Costochondritis And Tietze's syndrome

Costochondritis is a common form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attached to the breastbone, the sternum. The inflammation can involve multiple cartilage areas on both sides of the sternum but usually is on one side only.

 The causes of costochondritis are not known and may involve several factors. Possible causes include heredity (genetic predisposition),viruses, and trauma(injury).

 Costochondritis can be an independent condition by itself or sometimes can be a feature of a more widespread disorder. Some of the illnesses that can feature costochondritis include fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disorders.

 Costochondritis is distinguished from Tietze's syndrome, a condition also involving the same area of the front of the chest, by the presence of swelling. Costochondritis is not associated with swelling, as opposed to Tietze's syndrome, where swelling is characteristic. Tietze's syndrome is an inflammation of the costochondral cartilages of the upper front of the chest that involves swelling of the joint.

 While both costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome feature localized pain and tenderness in the front of the chest, Tietze's syndrome also causes swelling over the ribs and cartilage near the breastbone (sternum). Redness, tenderness, and warmth can also be present, but a localized swelling is the distinguishing finding. The pain is variable, often sharp, can be confused with heart pain, and can last from hours to weeks. It can cause difficulty with sleeping and even rolling over in bed is sometimes painful.

Diagnosis
 Costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome are diagnosed based on the typical history of pain localized to the cartilage close to the breastbone as well as the examination findings of tenderness. Swelling is also noted in patients with Tietze's syndrome.

Treatment
 Costochondritis can be aggravated by any activity that involves stressing the structures of the front of the chest cage. It is generally best to minimize these activities until the inflammation of the rib and cartilage areas has subsided.

Rest, anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and cortisone injections have been used as therapy for the inflamed, painful cartilage of both costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome. Ice packs applied to local swelling can sometimes help to reduce pain and inflammation. Local analgesic patch  can reduce pain. 

I've been suffering from this problem since years, it gets worse when the weather changes cold or due to asthma, I do get bouts of severe cough, making it worse for me. The pain almost mimics heart attack pain ( of course, I've enlarged heart, hiatus hernia and so on to add to the problem). But life has to go on, right ? Earlier, I was given the cortisone shot right into my ribs twice, of course , the pain takes a long time to subside, like this time, it has been going on for more than a month, but worse since a week ! So, like what my daughter, who is a Dr., told me, resting, as she knows my body much better than anyone. Really, happy to have her around, as her diagnosis has been very good from the time she was studying her M.B.B.S. itself.

 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

9 serious conditions that mimic heartburn

HEARTBURN :

Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest.

Most of the time, your doctor will be able to identify whether you have heartburn or GERD by doing tests.

Here are nine other conditions that can cause heartburn-like pain.

1. Heart Disease - 

Angina, or chest pain caused by lack of blood flow to the heart, can feel a lot like heartburn.

"The major key is if you're getting heartburn when you're doing strenuous or moderate activity,"  according to a doctor.

If you're 50 or older and getting heartburn—especially if you haven't had this kind of pain before—it can raise suspicion of angina. Suspicions can also be raised if you're younger but have heart risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

2. Gallstones - 

Although gallstones don't always cause symptoms, a stone blocking your bile duct can hurt, usually in the middle or upper-right side of the abdomen.
Pain may be cramping, dull, or sharp, and often strikes minutes after you eat.

If you're experiencing stomach pain after meals that doesn't improve after you take an over-the-counter acid-suppressing medication, gallstones should be suspected, says a doctor.

3. Stomach ulcer -

Ulcers can cause a gnawing, burning sensation, usually felt in the upper abdomen. The pain can find its way up to the chest.

Acid-suppressing medications may relieve ulcer pain. But ulcers are usually caused by Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that inflames the stomach lining, so you will need to take antibiotics to clear the infection.


Certain anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen), and osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates, can also cause stomach ulcers.

4. Hiatal hernia - 


A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the upper stomach pokes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, rather than staying in the abdominal cavity where it belongs.

This can push food and stomach acid up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Other signs of hiatal hernia include chest pain, belching, and nausea. If you have heartburn due to hiatal hernia, your doctor will typically prescribe acid-suppressing drugs, and recommend lifestyle changes like eating smaller meals, avoiding alcohol, and not eating right before bed. In rare cases, surgical repair may be needed.

5. Esophageal cancer - 

Esophageal cancer is rare, but its incidence is rising rapidly in the United States .

"If you have heartburn, it might be a sign of esophageal cancer, but it's highly unlikely,. Your doctor may decide to order an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus if you've got long-standing heartburn, especially if you smoke or drink heavily, both of which are risk factors for esophageal cancer.

This test involves passing a tube with a light and a camera at one end down your throat into your esophagus. During the test, your doctor can look for abnormal areas as well as collect tissue samples to test for cancer.

6. Gastroparesis - 

Poor control of diabetes can lead to nerve damage, which can affect the workings of your digestive tract. This is called gastroparesis, and it dramatically slows the movement of food through the stomach and can cause heartburn.
Treatment can include dietary changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding fat and fiber, medications, and, for people with very severe symptoms, inserting a feeding tube or an implanted device that emits electrical pulses mimicking stomach contractions.


7. Esophagitis -

Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, can result from frequent acid reflux. This condition can in turn lead to more heartburn, as well as difficulty swallowing.

The esophagus can also become inflamed from taking certain painkillers and osteoporosis medications, particularly if the pills are taken without water, allowing them to remain in the esophagus.

A third type of esophagitis, called eosinophilic esophagitis, occurs when white blood cells known as eosinophils invade the esophagus. The condition is often allergy-related, so treatment requires identifying and avoiding the offending foods. Doctors may also prescribe steroid medications to ease inflammation.

8. Pleuritis or costochondritis - 

Inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, known as pleuritis or pleurisy, can cause heartburn-like chest pain. Pleuritis should be suspected , if the pain or burning gets worse when you take deep breaths or move around.

Pleuritis is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, and resolves when the infection does.
Costochondritis—an inflammation of the cartilage anchoring ribs to the breastbone—can cause sharp pain along the breastbone or sternum. It can be related to injury or infection, and typically is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines, pain relievers, and rest.

9. Anxiety - 

Although anxiety won't cause GERD, it can cause heartburn and make GERD symptoms worse.

 A person can have both anxiety-related heartburn and GERD-related heartburn. One of the signs that it's not just reflux is that treating the reflux problem doesn't make it any better.

Reducing anxiety and stress through, for example, exercise, relaxation, and therapy, can also ease heartburn.