Contents:
- Medical Video: What Causes Osteoarthritis Joint Disease? - Manipal Hospital
- Various causes of sore thorax
- 1. Costocondritis
- 2. Broken breastbone
- 3. Sternoclavicular joint injury
- 4. Injury to the collarbone
- 5. Tense muscles
- 6. Digestive problems
Medical Video: What Causes Osteoarthritis Joint Disease? - Manipal Hospital
Most people who feel chest pain in the middle consider this to be a heart attack. Even though in many cases, pain in the chest is not always related to the heart. Chest tightness may be caused by injury to the breastbone or certain digestive problems which then affect the breastbone itself.Learn more about the most common causes of breast bone pain in this article.
Various causes of sore thorax
The breastbone (sternum) is a longitudinal flat bone located in the center of the chest. The breastbone is involved in many upper body movements. This bone is connected to the ribs which protects the body's vital organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach and liver. As a result, many medical conditions actually have nothing to do with the sternum but cause pain in your chest.
1. Costocondritis
Costocondritis is one of the most common causes of breast bone pain.This condition occurs when the cartilage between the breastbone and ribs becomes inflamed or irritated. Costocondritis can occur due to osteoarthritis, but it may also occur without a clear cause.
Costocondritis symptoms include:
- Sharp pain right in the middle of the chest.
- The chest hurts when sneezing, coughing, or taking a deep breath.
- Feeling discomfort in the ribs.
Costocondritis usually disappears after a few days. But if you have certain concerns about this condition, you should immediately consult a doctor.
2. Broken breastbone
Like fractures in other parts of the body, a sternal fracture can cause severe pain in the area of the chest and upper body part.
The most common cause of this condition is due to a hard impact in the center of the chest, such as a driving accident, getting hit while in sports, falling or doing other risky physical activities. If you have a breast fracture, you should get medical attention immediately. This is to anticipate the development of the risk of further injury to the heart and lungs.
3. Sternoclavicular joint injury
The sternoclavicular joint connects the top of the sternum with the collarbone (clavicle). Well, an injury to this joint can cause a sternum to become painful which can spread to the area at the top of the chest where the joints are located.
Symptoms of steroclavicular joint injuries include:
- Feeling pain, pain, and swelling around the upper chest or collarbone area.
- Difficulty or pain when moving the shoulder.
- "Crack" sounds around the joint.
4. Injury to the collarbone
The collarbone is directly related to your sternum. Therefore, the presence of wounds, dislocations, fractures, or trauma in this bone will make the sternum hurt. Common symptoms of collarbone injury include:
- Bruises or lumps at the site of the injury appear.
- Great pain when you try to move your arms up.
- Swelling or pain around the collarbone area.
- "Crack" sounds when you nod your arms.
- Abnormal shoulder position like a slight drop.
5. Tense muscles
The breastbone and ribs are enveloped by many muscles attached to it. Without realizing it, a severe cough or excessive exercise can cause your chest muscles to tighten. And, if you feel pain when pressing on your chest wall, it might be caused by a musculoskeletal injury, not caused by the heart.
6. Digestive problems
The sternum is right in front of some of the main digestive organs. That is why all conditions related to your esophagus, stomach and intestines can cause pain in the chest.
One of the most common digestive problems that causes chest pain is heartburn, which occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus. This condition generally occurs after you eat foods that trigger stomach acid to rise.
