixth ribs
2. Cardiac tests: Such as an echocardiogram (ECG) to rule out heart-related issues
3. Imaging studies: Chest X-rays to examine the lungs and ribcage
4. Blood tests: To check for markers of heart damage or inflammation

If these initial tests come back normal and the physical examination is consistent with costochondritis, a diagnosis may be made. However, for patients with a history of sternum surgery or those at risk for heart disease, additional tests may be recommended to rule out infection as a cause of chest pain:

• Visual inspection for signs of infection at the surgical site
• Gallium scan: A sophisticated imaging study that can detect increased inflammatory activity
• White blood cell count: To check for elevated levels indicative of infection
• Additional chest X-rays: To rule out pneumonia as a potential cause of chest pain

Treatment Options and Home Remedies for Costochondritis

While costochondritis often resolves on its own, several treatment options and home remedies can help manage symptoms and provide relief:

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. These medications should be taken as directed and with caution, especially for individuals with a history of stomach ulcers or kidney problems.

Heat or cold therapy

Applying a heating pad or ice pack to the affected area for short periods can help reduce pain and inflammation. Some individuals may find alternating between heat and cold provides the most relief.

Rest and activity modification

Avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain, such as heavy lifting or intense upper body exercises, can help prevent further irritation of the costochondral junctions.

Gentle stretching and posture correction

Mild stretching exercises and maintaining good posture can help reduce strain on the chest wall and promote healing. However, it’s important to avoid any movements that cause increased pain.

Prescription medications

In more severe cases, healthcare providers may prescribe stronger pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications. In some instances, localized injections of corticosteroids may be recommended to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.

Physical therapy

A physical therapist can provide targeted exercises and techniques to strengthen the chest muscles, improve posture, and reduce strain on the costochondral junctions.

Preventing Costochondritis: Proactive Measures for Chest Health

While it may not always be possible to prevent costochondritis, several strategies can help reduce the risk of developing this condition:

• Practice good posture: Maintain proper alignment of your spine and shoulders to reduce strain on the chest wall.
• Use proper lifting techniques: When lifting heavy objects, bend at the knees and use your leg muscles rather than straining your chest and upper body.
• Avoid repetitive upper body movements: If your job or hobbies involve repetitive arm or chest movements, take frequent breaks and vary your activities when possible.
• Manage underlying conditions: If you have arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, work with your healthcare provider to keep them well-controlled.
• Strengthen chest and upper back muscles: Engage in regular, gentle exercises to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles supporting your chest wall.
• Practice stress-reduction techniques: Stress can exacerbate muscle tension and inflammation, so incorporating relaxation methods like deep breathing or meditation may be beneficial.

Long-term Outlook for Costochondritis Patients

The prognosis for individuals with costochondritis is generally favorable. In most cases, the condition is self-limiting and resolves within a few weeks to months with conservative treatment. However, some patients may experience recurrent episodes or chronic symptoms that require ongoing management.

Can costochondritis become a chronic condition?

While costochondritis is typically acute, some individuals may develop chronic costochondritis, also known as Tietze syndrome. This persistent form of the condition may require long-term management strategies, including:

• Ongoing pain management techniques
• Regular physical therapy
• Lifestyle modifications to minimize triggers
• Periodic follow-ups with healthcare providers to monitor symptoms and adjust treatment plans as needed

It’s important for patients with recurring or chronic costochondritis to work closely with their healthcare team to develop a comprehensive management plan that addresses their individual needs and improves their quality of life.

Understanding costochondritis, its symptoms, and management strategies can help individuals navigate this often-concerning but generally benign condition. By recognizing the signs of costochondritis and distinguishing them from more serious cardiac issues, patients can seek appropriate care and find relief from chest wall pain. As with any medical condition, consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment recommendations.

Costochondritis — Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatment for Costochondritis — from WebMD

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Is Costochondritis?
• Costochondritis Causes
• Costochondritis Symptoms
• Costochondritis Risk Factors
• Costochondritis Diagnosis
• Costochondritis Treatment and Home Remedies
• Costochondritis Prevention
• Costochondritis Outlook
• More

Costochondritis is inflammation of the areas where your upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to your breastbone. These areas are called costochondral junctions. The condition causes chest pain, but it’s typically harmless and usually goes away without any treatment. But any chest pain in adults should be taken seriously, so you should be examined and tested for heart disease.

A rare condition called Tietze syndrome is often referred to as costochondritis, but the two are distinct conditions. You can tell the difference by the following:

• Tietze syndrome usually comes on all of a sudden, with chest pain spreading to your arms or shoulder and lasting several weeks.

• Tietze syndrome causes swelling at the painful area (where your ribs and breastbone meet).​​​​​​​

Doctors don’t know exactly why costochondritis happens, but they do know that some things can lead to it: 

• Repeated minor trauma to your chest wall
• Overuse of your arms
• Arthritis. Costochondritis can sometimes be a sign of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other conditions that affect your cartilage.
• Tumors. These can move from joints and other parts of your body and settle in your chest.
• Respiratory infections caused by viruses 
• Bacterial infections, especially in people who use IV drugs or have had surgery near their upper chest 
• Fungal infections (in rare cases)

Chest pain linked to costochondritis usually comes on after exercise, minor trauma, or an upper respiratory infection.

• Sharp pain in the front of  your chest, near where your breastbone and ribs meet, typically on the left side. It may spread to your back or belly.
• Pain when you take a deep breath or cough. It gets better when you stop moving or your breathing is quieter.
• Tenderness when you press on your rib joints. If you don’t have this tenderness, you probably don’t have costochondritis.
•  If costochondritis happens because of an infection after surgery, you’ll have redness, swelling, or pus discharge at the site of the surgery.

Call your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Trouble breathing
• High fever
• Signs of infection such as redness, pus, and increased swelling at the rib joints
• Continuing or worsening pain despite medication
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Dizziness

Go to a hospital’s emergency room if you have a hard time breathing or any of the following. They’re not usually caused by costochondritis:

• High fever that doesn’t get better with fever reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Signs of infection at the tender spot, such as pus, redness, increased pain, and swelling
• Persistent chest pain of any type when you also have nausea, sweating, or pain in your left arm. These may be signs of a heart attack. If you’re not sure what’s causing your chest pain, go to the emergency room.

Costochondritis is a common cause of chest pain in children and adolescents. It accounts for 10% to 30% of all chest pain in children. Annually, doctors see about 650,000 cases of chest pain in people ages 10 to 21. The peak age for the condition is ages 12-14.

Kids who often carry heavy book bags over one shoulder can be more likely to develop costochondritis.

In adults, costochondritis affects women more than men (70% vs. 30%).  

There is no specific test for diagnosing costochondritis. To rule out a more serious cause of your chest pain related to your heart or lungs, your doctor will probably start with tests like an echocardiogram (ECG), chest X-rays, and blood test for heart damage, among others. 

If those tests come back normal, they’ll likely see if you have tenderness in any of your rib joints, usually over the fourth to sixth ribs.

If you’ve had sternum (breastbone) surgery or are at risk for heart disease, they may recommend getting a test to see if infection is the cause of your chest pain. Doctors will:

• Look for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, and drainage at the site of surgery
• Recommend a more sophisticated imaging study of the chest called a gallium scan, which will show an increase in the radioactive material gallium 
• Check your white blood cell count to see if it is high, a sign of infection
• Recommend a chest X-ray if pneumonia might be a cause of your chest pain

Home Remedies for Costochondritis

These home remedies may provide relief from costochondritis:

• Over-the-counter  pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen as needed
• Using local heat or ice to relieve pain
• Avoiding unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse; avoiding contact sports until there is improvement in symptoms, and then returning to normal activities only as tolerated
• Doing stretching exercises

Medications for Costochondritis

Your doctor may suggest the following:

• Prescription-strength NSAIDs.
• A local anesthetic and steroid injection in the area that is tender if normal activities become very painful and the pain doesn’t get better with medicine.
• Narcotics like hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin) or oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet, Tylox) can help with extreme pain, but, as with any narcotics, there’s danger of becoming addicted to them.
• Steroids. Your doctor can give you a corticosteroid shot directly into a painful joint, but that’s considered something of a last resort.
• Tricyclic antidepressants or cyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline can help ease pain, but they also can have side effects, like weight gain and drowsiness. 
• Antiseizure drugs, usually gabapentin (Neurontin), are typically used to treat epilepsy, but they also may help with costochondritis.
• Infectious (bacterial or fungal) costochondritis should be treated with IV antibiotics. Afterward, antibiotics by mouth or by IV should be continued for another 2 to 3 weeks. You should see a doctor during recovery, and then once a year. 

Surgery for Costochondritis

You may need surgery to remove the sore cartilage if other treatments don’t help. Your doctor can refer you to a surgeon.

Because inflammatory costochondritis has no definite cause, there is no good way to prevent it.

Noninfectious costochondritis will go away on its own, with or without anti-inflammatory treatment. Most people will recover fully.

Infectious costochondritis responds well to IV antibiotics and surgery, but recovery may take a long time.

Top Picks

Costochondritis Information | Mount Sinai

Chest wall pain; Costosternal syndrome; Costosternal chondrodynia; Chest pain – costochondritis

All but your lowest 2 ribs are connected to your breastbone by cartilage. This cartilage can become inflamed and cause pain. This condition is called costochondritis. It is a common cause of chest pain.

The ribs are the skeletal protection for the lungs and the chest cavity. The ribs and rib muscles expand and contract with normal breathing.

Causes

There is often no known cause of costochondritis. But it may be caused by:

• Chest injury
• Hard exercise or heavy lifting
• Viral infections, such as respiratory infections
• Strain from coughing
• Infections after surgery or from IV drug use
• Some types of arthritis

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of costochondritis are pain and tenderness in the chest. You may feel:

• Sharp pain at the front of your chest wall, which may move to your back or stomach
• Increased pain when you take a deep breath or cough
• Tenderness when you press the area where the rib joins the breastbone
• Less pain when you stop moving and breathe quietly

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. The area where the ribs meet the breastbone is checked. If this area is tender and sore, costochondritis is the most likely cause of your chest pain.

A chest x-ray may be done if your symptoms are severe or do not improve with treatment.

Your provider may also order tests to rule out other conditions, such as a heart attack.

Treatment

Costochondritis most often goes away on its own in a few days or weeks. It can also take up to a few months. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain.

• Apply hot or cold compresses.
• Avoid activities that make the pain worse.

Pain medicines, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), may help to ease pain and swelling. You can buy these without a prescription.

• Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.
• Take the dose as advised by the provider. Do not take more than the amount recommended on the bottle. Carefully read the warnings on the label before taking any medicine.

You may also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead, if your provider tells you it is safe to do so. People with liver disease should not take this medicine.

If your pain is severe, your provider may prescribe stronger pain medicine.

In some cases, your provider may recommend physical therapy.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Costochondritis pain often goes away in a few days or weeks.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or the local emergency number, or go to your local emergency room right away if you have chest pain. The pain of costochondritis can be similar to the pain of a heart attack.

If you have already been diagnosed with costochondritis, contact your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing
• A high fever
• Any signs of infection such as pus, redness, or swelling around your ribs
• Pain that continues or gets worse after taking pain medicine
• Sharp pain with every breath

Prevention

Because the cause is often unknown, there is no known way to prevent costochondritis.

Crasto JA, Vaswani RS, Pauyo T, Musahl V. Overview of sport-specific injuries. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.

Hanak JA. Tietze syndrome. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 117.

Kurz J. Costosternal syndrome. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 101.

Last reviewed on: 10/20/2022

Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What is chest myositis? How does it occur? What muscles are affected?

Myositis of the muscles of the chest is an inflammatory process in the muscles of the chest, in which there are painful indurations (they are foci of inflammation) and pain. The thorax is an anatomical formation that consists of the sternum, ribs, spine, and associated muscles. Myositis is an inflammatory process that, by definition, affects muscle tissue. Although, in some cases, it can spread to other places, for example, to the pleura – a film of connective tissue lining the chest from the inside.

What causes myositis of the pectoral muscles?

Various diseases can lead to the inflammatory process. Main causes:

• Infections, among which influenza and SARS are in the lead. In this case, myositis is considered as a complication of an infectious disease.
• Parasitoses. Parasites that live in the body can also cause chest myositis. But this rarely happens.
• Poisoning with certain substances. Another fairly rare reason.
• Features of the profession. Some people are forced to stay in positions for long periods of time that cause damage to the pectoral muscles and the development of inflammation in them. This category includes violinists, pianists, drivers.
• Muscle injuries. Common causes: mechanical trauma, frequent convulsions.
• Bacterial infection. Causes the most severe form of myositis, when a focus of purulent inflammation occurs in the muscle tissue. This is manifested by severe pain, fever, deterioration, malaise. The infection can spread to the pleura, lungs, and other organs. The disease can develop after injuries, non-compliance with aseptic and antiseptic rules during medical procedures.

When you are worried about chest pains, it is difficult to immediately understand what their cause is. Often, first of all, suspicion falls not on myositis of the pectoral muscles, but on problems with the heart, spine, intercostal neuralgia. An experienced doctor will be able to figure out why the symptoms occurred and prescribe the right treatment.

What are the forms of thoracic myositis?

Thoracic myositis may be acute or chronic. In the acute form of the disease, rather severe chest pains are disturbing. If not treated, over time, the course of the pathology becomes chronic. The pain becomes not so strong, and the person often ceases to notice it at all. An aggravation occurs during a cold, a long stay in an uncomfortable position, a change in weather.
Myositis of the chest can occur on the left or right, or on both sides. With left-sided localization, it can mimic heart disease.

There are also two specific chronic forms of the disease that affect different muscle groups: polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Treatment of chest myositis

A neurologist prescribes the treatment of the disease individually for each patient.
First of all, you need to identify and eliminate the cause. If viruses are to blame, as a rule, specific antiviral treatment is not required. They carry out standard measures for a cold, after a while recovery occurs. Bacteria are fought with antibiotics, and parasites are fought with antiparasitics. In case of chronic trauma, rest is recommended, then the correct organization of work and rest.

General principles for the treatment of various forms of chest myositis :

• In the acute form of the disease, rest must be ensured. Damaged muscles must be kept warm, usually the chest is wrapped in woolen cloth.
• To relieve pain, painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used: such as diclofenac, ibuprofen.
• In some forms of myositis, finalgon and other warming ointments have a good effect.
• When the temperature rises, antipyretic drugs are used.
• Physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy exercises are also used.

In the purulent form of the disease, it is often necessary to resort to surgical treatment: the abscess is opened and cleaned.

We will call you back

Message sent!

expect a call, we will contact you as soon as possible

The main manifestations of myositis of the chest muscles are pain in the affected muscles and painful indurations that correspond to foci of inflammation. The disease can occur in two forms:

• In acute myositis the symptoms come on quickly, suddenly, usually during an infection, after prolonged muscle tension, trauma.
• In the chronic form of , the manifestations increase gradually, it can be the result of untreated acute inflammation in the muscles.

Characteristic symptoms of chest myositis

The main symptom of chest myositis is pain. Its intensity gradually increases. Pain is aggravated during awkward movements, deep breaths, prolonged stay in a tense uncomfortable position. When feeling the chest in the area of ​​the affected muscles, pain is noted.

Sometimes swelling, swelling, redness of the skin can be found at the site of the lesion. This symptom is most characteristic of purulent myositis. At the same time, the patient feels weakness, malaise, his body temperature rises.

Protective muscle tension occurs – it helps to limit movement and reduce pain.

Pain in the muscles may disappear for several days, but then a relapse occurs, most often it is provoked by infections, hypothermia, trauma, stress.

Affected muscles become weak, in a chronic course they decrease in size over time – their atrophy develops.

How is chest myositis diagnosed?

Usually, the first thing a patient gets to see a therapist is because he does not know why he began to be disturbed by chest pains and other symptoms. Suspecting the neurological nature of the disease, the doctor refers the patient for a consultation with a neurologist.

A neurologist will ask you about your symptoms, when and how they started, how they have changed over time, what you have been sick with during your life, what chronic diseases you currently suffer from. A neurological examination will be performed. The doctor will press certain points on your chest to determine if there is any tenderness.

Further, to clarify the diagnosis and exclude other diseases, an examination will be prescribed, which may include the following diagnostic methods:

Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray – help to detect foci of pathological changes in the muscles, bones, organs of the chest.

Electromyography – a study during which the conduction of electrical impulses in muscles is evaluated.

Muscle biopsy — the doctor takes a piece of suspicious tissue and sends it to the laboratory for analysis. This helps to diagnose certain forms of myositis, for example, dermatomyositis.

With what diseases is the differential diagnosis of signs of chest myositis carried out?
Similar chest pains and other symptoms described above can also occur with other diseases, such as:

• angina pectoris and other heart diseases;
• diseases of the lungs and pleura – a film of connective tissue that covers them;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

Treatment of infections and inflammation of the mammary glands in the Vyborgsky district of St. Petersburg

In this article, we have described the most common diseases of the mammary glands. The material is for informational purposes only. If you are worried about any tightness in the chest or pain, be sure to consult a mammologist for a diagnostic test.

Orthopedist

Online appointment

Phones:

+7 (812) 30-888-03

+7 (812) 242-53-50

Address clinics: St. Petersburg, Vyborgsky district, Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station, Ozerki, st. Asafiev, 9, building 2, lit. A

Our doctors

Kasyanova Marina Nikolaevna

Surgeon, oncologist, mammologist, proctologist, doctor of ultrasound diagnostics, Ph.D.

Sergey Vladimirovich Borisov

Surgeon, pediatric surgeon, oncologist, mammologist, ultrasound doctor (children, adults)

Prices for services

• Mammologist’s consultation
• Procedures

Pay attention! Prices are for adult patients. Please see the Pediatrics section for the cost of children’s appointments.

Primary appointment (examination, consultation) with a mammologist	2,200
Repeated appointment (examination, consultation) with a mammologist primary	2,500
Appointment (examination, consultation) with an oncologist (mammologist), Ph. D. repeated	2 100

9 0186 Opening and drainage of purulent mastitis (1 square) without the cost of anesthesia

5100
Breast secretion sampling	550
Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) of breast cyst (1 cyst), histology fee not included 9 0187	2100

Lactational mastitis

Most common a type of breast infection is lactational mastitis. With this condition, which occurs when a woman is breastfeeding, women’s nipples become cracked and sore, allowing bacteria from the baby’s mouth to enter the ducts and multiply rapidly in the milk. Sometimes the infection comes from a blocked milk duct. In both cases, the chest becomes hard, reddened, hot and sore.

The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics and painkillers. In some cases, lactational mastitis progresses and forms an abscess, a more serious condition that may require drainage.

Non-lactational mastitis

Non-lactational mastitis is similar to lactational mastitis but occurs in non-breastfeeding women. In some cases, this condition occurs after a lumpetomy followed by radiation therapy in women with diabetes or in those who have reduced immune functions in the body.

Although rare, this condition is usually accompanied by high fever and headache and is treated with antibiotics. Consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic subarreal abscess

Is a common infection of the breast, although it occurs infrequently. If an infection is found before an abscess develops, it can often be treated with antibiotics. Most often it is necessary to make an incision and drain the abscess.

Mastalgia (chest pain)

Classified as cyclic pain (associated with menstrual periods) or non-cyclic. The latter may come from the chest or may come from somewhere else, such as near the muscles or joints, felt in the chest. In some cases, pain can range from minor discomfort to severe. Many women with mastalgia worry more about the fear of cancer than the pain itself.

Cyclic chest pain

The most common type of chest pain is associated with the menstrual cycle and is almost always hormonal. Some women begin to experience pain during ovulation, which continues until the start of the menstrual cycle. The pain may be subtle or so severe that the woman cannot wear tight clothing or endure close contact of any kind. The pain may be felt in only one breast or in the area under the arm.

Doctors continue to study the role of hormones in cyclic mastalgia. One study showed that some women with cyclic mastalgia experienced a decrease in the ratio of progesterone to estrogen in the second half of their menstrual cycle. Other studies have shown that an abnormality in the hormone prolactin can affect breast pain. Hormones can also influence cyclical stress-related chest pain – sensations can increase or change in texture with hormone changes that occur during times of stress.

Hormones cannot give a general response to cyclic breast pain because the pain is often more severe in one breast than the other (steroids tend to affect both breasts equally).

Treatment includes:

• avoiding caffeine
• vitamin E
• low-fat diet
• In some cases, various additional hormones and hormone blockers are also prescribed. These may include:
  • birth control pills
  • Bromocriptine (which blocks prolactin in the hypothalamus)
  • Danazol, a male hormone
  • thyroid hormones
  • Tamoxifen, an estrogen blocker

Noncyclic chest pain 9 0005

Non-cyclic chest pain rather unusual, distinct from cyclic mastalgia and does not change during the menstrual cycle. As a rule, the pain is present all the time and is located only in one specific place.

One of the causes of non-cyclic chest pain is trauma or impact. Other causes may include arthritic pain in the chest cavity and in the area of ​​the neck that reaches the chest.