Costochondritis or costosternum syndrome is a swelling of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum and causes pain similar to that of a heart attack. It is not known why it appears and it usually disappears after a few weeks. It mainly affects the left side of the sternum. It’s not serious. It is more common in women and in those over 40 years of age.
Causes of costochondritis
There is not always a clear cause
Typically, it is unknown why costochondritis occurs. There are times, however, in which we can associate costochondritis with other factors such as the existence of an injury in the area, the appearance of arthritis or the presence of a tumor.
Symptoms of costochondritis
Pain in the affected area
The main symptom of this disease is constant pain in the sternum area, with spikes of greater intensity when coughing. The pain may disappear after about a week or remain for several weeks.
Diagnosis of costochondritis
Physical examination
The doctor will perform a physical examination in the sternum area to check what type of pain the patient has. This is a pain that can be confused with that of heart disease. An examination by a doctor is essential, since there is no test that can confirm the diagnosis of costochondritis.
Costochondritis treatment and medication
Disappears without treatment
Costochondritis disappears on its own in most cases, within several weeks. The doctor may order treatment with anti-inflammatories to reduce pain. Treatment with tranquilizers and antidepressants can also be considered.
Costochondritis prevention
There is no prevention
There are no effective methods of prevention of costochondritis. However, if characteristic pain appears, it is advisable to do stretching exercises, especially of the chest muscles. Additionally, you should avoid activities that make the pain worse.
This article was published in La Vanguardia on November 7, 2020
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