The best sleeping position for costochondritis is in an elevated position which can help reduce the pain.
Costochondritis cannot be seen on an Xray or other imaging test although an Xray is most commonly done for Costochondritis to rule out other conditions.
There is also no other laboratory test to confirm or diagnose costochondritis.
Costochondritis can be on the right side although the pain with costochondritis is most often felt on the left side of your chest.
Chest pain is one of the main and most common symptoms of costochondritis and can happen when the rib cage cartilage becomes inflamed and the pain may be mild or severe.
A costochondritis flare up will feel like suddenly sharp or stabbing pain when you move your torso or move your chest.
Certain movements such as breathing, taking deep breaths, breathing heavily, coughing, sneezing or vomiting can make the costochondritis pain worse.
The warning signs of costochondritis are less pain when you stop moving and breathe quietly, sharp pain at the front of your chest wall that may move to the back or stomach, tenderness when you press on the area where your rib joins the breastbone and increased pain when you cough or when you take a deep breath.
The costochondritis makes your chest feel tight or heavy. started with a shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick or being sick.
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage which connects your rib to your breastbone (sternum).
Pain caused by costochondritis can also mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.
To check for and diagnose costochondritis your doctor will feel along your breastbone for tenderness or swelling.
The doctor might also move your rib cage or your arms in certain ways to try to trigger symptoms.
Tietze syndrome is very similar to costochondritis, another type of irritation in your costochondral joint.
The biggest difference between them is swelling and which ribs they usually affect.
Costochondritis can be made worse by any activity that places stress on your chest area, for example strenuous exercise or repetitive movements.
Any movement that makes the pain in your chest area worse should be modified until the inflammation in your ribs and cartilage has improved.
Costochondritis might feel worse when you lay down to sleep because your body weight causes further straining onto the already stretched rib joints around your back. Sleeping in an elevated position can help to reduce the degree of pain.
Giving your irritated costochondral joints time to heal is the best thing to do for costochondritis.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or acetaminophen can relieve your pain.
Foods you should avoid with costochondritis include.
Acidic Foods. If you have Costochondritis, acidic foods such as tomatoes, orange and grapefruit juice, and tomato sauce must be avoided.
Fried Foods. One of the significant triggers for inflammation is fried food.
Dairy.
Processed Foods.
Alcohol.