Costochondritis is a condition that causes pain in the chest that may mimic a heart attack. But this pain is actually caused by inflammation of the cartilage between your ribs and breastbone (the costosternal joints). This makes it painful to sneeze, cough and breathe normally.
The cause of Costochondritis isn't always clear but it may be due to physical stress or minor injuries such as from heavy lifting or strenuous exercise or from chronic coughing. Sometimes it may also occur without any cause.
Costochondritis is pretty common and can affect anybody but is most common among young adults and teens. The condition is usually not serious and often resolves on its own with rest and simple home treatments. For people with persistent or serious symptoms, consult a doctor for better diagnosis and management.
The inflammation of the cartilage which links the ribs to the breastbone can be the root cause of Costochondritis, which is a typical reason for chest pains. This discomfort is sometimes alarming because it mimics more serious heart conditions. Knowing the potential triggers may help with managing or preventing this condition.
Physical Strain: Excessive physical activity such as lifting weights, strenuous workouts or forceful activities can push against the chest and result in inflammation of the cartilage.
Injuries: Direct blows to the chest during accidents, sports or falls can cause acute inflammation of the chest cartilage and lead to Costochondritis.
Repetitive Movement: Repetitive activities involving upper body movement such as rowing or lifting can wear away the cartilage and cause inflammation.
Arthritis: Several arthritis conditions, for example rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, spread their inflammatory effects into the cartilage of the ribcage.
Joint Infections: Sometimes the cartilage becomes infected (after surgery, trauma, or exposure to infectious agents) and it causes Costochondritis.
Respiratory Illnesses: Chronic coughing associated with respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis or flu can repetitively stress the rib cage and cause Costochondritis.
Fibromyalgia: Individuals with fibromyalgia (a chronic pain disorder) may also experience Costochondritis.
The chest pain associated with Costochondritis is often alarming because it resembles more serious conditions such as heart attacks. But it is actually pain from inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. Understanding the symptoms of Costochondritis may help distinguish it from other medical issues and help with treatment.
The signs and symptoms of Costochondritis include:
The most common symptom is a sharp pain in the chest, particularly the top rib or where your ribs attach to the breastbone. This pain may get worse if you move or breathe deeply.
The area in between the breastbone and the ribs becomes very sore to touch and pressing onto the chest is uncomfortable.
Activities that move the upper body (lift, pull, or strenuous exercise) can worsen the pain.
Taking a break and resting often eases the pain, because the inflammation has time to subside without further irritation.
The pain could spread through the chest area to the arms or shoulders occasionally, imitating symptoms of a heart attack.
Sometimes deep breaths can be painful and cause difficulty breathing, especially during flares of the condition.
The sharp pain may lessen but a dull ache may remain in the chest area when the person is not moving.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Costochondritis by combining ancient Ayurvedic knowledge and the latest advances in modern medicine to achieve the desired results. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
Personalised Ayurvedic Medicines: Custom herbal prescriptions aimed at balancing the doshas and improving mood stability.
Yoga, Meditation, and Mind-Wellbeing: Relaxing techniques designed to enhance relaxation and mental health.
Ayurvedic Therapies: Treatments like Panchakarma and massages help detoxify the body and stabilise emotional health.
Dietary & Lifestyle Changes: Tailored advice on lifestyle and dietary adjustments to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Ayurvedic medicine offers several herbal medicines to treat Costochondritis symptoms naturally. These herbs help reduce inflammation, pain and balance the internal energies (doshas) of the body. Here are some effective Ayurvedic medicines commonly prescribed for Costochondritis.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking ginger tea or making a paste of ginger powder and water can ease the pain and irritation of Costochondritis.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Turmeric consists of curcumin, a substance which is anti-inflammatory and acts as a pain-killer. Turmeric in your diet or as a supplement can reduce the symptoms of Costochondritis.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Ashwagandha is an adaptogen which helps the body deal with stress and pain. It also has anti-inflammatory action against Costochondritis.
Arjun (Terminalia arjuna): Arjuna is usually used in Ayurveda for promoting cardiovascular health and also could ease chest discomfort as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata): Boswellia is used in Ayurvedic medicine because of its anti-inflammatory properties and also can help alleviate the pain and irritation of cartilage of the chest area.
Yes, stress can worsen Costochondritis by causing more inflammation and muscle tension in the chest.
Costochondritis is not contagious. It is a chest cartilage inflammation and does not spread from person to person.
Yes, children can also get Costochondritis, but it's more common among adults and teens.
Costochondritis does not affect the heart directly. But it causes chest pain that can be confused for heart problems.
By strengthening the chest and reducing tension, gentle exercises, such as stretching and yoga, may ease symptoms.
Yes, avoid deep twisting and high-bending poses that compress the chest, which can worsen the symptoms.
Ayurveda considers chest pain to be an imbalance of body energies (mainly Vata and Kapha) and recommends holistic treatment to restore balance.
Ayurvedic remedies aim to manage symptoms and inflammation and can offer long-term relief; even though individual results may differ.
Improvements can be seen after a few weeks of consistent Ayurvedic treatment, depending on severity and individual response.
