What is costochondritis? Many people mistake this condition for a heart-attack or other types of heart problems, however, costochondritis is actually an inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum or breastbone. This connection is also known as the costosternal point, and when inflamed it can cause chest pain and tenderness. Here are a few things you should know about this condition:

1)     Doctors have many different names for this condition. Some include chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome, and costosternal condrodynia. If there is swelling in addition to the pain caused by the condition, they may refer to is as Tietze Syndrome.

2)    Many cases of costochondritis have no readily apparent cause, and will be treated by focusing efforts on relieving pain, while simply waiting for the condition to improve on its own over time.

3)    Some causes for costochondritis include: an injury or blow to the chest, physical strain such as heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, severe coughing, arthritis, infection of the rib joints, and tumors.

4)    Pain and tenderness caused by this condition will usually occur on the left side of the breastbone, often impacting more than one rib at a time, and will worsen when coughing or taking deep full breaths.

5)    This condition is more likely to occur in women and in people over 40 years of age, however, if you feel chest pain at any age it is a good idea to get it checked out by a professional

6)    When you make an appointment to see a doctor about chest pain, it is a good idea to make a list of any possible contributing factors, including dietary and exercise habits, any supplements or medications you are currently taking, any medical conditions you may have, and every sign or symptom you have experienced.

7)    Having a list of questions for the doctor is also important. These questions can included asking about tests, treatment, restrictions, self-care, resolution timeline, and other signs or symptoms to watch for. Bringing a relative or friend can also be helpful to some, as they can often remember the doctor's instructions in case you missed or forgot something.

8)    The examination to determine costochondritis is relatively simple. The physician may feel along the breastbone looking for tender or swollen areas. Another possible test they may ask you to do is to move your arms and rib cage to trigger the symptoms and location of pain centers. Other tests may be ordered to rule out other possible causes of chest pain like heart-attacks, heart disease, and lung disease, using tests such as x-rays of the chest, and electrocardiograms.

9)    In most cases, the conditions goes away on its own, and the treatment for it focuses mainly on easing the symptoms and pain. Depending on the amount of pain, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain medications, or prescription pain medications. They may also recommend physical therapy, such as stretching exercises and nerve stimulation. 

If you are experiencing any type of chest pain, it is important to see a doctor right away in order to ensure that there is no life-threatening cause.