What is COSTOCHONDRITIS?what is the cause of it?

Answer 1

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

Costochondritis is the most common cause of chest pain originating in the chest wall. It occurs most often in women and people over age 40. However, costochondritis can affect anyone, including infants and children.

Your doctor might refer to costochondritis by other names, including chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia. When the pain of costochondritis is accompanied by swelling it's referred to as Tietze's syndrome.

Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause, and most go away on their own. This makes it difficult to treat. When there's no obvious cause, treatment is aimed at easing your pain while you wait for costochondritis to resolve on its own.

Doctors don't know what causes most cases of costochondritis. Only some cases of costochondritis have a clear cause. Those causes include:

-Injury. A blow to the chest could cause costochondritis.
-Infection. Infection can develop in the costosternal joint, causing pain.
-Fibromyalgia. Recurring costochondritis could be a symptom of fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia often have several tender spots. The upper part of the breastbone is a common tender spot.
-Pain from other areas of your body. Pain signals can sometimes be misinterpreted by your brain, causing pain in places far away from where the problem occurs. Your doctor might refer to this as "referred pain." Pain in your chest can sometimes be caused by problems with the bones in your spine compressing the nerves.

Answer 2

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the inner end of each rib with the breastbone (sternum).
It can occur in any age group and is most common in young adults. Exactly how common it is in the UK is not known but in the US costochondritis has been shown to account for 10 per cent of chest pain episodes in the community and 30 per cent of people with chest pain presenting as an emergency to hospital.
The risk of developing costochondritis increases with any physical activity that causes trauma or strain to the ribcage. It is a benign condition usually of short duration that resolves completely. Sometimes though it can recur or become persistent.

Answer 3

My husband is getting over this alon with severe bronchitis and a pulled muscle in his side. alot of people have already given you the defintion and cause. All I can tell you is the cartilige in the ribs is inflammed and swollen. He was in a lot of pain and unable to lay down to sleep for almost a week and every time he coughed it was like the world was going to end. He is recovering and his doc told him it could take a full 4-6 weeks before he is completely better. They had him on antibiotics, muscle relaxers, pain meds and cough syrup. If you asked because you have this I hope you are feeling better soon!

Answer 4

It is an inflammation of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum. It can be quite painful, however I do not recall the cause.