Costochondritis- is it cureable?

 

Symptoms, causes and remedies of costochondritis

Costochondritis is recognized to be the inflammation of cartilage which is known to be connecting the ribs to the sternum. The area is referred to as a costochondral joint. The pain feels similar to a stabbing, sharp, heart attack or aching pain. The conditions may be lasting from some days to one year in people.

Symptoms of costochondritis

Here is a list of few of the symptoms of costochondritis:

  • Aching or sharp chest pain
  • Pain on the left of the sternum
  • Pain that has an impact on a rib
  • A sensation of pressure in the chest
  • Reduction of pain while resting as well as breathing in a calm manner
  • Tenderness or sensitivity after pressing on the affected ribs, at the meeting point with the breast bone
  • Pain, travelling from the front part of chest to stomach or back
  • Enhancement in pain at the time of coughing, deeper breaths or doing any sort of strenuous exercise

Causes of costochondritis

Here are few of the prominent causes of costochondritis

  • Trauma or injury in the chest
  • Manual labour
  • Heavy exercise
  • Lifting of heavier items
  • Growth of tumours in the chest which press on, inflame or grow on the cartilage
  • Arthritis
  • Post-surgery needle infection
  • Infections, resulting in inflammation of joints like syphilis, tuberculosis, bacteria, virus, fungi, etc.
  • Respiratory infections like pneumonia, or any sort of illness which can result in heavy coughing.

Natural remedies for the treatment of costochondritis

Here is a list of few of the natural remedies that are useful in order to treat costochondritis

Anti-inflammatory diet

It is recommended to opt for an anti-inflammatory diet in order to procure relief from costochondritis. They are loaded with nutrients. You should go for a diet which is enriched in a wide array of fruits and vegetables. Few of the prominent sources of fruits and vegetables, in this regard, are inclusive of green leafy vegetables, grapes, tomatoes, berries, bok choky, pineapple, avocadoes, cherries, peppers, broccoli, beets, mushrooms, etc.

Using ice or heat

Inflammation or costochondritis pain may be responding to ice packs or heating pads. You should refrain from using ice or heat for above fifteen minutes all at once. It is recommended to wrap the sources of cold or heat in washcloth or towel for avoiding damage in the skin.

Practising costochondritis stretches

Costochondritis exercises play an indispensable role in the management of sternum pain. In accordance with studies, the targeted stretching exercises are useful in bringing an improvement in the pain in the patients, suffering from costochondritis.

Healthy fats

It is recommended to include a wide array of healthy fats in the diet. The enriched sources of healthy fat are inclusive of olive oil, fatty fish, coconut oil, walnuts. You can even include ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, dark or cocoa chocolate in the diet. You should also refer seasonal food products along with bone broth, ginger, and turmeric with an eye to getting an additional boost in the anti-inflammatory diet.

Turmeric

Turmeric is effective in order to fight inflammation. It is also effective in order to manage pain. At the same time, it plays an indispensable role in bringing an improvement in the functions and pain, as well as prevention of inflammation