Actor Chhavi Mittal who emerged victorious in her battle with breast most cancers lately posted about her costochondritis analysis. A painful chest situation, costochondritis happens when cartilage connecting ribs and breastbone will get infected resulting from harm, repetitive coughing or negative effects of a remedy. (Also learn: Chhavi Mittal on now battling Costochondritis: Even breathing gets painful at times)

“I have pain while breathing, or using my hand, or arm, or lying down, or sitting, or laughing or pretty much everything. No, I’m not always positive about it, but I’m rarely negative. So, holding my chest in my hand, I went to the gym (my happiest place) coz u know what? We all get knocked down, but do we get up again? Well I do!” wrote Chhavi in a latest Instagram publish

What is costochondritis?

“Costochondritis is a painful condition of the chest caused by inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. The site of inflammation can either be at the junction of the rib bone with the cartilage or the junction of rib cartilage to the breastbone (known as sternum),” says Dr Sumit Batra, Director – Department of Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.

Causes of costochondritis

The reason behind costochondritis is often not recognized. Sometimes it may be attributable to harm to the chest area, gymnasium workout routines involving lifting weight or repetitive coughing.

Patients with different medical situations like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia may have costochondritis. Infection is among the uncommon causes of costochondritis.

Symptoms of costochondritis

Dr Batra talks intimately about signs of costochondritis:

• Costochondritis is extra generally seen in girls older than 40 years.
• Costochondritis often causes sharp ache within the entrance of chest that will get worse with actions of chest or higher physique.
• Pain may get aggravated by deep respiration, mendacity down or urgent over the positioning of ache.
• Left facet of the physique is extra generally concerned and a couple of rib might be concerned on the identical time.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is often made by medical examination and ruling out different critical causes of chest ache. In most circumstances, no additional exams are required. Sometimes and X-ray of the chest or ECG could also be required to rule out different situations.

Can it get handled?

“Costochondritis is a self-limiting condition that gets better on its own with time. It can last for a few weeks to a few months.

Anti-inflammatory tablets like Ibuorofen or Naproxyn can help in controlling pain. Local application of analgesic cream is also useful. Physical therapy that includes gentle stretching exercises and electrical nerve stimulation can also be useful in controlling symptoms. A steroid injection locally at the painful site may be required in cases where pain is not settling down. Surgery is usually not required unless there is a specific reason e.g., infection,” provides Dr Batra.