What are the symptoms of costochondritis. How is costochondritis diagnosed. What causes costochondritis. How is costochondritis treated. Can costochondritis be prevented. What are the risk factors for costochondritis. When should you seek medical attention for chest pain.

What is Costochondritis and How Does it Affect the Rib Cage?

Costochondritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This inflammation typically occurs in the area known as the costosternal joint or costosternal junction, where the upper ribs attach to the sternum. The resulting pain can vary from mild discomfort to severe chest pain, potentially mimicking more serious conditions such as heart attacks.

The impact of costochondritis on daily life can be significant, with symptoms often worsening during certain activities or movements. Understanding this condition is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.

Key Characteristics of Costochondritis:

• Inflammation of rib cage cartilage
• Primarily affects the upper ribs and sternum area
• Pain intensity can range from mild to severe
• May be confused with other chest-related conditions

Recognizing the Symptoms: How Does Costochondritis Present Itself?

Identifying the symptoms of costochondritis is crucial for early detection and treatment. The primary symptom is chest pain, which can manifest in various ways and intensities. Understanding these symptoms can help differentiate costochondritis from other potentially serious conditions.

Common Symptoms of Costochondritis:

• Chest pain in the upper and middle rib area
• Pain that may be sharp, aching, or pressure-like
• Discomfort that worsens with movement or deep breathing
• Tenderness when pressing on the affected area
• Pain that may radiate to the back or abdomen

Is the pain always constant in costochondritis? No, the pain associated with costochondritis can vary in intensity and duration. Some individuals may experience constant discomfort, while others might feel pain only during certain activities or movements.

Additional Symptoms to Watch For:

1. Increased pain when lying down
2. Discomfort exacerbated by wearing tight clothing or seatbelts
3. Pain that intensifies with coughing or sneezing
4. Discomfort that increases during physical activity

Can costochondritis symptoms mimic those of a heart attack? Yes, the chest pain associated with costochondritis can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack. However, costochondritis pain is typically sharp and localized, while heart attack pain is often described as a crushing or squeezing sensation that may radiate to the arms, jaw, or back.

Unraveling the Causes: What Triggers Costochondritis?

While the exact cause of costochondritis often remains unknown, several factors have been identified as potential triggers for this condition. Understanding these causes can help in prevention and management strategies.

Potential Causes of Costochondritis:

• Physical trauma to the chest area
• Repetitive strain from activities like heavy lifting
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Severe coughing episodes
• Certain inflammatory conditions

Does costochondritis have a genetic component? Current research does not strongly suggest a genetic predisposition to costochondritis. However, some individuals may be more susceptible due to factors like chest wall anatomy or underlying health conditions.

Exploring the Link Between Infections and Costochondritis:

Infections, particularly respiratory ones, can sometimes lead to costochondritis. This connection is thought to be due to the inflammation and strain placed on the chest wall during severe coughing or respiratory distress. Some infections that may trigger costochondritis include:

1. Viral respiratory infections
2. Tuberculosis
3. Fungal infections
4. Bacterial pneumonia

Risk Factors: Who is More Likely to Develop Costochondritis?

While costochondritis can affect anyone, certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing this condition. Identifying these risk factors can aid in early detection and prevention strategies.

Common Risk Factors for Costochondritis:

• Gender: Women appear to be more susceptible
• Age: More common in young adults and teenagers
• Athletic activities: Participation in high-impact sports
• Occupation: Jobs involving repetitive arm or chest movements
• Medical history: Previous chest injuries or surgeries

Is costochondritis more prevalent in certain age groups? While costochondritis can occur at any age, it appears to be more common in young adults and adolescents. This may be due to the increased participation in physical activities and sports during these years.

The Role of Physical Activity in Costochondritis Risk:

Certain types of physical activities may increase the risk of developing costochondritis. These include:

1. Weightlifting, especially with improper form
2. Contact sports with frequent impacts to the chest
3. Rowing or other repetitive upper body movements
4. Gymnastics and acrobatics

Diagnosing Costochondritis: How Do Doctors Identify This Condition?

Diagnosing costochondritis can be challenging as its symptoms often mimic other conditions. Doctors typically employ a combination of clinical evaluation, patient history, and sometimes diagnostic tests to reach a conclusion.

Steps in Diagnosing Costochondritis:

1. Physical examination
2. Medical history review
3. Ruling out other conditions
4. Possible imaging tests

Are there specific tests for costochondritis? There is no single definitive test for costochondritis. Diagnosis is often made through a process of elimination, ruling out other potential causes of chest pain.

Diagnostic Tools and Techniques:

• X-rays: To rule out bone abnormalities or lung issues
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To check for heart-related problems
• Blood tests: To check for signs of infection or inflammation
• CT scan or MRI: In rare cases, to get a detailed view of the chest wall

How do doctors distinguish costochondritis from other chest pain causes? Doctors often use a combination of physical examination findings, patient history, and the pattern of pain to differentiate costochondritis from other conditions. The tenderness specifically localized to the costal cartilages is a key diagnostic feature.

Treatment Options: Managing Costochondritis Pain and Inflammation

The treatment of costochondritis focuses on alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. The approach can vary depending on the severity of symptoms and individual patient factors.

Common Treatment Approaches for Costochondritis:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Rest and activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Hot or cold therapy

How long does it typically take for costochondritis to resolve? The duration of costochondritis can vary significantly among individuals. Mild cases may resolve within a few weeks, while more severe or chronic cases can persist for several months or even longer.

Medication Options for Costochondritis:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen
2. Acetaminophen for pain relief
3. Prescription-strength NSAIDs for severe cases
4. Corticosteroid injections for persistent pain

Are there any alternative therapies for costochondritis? Some patients find relief through alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or herbal supplements. However, the effectiveness of these methods varies, and they should be discussed with a healthcare provider before use.

Living with Costochondritis: Lifestyle Adjustments and Management Strategies

For individuals dealing with costochondritis, especially chronic cases, making certain lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve quality of life and manage symptoms effectively.

Key Lifestyle Modifications for Costochondritis Management:

• Avoiding activities that exacerbate pain
• Practicing good posture
• Using proper lifting techniques
• Stress reduction techniques
• Gentle stretching exercises

Can dietary changes help manage costochondritis? While there’s no specific diet for costochondritis, maintaining a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce overall inflammation in the body. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be beneficial.

Exercise Recommendations for Costochondritis Patients:

While certain activities may need to be avoided, staying active is important for overall health. Consider these low-impact exercises:

1. Walking
2. Swimming
3. Stationary cycling
4. Gentle yoga or stretching

How can sleep quality be improved for those with costochondritis? Improving sleep can be challenging with chest pain. Try using extra pillows for support, finding a comfortable sleeping position, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule to enhance rest quality.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Serious Chest Pain

While costochondritis is generally not life-threatening, chest pain can be a symptom of more serious conditions. It’s crucial to know when to seek immediate medical attention.

Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Medical Care:

• Severe, crushing chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pain radiating to the jaw, left arm, or back
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting

How can one differentiate between costochondritis pain and heart attack pain? Costochondritis pain typically worsens with movement or pressure on the chest wall, while heart attack pain is often described as a heavy, squeezing sensation that may be accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea.

Follow-up Care for Costochondritis:

Even if diagnosed with costochondritis, ongoing care is important. Consider these follow-up steps:

1. Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider
2. Monitoring pain levels and any changes in symptoms
3. Adjusting treatment plans as needed
4. Discussing any concerns or new symptoms promptly

Is it possible for costochondritis to recur? Yes, some individuals may experience recurrent episodes of costochondritis. Understanding triggers and maintaining preventive measures can help reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatment

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage. It can happen due to infection, injury, and other health conditions.

This condition usually affects the cartilage where the upper ribs attach to the breastbone, also known as the sternum, in an area known as the costosternal joint or costosternal junction.

Chest pain caused by costochondritis can range from mild to severe. Mild cases may only cause your chest to feel slightly tender or some pain when you push on the area.

More severe cases may get worse with certain movements as well as with deep breaths. The condition often goes away within a few weeks or months, but some cases may require treatment.

People with costochondritis often experience chest pain in the upper and middle rib area on either side of the breastbone. This pain can gradually increase over time, or come on suddenly.

Additional symptoms can include:

• pain that becomes worse when lying down
• pain that becomes worse when there’s pressure on your chest, like when you wear a seatbelt
• pain that intensifies with coughing or deep breaths
• pain that increases with physical activity

It’s important to note that symptoms like chest tightness and radiating pain can indicate other conditions, including a heart attack. Seek immediate medical care if you’re experiencing persistent, intense chest pain.

The exact cause of costochondritis in most people is unknown. But conditions that may cause it include:

• trauma to the chest, such as blunt impact from a car accident or fall
• physical strain from activities, such as heavy lifting and strenuous exercise
• certain viruses or respiratory conditions, such as tuberculosis, that can cause joint inflammation
• severe coughing

There’s some research that suggests costochondritis occurs more often in women, especially those who are athletes. You may also be at a higher risk for this condition if you:

• participate in high-impact activities
• recently had a physical trauma or fall that affected the chest area
• have allergies and are frequently exposed to irritants

While there’s no test to diagnose costochondritis, your doctor will most likely ask a series of questions and do a series of tests to determine the source of your chest pain.

Lab tests

Typically, lab tests aren’t needed to diagnose costochondritis, but depending on your personal health history, your doctor may do some tests to see if your chest pain could be due to other issues like pneumonia or coronary heart disease.

X-rays and ECGs

Your doctor may want you to get an X-ray to make sure there’s nothing abnormal going out with your lungs.

If you’re dealing with costochondritis, your X-ray should look normal. They may also recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG) to make sure your heart isn’t the cause of your chest pain.

Many times, diagnosing costochondritis is a matter of eliminating other possible, more serious causes.

See your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing or are feeling intense chest pain.

Always seek immediate emergency care when you have abnormal and debilitating pain in your chest. It can indicate something serious, such as a heart attack.

Getting care as soon as possible limits the possibility of complications, especially if an underlying issue is causing your costochondritis.

Costochondritis can be treated in several ways.

Most cases of costochondritis are treated with over-the-counter medications. If your pain is mild to moderate, your doctor will probably recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).

Your doctor may also recommend:

• prescription-strength NSAIDs
• oral steroids or injection of a steroid into the area involved
• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is a mild electric current that is delivered to the area via a small, battery-powered device

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may tell you to make permanent lifestyle changes if you have persistent or chronic costochondritis.

Some types of exercise can aggravate this condition, including rowing and weightlifting. Manual labor may also have a negative effect.

Your doctor may also recommend:

• rest
• physical therapy
• hot or cold therapy using a heating pad and ice

Normally, treatment of the inflammation and pain causes costochondritis to eventually go away on its own.

If you have chronic costochondritis, the pain may persist or return — even with treatment — when you exercise or engage in certain activities. In these cases, you may need to seek long-term care to make sure that costochondritis doesn’t affect your quality of life and ability to take part in daily activities.

Pains associated with costochondritis can indicate other issues. Chest pain can often mean that you’re having heart or lung issues, so see your doctor right away when you feel pain in your chest to make sure that you’re not having a heart attack or have pneumonia.

The chest pain associated with costochondritis can be a symptom of fibromyalgia. With fibromyalgia, you may experience soreness in your chest in addition to:

• pain throughout your body
• fatigue and inability to rest due to pain
• difficulty focusing or concentrating
• feelings of depression
• headaches

If you experience chest pains along with these other symptoms, talk with your doctor about getting tested for fibromyalgia. Understanding this condition can help you address the symptoms and ensure that it doesn’t interrupt your daily life.

Costochondritis is caused by inflammation and typically presents as chest pain that gets worse with certain movements or pressure. This condition usually isn’t persistent. In many cases, costochondritis goes away on its own.

Mild cases of costochondritis may disappear after a few days. Chronic cases can last for weeks or more, but most cases don’t last any longer than a year.

To lower your chances of developing persistent costochondritis, carry and lift heavy loads properly. Try doing fewer high-impact exercises or manual labor, when possible.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience chest pain while performing any of these activities.

6 possible causes of rib cage pain

Rib cage pain is a common complaint that can result from many factors, ranging from a fractured rib to lung cancer. The pain may be sudden and sharp or dull and aching.

Many cases of rib cage pain are not linked to serious conditions and resolve on their own or with minimal treatment. Others, however, are medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention.

There are many possible causes of rib cage pain. A doctor will diagnose the underlying cause by a physical examination and imaging scans.

Common reasons for rib cage pain include:

1. Injury

Injury to the chest from falls, traffic collisions, and sports-related contact is the most common cause of rib cage pain. Types of injury include:

• broken ribs
• bruised ribs
• fractured ribs
• pulled muscle

Rib cage pain that begins following injury is typically diagnosed with an X-ray to highlight bone breaks and fractures. MRIs and other scans can detect soft tissue damage.

2. Costochondritis

Costochondritis or Tietze’s syndrome is another common cause of rib cage pain.

This condition is characterized by inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage. It usually occurs in the cartilage that joins the upper ribs to the sternum, an area called the costosternal joint.

Rib cage pain due to costochondritis ranges from mild to severe. Symptoms include tenderness and pain when touching the chest area. Severe cases can lead to pain that radiates down the limbs, or pain that interferes with daily life.

Some cases of costochondritis resolve without treatment, while others require medical intervention.

3. Pleurisy

Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is an inflammatory condition that affects the linings of the lungs and chest.

The pleura are thin tissues that line the wall of the chest and the lungs. In their healthy state, they smoothly slide across one another. However, inflammation causes them to rub, leading to significant pain.

Since the advent of antibiotics, pleurisy is much less common than it was. Even when it does occur, it is often a mild condition that resolves on its own. Pleurisy usually lasts from a few days to 2 weeks.

Other inflammatory conditions of the lungs, such as bronchitis, may also cause pain around the rib cage.

4. Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States.

One of the symptoms of lung cancer is rib cage pain or chest pain that gets worse upon breathing deeply, coughing, or laughing. Other symptoms to look out for include coughing up blood or phlegm, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

The outlook for lung cancer is poorer than other forms of cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. People with early-stage lung cancer have a better chance of being cured, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

Metastatic lung cancer, or cancer that begins in one area and spreads to the lungs, is a life-threatening condition. It will also cause pain in the rib cage or chest.

5. Fibromyalgia

This is a chronic condition, causing pain throughout the body. Fibromyalgia is estimated by the American College of Rheumatology to affect between 2-4 percent of people, up to 90 percent of whom are women.

The pain associated with fibromyalgia may be burning, throbbing, stabbing, or aching. These pains are commonly felt in the rib cage, although any part of the body can be affected.

Some research suggests that non-specific chest pain, including rib cage pain, is the most common co-existing condition that leads to hospital admission in people with fibromyalgia.

6. Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is when an artery going into the lungs becomes blocked. The blockage is often caused by a blood clot that has traveled up from one of the legs.

As well as rib cage pain, PE can cause the following symptoms:

• shortness of breath
• rapid breathing
• coughing, including coughing up blood
• anxiety
• lightheadedness
• sweating
• irregular heartbeat

PE is a serious condition that can damage the lungs and other organs due to reduced oxygen in the blood. Anyone who experiences the symptoms of PE should see a doctor.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimate that 30 percent of people who develop PE will die if they do not receive treatment. Fortunately, a quick diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications.

The rib cage consists of 24 ribs, 12 on either side, and it shields the organs of the chest, including the heart and the lungs, from damage.

The ribs are attached to the breastbone, which is the long bone that runs down the center of the chest. They are attached at the front, by cartilage, which is a firm yet flexible tissue. At the back, they are attached to the spine.

The liver is located at the lower end of the rib cage on the right and the spleen is on the left. Both are given some protection by the rib bones. The gallbladder and kidneys lie just below the rib cage.

If any of the components of the rib cage, including the bones or cartilage, or the organs nearby are affected by injury or illness, a person will have pain in or near the rib cage.

Rib cage pain may occur in the chest, below the ribs, or above the naval. As there are several different causes of rib cage pain, the symptoms can vary. As a result, the pain may be:

• sharp
• dull
• aching
• sudden
• slow to develop
• constant
• intermittent
• worse when breathing in or moving

Other symptoms affecting the rib cage can include:

• bruising
• tenderness
• difficulty breathing

Rib cage pain can be attributed to many underlying injuries or medical conditions. A person should always consult a doctor in any case of unexplained rib cage pain.

If the pain or pressure in the chest is severe and breathing becomes difficult, a person should seek emergency medical treatment, as these symptoms could indicate a heart attack.

Chest pain – KDLmed

Chest pain – any pain or discomfort in the chest area. It can be caused by various diseases, including pathology of the heart, blood vessels, pericardium, lungs, pleura, trachea, esophagus, muscles, ribs, nerves. In some cases, chest pain is a sign of damage to organs outside the chest, such as the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas.

Chest pains are very varied: sharp, dull, aching, cutting, stitching, drawing, bursting, burning or pressure. Painful sensations differ in different diseases, but pain is not a specific symptom of a particular disease. Characteristics of pain may vary depending on the age, sex of the patient, concomitant diseases, psychological characteristics. Identifying the immediate cause of chest pain is often difficult and requires a series of diagnostic procedures.

It is one of the most alarming symptoms, as it can be a manifestation of severe, life-threatening conditions that require emergency medical attention, in particular myocardial infarction.

Russian synonyms

Thoracalgia, chest pain, chest pain

English synonyms

Chest pain, pain in the chest, thoracalgia.

Symptoms

Chest pain can be of different nature. Sometimes it is given in the arm, shoulder, shoulder blade, back, neck. The patient may complain not only of pain, but also of tightness, burning, discomfort in the chest area.

Unpleasant sensations may be aggravated by coughing, deep breathing, swallowing, pressure on the chest, changes in body position (permanent or intermittent). Pain and discomfort in the chest may be accompanied by a number of additional symptoms, depending on the underlying disease: belching or bitterness in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

General information about the disease

Chest pain is a manifestation of various diseases, each of which requires a specific medical approach.

• Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Acute chest pain in people over 40 years of age is most often associated with this disease. Myocardial infarction occurs when damage and death of a portion of the myocardium as a result of impaired blood circulation in the coronary vessels. Most often, it is manifested by acute pain behind the sternum or to the left of the sternum, which is given to the back, neck, shoulder, arm and does not decrease when taking nitroglycerin or at rest. Symptoms vary from patient to patient. Elderly women are characterized by atypical symptoms: severe weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, abdominal pain.

• Angina. A condition in which, as a result of atherosclerosis and narrowing of the coronary vessels, the blood supply to the heart muscle is disrupted. Pain in angina pectoris resembles that in myocardial infarction, but occurs during exercise, decreases at rest and is relieved by nitroglycerin.
• Dissecting aortic aneurysm. The aorta is a large vessel that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to organs and tissues. With a dissecting aneurysm, the intima (inner lining) of the aorta ruptures with blood penetrating into other layers of the aortic wall and subsequent dissection of the wall, which most often leads to complete rupture of the aorta and massive internal bleeding. The disease in most cases ends in death within a few hours or days, even with timely diagnosis and timely treatment.

Dissecting aortic aneurysm is most often the result of long-term arterial hypertension, and can also occur with Marfan syndrome, as a result of chest trauma, during pregnancy, or as a late complication of heart surgery.

The pain of a dissecting aortic aneurysm is similar to that of myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, may last for hours or days, and is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

• Pulmonary embolism. Blockage by a thrombus of the pulmonary artery or its branches, through which venous blood flows from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation. As a result, gas exchange is disturbed, hypoxia occurs, and pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases. Chest pain occurs suddenly, increases with deep inspiration, is accompanied by rapid breathing and, in some cases, hemoptysis. The risk of thromboembolism increases after surgery, prolonged immobility, during pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives, especially in combination with smoking, and with oncological diseases.

• Pneumothorax. The accumulation of air or other gas in the pleural cavity – a slit-like space between the membranes lining the surface of the lungs and the inner surface of the chest. Accompanied by acute chest pain, rapid breathing, anxiety, loss of consciousness.
• Pericarditis. Inflammation of the heart sac (pericardium), that is, the serous membrane of the heart. Pain occurs due to friction of the inflamed sheets of the pericardium. Pericarditis may be due to a viral infection, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, renal failure. Often there is idiopathic pericarditis, that is, pericarditis of unknown etiology. The pain is acute, occurs only in the initial stages of the disease, may be accompanied by rapid breathing, fever, and malaise.
• Mitral valve prolapse. Pathology of the valve, which is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. In some people, when the left ventricle contracts, the mitral valve flexes into the atrium and some of the blood from the left ventricle flows back into the left atrium. In most patients, this does not cause discomfort, however, in some, the heart rate increases and chest pains appear, which do not depend on physical exertion and do not radiate, unlike angina pectoris.
• Pneumonia. Inflammation of the lung tissue. Chest pain in pneumonia is usually unilateral, aggravated by coughing, accompanied by fever, malaise, cough.
• Esophagitis. Inflammation of the esophagus. Accompanied by chest pain, swallowing disorder. Symptoms do not improve with antacids.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease. A chronic disease in which the acidic contents of the stomach reflux into the esophagus, resulting in damage to the lower esophagus. In this case, there may be an acute, cutting pain in the chest along the esophagus, heaviness, discomfort in the chest, belching, bitterness in the mouth, impaired swallowing, dry cough.
• Pleurisy. Inflammation of the pleura. The friction of the inflamed pleura causes pain. Pleurisy can be the result of a viral or bacterial infection, cancer, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, rheumatoid arthritis.
• Fractured ribs. In this case, the pain increases with deep breathing and movement.
• Other causes: pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, depression.

Who is at risk?

• People over 40 years of age.
• Obese.
• Patients with arterial hypertension.
• People with elevated blood cholesterol levels.
• Recently had

Chest pain – causes, diagnosis and treatment of chest pain

Chest pain can have a different character and vary in intensity. The condition is called thoracalgia and signals chronic and acute pathologies. Among the causes of pain syndrome: damage to the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, pathology of the musculoskeletal system, neoplasms. Unpleasant sensations are the reason for going to the doctor in order to establish a diagnosis.

Anatomy of the thorax

The thorax is part of the body and protects the vital organs from traumatic impact. It contains the lungs, heart, large vessels. It has the shape of a compressed cone with two holes, called the aperture. The anteroposterior size of the cone is significantly inferior to the transverse one.

The cell is formed by the sternum, a semi-rigid structure of bone tissue and cartilage. It is also represented by ribs, a part of the spine and a muscular frame. Inside is the chest cavity, the central sections of which are occupied by the mediastinum, and the lateral lungs. Below are the curved diaphragm and the upper part of the abdominal cavity.

What to do at home if your chest hurts

Pain may indicate the onset or exacerbation of diseases. Some pathologies are associated with an increased risk of complications or a threat to life. The best solution when a symptom is detected is to contact a medical institution to identify the cause.

How to help yourself

Before treatment begins, symptoms can be stopped as follows:

1. Take a horizontal position. It is necessary to lie on the bed with a pillow or cushion under your head. It is advisable to avoid sudden movements and try not to be nervous.
2. Ensure air supply. You need to open the window, get rid of tight clothes, unfasten the buttons on the collar.
3. Take medicine. The choice of the drug is carried out by doctors, but you can take a nitroglycerin tablet or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on your own. The first drug is effective for pain associated with damage to the heart muscle, and the second group helps to relieve pain against the background of neuralgia, joint damage.

What not to do

If there is discomfort in the sternum, it is strictly forbidden:

1. Continue physical activity. It is important to stop any activity immediately to reduce the risk of complications.
2. Use warm or cool compresses for treatment. Until the cause is established, it is impossible to heat or cool the affected part of the chest area.
3. Performs treatment without medical advice. The patient is not always able to differentiate the cause of the pain syndrome, so the drugs may be ineffective or harm the body.

When to see a doctor urgently

Chest pain in itself is a good reason to see a doctor. For some diseases, you need to call an ambulance without delay. Signs-markers:

1. Sensations arose abruptly, and the appearance was accompanied by darkening in the eyes. Also, the patient may complain of general weakness, shortness of breath, sweating, pre-syncope.
2. Pain is acute, burning, without a clear localization. Such manifestations indicate heart disease.
3. The syndrome is not relieved by nitroglycerin or nonsteroidal agents. If relief does not occur within 15-20 minutes, you should call an ambulance.
4. The patient is unconscious. This is an extremely alarming sign that requires medical attention.

Various causes of chest pain

Chest discomfort is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical help. However, the symptoms do not always indicate a dangerous disease or an existing threat to life.

After COVID-19, influenza or SARS

Infections can cause complications that affect the functioning of organs and systems. The most common discomfort after a coronovirus infection, flu or SARS is caused by:

1. Postcovid asthenia. This is a respiratory dysfunction, manifested by shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, deterioration in performance. Asthenia is caused by the pathogenic effect of the virus on nerve cells, leading to hypoxia, decreased endothelial function, and microthrombosis.
2. Neuropathy. The condition is characterized by damage to nerve fibers by a viral infection. The patient complains of numbness of the extremities, discomfort in the thoracic region a, convulsions, impaired motor functions. Neuropathy can persist from several weeks to six months.
3. Myalgia. The accumulation of lactate in muscle fibers causes acute manifestations in the muscles. Due to the localization of the inflammatory reaction, discomfort is most often found in the sternum.
4. Myocarditis. Covid-19and influenza can cause inflammation of the myocardium. Shortness of breath appears, the rhythm of the heart changes, weakness is detected. Body temperature may remain normal or rise to subfebrile values.

Pain in the center of the chest

Localization of pain in the central part of the chest refers to manifestations of the following conditions:

1. Ischemic heart disease. It is characterized by sharp, spreading pain. Accompanied by swelling of the extremities, respiratory failure and general deterioration.
2. Myocardial infarction. Against the background of a heart attack, the skin turns pale, cold sweat appears, and arrhythmia occurs. In some cases, the patient loses consciousness due to a sharp decrease in the blood supply to the heart. There is a pronounced decrease in blood pressure.
3. Pathologies of the respiratory organs. Discomfort in the central part is characteristic of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia. A similar manifestation may indicate pleurisy.
4. Neuralgia. With intercostal neuralgia, the pain syndrome is acute, aggravated by movement, coughing and sneezing. Osteochondrosis of the spine has similar manifestations, but the source is the spine. The patient feels numbness of the skin or “goosebumps” in the affected area.

Left or right

The heart and great vessels are located on the left side of the chest. Diagnostic measures include ECG and other methods to rule out life-threatening conditions, including:

• coronary syndrome;
• pinched nerve roots and nerve tissue;
• endocarditis and myocarditis;
• deficiency of blood transport to the heart;
• aneurysm dissection;
• spinal injury.

Localization on the left indicates the development of the tumor process, diseases of the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, the formation of a diaphragmatic hernia. Pain manifestations on the right usually signal a lesion of the respiratory system. Probable causes include acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, pneumothorax. This is how pancreatitis, gastritis, cholecystitis, and liver disease manifest themselves.

When inhaling or coughing

Pain in the chest area, aggravated by coughing or taking a deep breath, usually indicates diseases of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. However, other causes affecting the respiratory system or having an infectious nature are also likely. Condition linked to:

1. Development of pneumonia. With the disease, the temperature rises, a cough appears with sputum, sometimes with an admixture of blood. Probably difficulty breathing. Pain and cough may increase with changes in body position.
2. Neuralgia. The diagnosis is often established against the background of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. The appearance is associated with a pinched nerve. May be accompanied by numbness and decreased sensitivity of the skin. Worse after exercise or wearing tight clothing.
3. Pleurisy. Inflammatory process localized on the pleural sheets. Has an infectious or non-infectious nature. It is expressed by a painful reflex cough, a change in breathing. May be complicated by the formation of a purulent focus.

Pain in the chest and shoulder

Occurs against the background of spinal osteochondrosis and neuralgia. It happens as a result of humeroscapular periarthritis – a degenerative-inflammatory lesion of the tissue of the shoulder joint. Among the possible diagnoses is respiratory neurosis, associated with lack of air, compression, and a lump in the chest. The manifestation occurs due to myocardial infarction, against the background of angina pectoris or other heart diseases.

Radiating to the arm

The appearance of pain is often associated with irradiation to the arm. Why it can be so:

1. There are cardiological diseases. Pain radiates to the left arm with angina pectoris. It increases with physical exertion and psycho-emotional stress. Discomfort extends into the shoulder and under the shoulder blade. An angina pectoris attack stops within 10 minutes after taking nitroglycerin. The cause of the deterioration of the condition may be a heart attack. It is characterized by increased intensity of symptoms and lack of response to nitroglycerin.
2. There are spinal lesions. Usually irradiation to the left or right hand is a typical complaint for patients with osteochondrosis. It is important to exclude autoimmune conditions – Bechterew’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis. They also negatively affect the spinal column and cause pain to radiate to the arm.
3. The patient has myalgia. The condition occurs with other diseases or due to traumatic effects. Myalgia accompanies cardiovascular disorders, infectious myositis, endocrine pathological processes. It is a consequence of toxic damage or pharmacological treatment.

Pain in the chest and back

It is also a typical sign of osteochondrosis. Among other causes of chest pain:

1. Scoliosis. Deformation of the spine in three planes, debuting in childhood or adolescence. Scoliosis also occurs after an injury or for idiopathic reasons. Expressed forms are clearly visible on visual inspection. The patient has asymmetry of the shoulder blades.
2. Oncological diseases and benign tumors. Neoplasms are capable of squeezing nerve endings. The combination of chest pain with a burning sensation in the back in women is considered an indirect symptom of breast cancer. Similar manifestations are characteristic of formations in the esophagus and stomach.
3. Experienced trauma. A fall or a traffic accident can negatively affect the musculoskeletal frame. Pain in the chest region occurs with sprains, cell bruises, torn ligaments, and is also observed from several weeks to months after healing.

Radiating to the shoulder blade

The condition is most often associated with pinched nerve roots in the chest and neck. Symptoms are typical for:

• diseases of the pulmonary system;
• cardiac disorders – diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy, congenital and acquired defects of the heart muscle is required;
• diagnoses of the musculoskeletal system – this is how osteochondrosis manifests itself;
• recent back injuries with sternum;
• blood diseases.

Aching (pulling), pressing, sharp (sharp)

Acute pain usually occurs against the background of tissue damage. It is typical for pinched nerve roots of the spine, diseases of the heart muscle, inflammatory processes localized in the respiratory system. Sensations are observed with erosive gastritis, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis. Aching and pressing pain accompanies chronic conditions, and is also a consequence of trauma. Pain can talk about osteochondrosis of the spine or neoplasms.

Breast pain in women

Breast pain can be unilateral or bilateral. A common cause is the size of the mammary glands. In this situation, the woman complains of pain localized in the upper back and in the chest area. Pain syndrome is detected after intense physical exertion due to the accumulation of lactic acid. Pain is accompanied by ovulation and the period of menstrual bleeding, as well as pregnancy and lactation. The listed reasons, as a rule, are not associated with manifestations of diseases and do not require a visit to a doctor.

The symptom may indicate a pathology of the spine, heart. Some pains occur against the background of discharge from the chest, are associated with a feeling of heaviness, a local increase in temperature. They require immediate diagnostic measures aimed at identifying:

• mastitis;
• eczema of the nipples;
• breast cancer.

After training

Chest pain after training is associated with overexertion or injury of muscle tissue. Usually the situation is solved by the correct selection of a system of exercises for a particular athlete. Pain occurs due to hypoxia during intense training or in the absence of a warm-up before starting classes. If the manifestations are regularly repeated, have an acute form and significantly affect the well-being, then you should contact a medical institution. Pain is observed against the background of hemodynamic disturbances caused by atherosclerotic changes in the coronary vessels. Possible heart disease, pinched nerve roots of the thoracic region, damage to the musculoskeletal system, oncology.

The best solution in case of pain is to immediately contact an experienced specialist.

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Diseases that cause chest pain

Chest pain is considered a non-specific symptom. It is extremely difficult to differentiate the cause on your own. A comprehensive assessment of manifestations with the participation of narrow specialists is required. The following are the most common diseases that cause pain.

Ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction

Myocardial injury is provoked by partial or complete blockage of the coronary arteries. Against the background of a decrease in the amount of blood, the nutrition of the tissues of the heart muscle is reduced, which causes the destruction of cardiocyte cells. In severe cases, the condition leads to the death of the patient. The patient complains of dizziness, darkening of the eyes, respiratory and cardiac arrhythmias. The pains in the chest are sharp, squeezing, burning. They can spread to the neck, lower jaw, left arm, and be felt behind the sternum. Symptoms are atypical: slight dizziness, severe fatigue, loss of coordination.

Angina pectoris

With angina, the pain comes on suddenly. The provoking factors are stress, previous physical activity, and a heavy meal. Signs of angina pectoris are squeezing, difficulty breathing, discomfort in the interscapular and epigastric regions. Often an attack is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure. Pain in angina quickly relieves nitroglycerin.

Intercostal neuralgia

Chest pain does not lead to pressure changes or arrhythmias. Risk factors for developing intercostal neuralgia:

• injury to nerves located near the spine and upper back;
• chest pain occurs after surgery followed by a long period of immobilization;
• chemical and drug poisoning;
• inflammatory processes in the lungs;
• congenital developmental features;
• systemic infectious diseases;
• pathology of the spine in acute or prolonged form;
• autoimmune conditions;
• diabetes.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Pain in the chest occurs when the cartilaginous tissues between the vertebrae of the cervical-thoracic region are damaged. The danger of disease of the thoracic region of the spinal column is associated with potential risks for the spinal cord. Without proper therapy, the destruction of the vertebrae extends to the nervous tissue and the endings of the spinal cord. Symptoms debut brightly, with shootings in the epigastric region and neuralgia. In severe cases, the disease captures all 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Pneumonia or tuberculosis

Pneumonia causes pleural pain in the chest. Diagnosis is based on an intense cough, increased bronchophony, the appearance of dry and wet rales. Atypical forms are expressed in muscle pain, dry cough, subfebrile temperature. Pleurisy appears after an injury to the pleura in the thoracic region, due to an infection or a tumor process. Tuberculosis is also expressed by pain. The clinical picture includes sweating, aggravated at night, fever up to 37-38 degrees, weight loss.

Spondylosis, scoliosis, arthrosis

The appearance of pain is caused by a violation of the musculoskeletal system, including:

• spondylosis – wear of the tissues of the spine with degeneration of the tissues of the fibrous ring;
• scoliosis – congenital or acquired curvature of the spine affecting posture;
• arthrosis is one of the connective and bone tissue diseases that provokes dystrophic changes.

Pathologies of the esophagus

Chest pain in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is associated with dyspeptic disorders. The latter include heartburn, impaired stool, belching, flatulence. The patient may also complain of epigastric pain, aggravated after eating or prolonged fasting. Discomfort behind the sternum speaks of an ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, pancreatitis.

Oncological diseases

Oncological formations manifest as pain in the chest. This is a typical symptom of cancer of the stomach, esophagus, intestines. Malignant cells can be localized in the mammary gland or lungs. Additionally, the patient finds pulling pains in the back, under the shoulder blades and in the neck. Similarly, cancer of the thyroid gland and trachea is signaled.

If the symptoms do not go away for a long time, it is necessary to urgently visit an osteopath.

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Diagnostics and research

The choice of activities is made by the therapist. Tactics depends on the general condition of the patient and the proposed diagnosis. In most cases, diagnosis includes laboratory samples:

• general analysis of urine and blood;
• venous blood biochemical sample;
• tests for tumor markers.

Recommended MRI or CT of the spine, tomography of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. An ECG is prescribed to exclude heart muscle diseases. Women with discomfort in the thoracic region are shown ultrasound examinations (ultrasound) and mammography.

Consultation of our specialists will help to make the correct diagnosis.

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Treatment of chest pain

Treatment is selected individually after receiving the results of the diagnosis. It includes pharmacological therapy, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises. Sometimes surgery is the only solution for a patient.

Conservative treatment

Treatment involves medication. The drugs of choice may be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, cardiac drugs for angina pectoris or other conditions. For pain, physiotherapy is recommended: electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, electric shock. A good result is given by physical therapy classes according to individual programs.

Surgical treatment

Medical institutions perform excision of benign and malignant tumors, removal of destroyed vertebrae, relief of deformities of the musculoskeletal system. After surgery, conservative therapy will be required.

Methods of treatment in our clinic

The main direction of our clinic is osteopathy. This is a modern trend based on the relationship of organs with areas of the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic treatment relieves pain, starts the natural processes of cell healing, strengthens the body and restores efficiency.

An osteopath will diagnose all body systems, make the necessary adjustments and draw up a treatment plan.