Breastbone Soreness
Diagnosing Breastbone Soreness: What You Need to Know
Throughout a lifetime the human body will experience many ailments, one of which is breastbone soreness. Medically termed as the sternum, human breastbones are comprised of 3 fused bones that help to protect vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Like all bones, the sternum or breastbone is subject to aches and pains from various causes.
TYPES AND CAUSES OF BREASTBONE SORENESS
Determining the type of pain or soreness one is experiencing in the breastbone area can help to uncover the root cause of discomfort. While breastbone soreness doesn’t necessarily indicate any serious health concerns, there is a possibility that an underlying condition is being manifested through the irritation. Below are some common types of breastbone pain and their causes.
STERNUM FRACTURE
Although uncommon, persons who have suffered severe impact to the sternum may experience sharp pains due to fracture of the bone. Oftentimes, those most likely to receive this type of injury are those who engage in aggressive contact sports or individuals who have been in a serious auto accident. Symptoms for breastbone fracture include:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling, bruising, and or tenderness of the sternum
- Possible deformity in the chest
HEART ISSUES
As millions of people die every year due to heart related illnesses, any pain around the area housing the organ should be addressed promptly. Failure to determine whether or not breastbone soreness is related to cardiac health could result in fatal consequences. If you or someone you know is experiencing the following signs, seek medical help right away to ensure proper treatment.
- Fullness or pressure in the chest
- A sensation of squeezing or radiating pain
- Difficulty breathing
- An inner thought suggesting that death is imminent
- Sweating, fainting, and /or nausea
PAIN AREA CONFUSION
Not all pain in the chest area should be considered as breastbone pain. Although irritation and discomfort may seem to radiate from the bone itself, other conditions may be the culprit. Common complaints from individuals suffering from breastbone soreness are often the result of the following conditions:
- Gastrointestinal disorders like acid reflux and heartburn
- Inflammatory infections such as pleurisy, bronchitis, or costochondritis
- Fibromyalgia and/or r muscular disorders
- Psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and hypochondriasis
Each of the above mentioned conditions has similar, yet distinct characteristics when considering symptoms. Typically, patients who are diagnosed with these types of maladies experience difficulty and pain when breathing along with tenderness in the breastbone area. For persons with heartburn and acid reflux disease, pain is characterized by an intense burning in the area underneath the breastbone and can amplify after eating, lying down, or bending over.
In cases where there is no physically legitimate cause for breastbone soreness, psychological dysfunction may be to blame. Individuals who have been diagnosed with various somatoform disorders such as hypochondriasis frequently complain of breastbone pain that simply isn’t there. Although their anguish is imaginary, it is no less real to the sufferer.
CONCLUSION
As there are several causes that lead to breastbone soreness, it is best to seek the advice of a physician for a proper analysis of symptoms and treatment options. In most cases, irritation is minor and has no serious implications. On the other hand; if heart health or infection is the source, medical treatment is crucial. In cases where intestinal problems trigger breastbone soreness, medical care or over the counter medications can help to lessen occurrences and alleviate symptoms. In cases of delusion, treatment options are available to lessen imaginary symptoms as well as encourage a more functional lifestyle for the afflicted.