Musculoskeletal chest pain can be difficult to diagnose due to its many possible causes and large area of pain. Common causes include costochondritis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. It is important to quickly differentiate it from life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks. Treatment includes pain management and addressing underlying conditions.
Musculoskeletal chest pain is pain generated in the rubbery cartilaginous areas of the chest wall. The exact cause of musculoskeletal chest pain can be difficult to ascertain, as there are many possibilities and the pain can cover a large area. Most musculoskeletal chest pain falls into two areas: isolated pain and systemic pain. In any case, several common causes are related to its presentation. In most cases, the cause is determined through a process of elimination.
Chest pain must be quickly differentiated from other types of chest pain that can become life-threatening, such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Once these and other potentially life-threatening conditions are present, the examination of common causes of musculoskeletal chest pain can begin. The types of tests vary according to the suspected category.
The most common cause of musculoskeletal chest pain is costochondritis, which creates pain in the cartilage that connects the breastbone and ribs. This type of chest pain falls into the isolated category and features a sharp pain where the ribs and breastbone meet. Patients often believe they are having a heart attack, as the level and location of the pain is similar to that of a heart attack. There is no obvious cause for costocronditis. Doctors treat the pain symptoms and tell the patient that it will take time to resolve and for the chest pain to subside.
The most common symptoms of this disorder include a painful cough, difficulty breathing, and sharp pain when taking deep breaths. The main difference between musculoskeletal chest pain caused by costochronditis and a heart attack is that the pain in costochronditis is very specific, whereas heart attack pain is more widespread. Both conditions often cause pain in the left breastbone.
Another common cause of musculoskeletal chest pain is arthritis. Both non-rheumatic and rheumatic disease can cause chest pain as a primary symptom. Blood tests can help determine if the patient has arthritis, and if so, further tests may be done to figure out which type is present. Treatment for chest pain due to arthritis includes arthritis medications and pain relievers.
Patients with fibromyalgia frequently complain of musculoskeletal chest pain. The disorder presents with widespread pain at identified trigger points, including the chest. Psychological stress, injury and physical trauma, including accidents or surgery, are precursors to fibromyalgia accompanied by chest pain. Treatment for the symptom of chest pain includes pain medications and fibromyalgia medications.
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