9. Costochondritis
Costochondritis is a condition in which the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum becomes inflamed. Often more than one of the several joints is affected in those with costochondritis. It is unknown why, but women are much more likely than men to experience costochondritis. The main way that costochondritis is diagnosed is by the process of elimination, in that other more serious causes of chest pain are ruled out.
The main goal in the treatment of costochondritis is to reduce the impact of inflammation. Often this is done with the aid of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or Ibuprofen like Advil. Although it is rare, if costochondritis is not effectively treated with the above medications, a local anesthetic injection might be used in conjunction with a steroid like methylprednisolone or betamethasone. Luckily the prognosis for those with costochondritis is excellent.
