berthelsen
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Joined: 19 Apr 2005
Posts: 17
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 Posted: 10/08/05 - 15:40 Post subject: |
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Costochondritis is a common form of inflammation of the cartilage where ribs attach to the sternum, the breast bone. The inflammation is usually on one side of the sternum, but it can involve multiple cartilage areas on both sides of the sternum. The symptoms of sternum inflammation sometimes feel like those of a heart attack. Some patients find it more difficult to breathe. The causes of costochondritis are not known and they can involve several factors. Possible causes are genetic predisposition, viruses, and injury. During the acute phase of sternum inflammation, pain is usually worse and it hurts to breathe or move suddenly. The symptoms often disappear within two months but they can also become a chronic condition. When chronic, the pain seems to come and go with sudden movements or lifting heavy objects. Other things that hurt are sneezing, coughing, pulling, pushing, long hours of driving etc. I advise u to minimize these activities until the inflammation of the rib and cartilage areas has subsided. Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and even cortisone injections have been used as therapy for the sternum inflammation.
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