Actor Chhavi Mittal who emerged victorious in her battle with breast most cancers lately posted about her costochondritis prognosis. A painful chest situation, costochondritis happens when cartilage connecting ribs and breastbone will get infected attributable to damage, repetitive coughing or unwanted side 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 current Instagram put up

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 for costochondritis is normally not recognized. Sometimes it may be attributable to damage to the chest area, health club workout routines involving lifting weight or repetitive coughing.

Patients with different medical situations like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia can even have costochondritis. Infection is without doubt one of the uncommon causes of costochondritis.

Symptoms of costochondritis

Dr Batra talks intimately about signs of costochondritis:

• Costochondritis is extra generally seen in ladies older than 40 years.
• Costochondritis normally causes sharp ache within the entrance of chest that will get worse with actions of chest or higher physique.
• Pain can even get aggravated by deep respiration, mendacity down or urgent over the location of ache.
• Left facet of the physique is extra generally concerned and multiple rib could be concerned on the identical time.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is normally made by medical examination and ruling out different critical causes of chest ache. In most instances, no additional checks 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.