Guest guest Posted February 1, 2004 Report Posted February 1, 2004 Hello , sorry to hear that you are having these pains and boy can that be ever so scary especially when all the signs are similar to those of a heart attack. Below is the definition and symptoms of pluerisy that I have found. I'm wondering if perhaps it's not costochondritis but a doctor would best know but I have also included some info on this illness as well. Hope it helps, Marilyn Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the lungs, with subsequent pain. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Pleurisy may develop in the presence of lung inflammation (for example, pneumonia, tuberculosis), rheumatic diseases, chest trauma, certain cancers, and asbestos-related disease. The main symptom is pain over the chest wall at the site of the inflammation. In some circumstances, the pain may be felt in the shoulder. The pain is increased by deep breathing, coughing, and chest movement. The normally smooth pleural surfaces, now roughened by inflammation, rub together with each breath, and may produce a rough, grating sound called a "friction rub". This can be heard with the stethoscope or an ear held against the chest.Fluid often accumulates at the site of pleural inflammation. A localized collection of fluid separates the lung pleura from the chest wall pleura causing the chest pain to disappear even though the illness may be worsening. Large accumulations of fluid compromise breathing and may cause coughing, shortness of breath with rapid breathing (tachypnea), cyanosis, and retractions. Symptoms Recent or present respiratory illness with its symptoms Cough Fever Malaise Localized chest pain on the chest wall Pain with each breath Worsened by coughing Worsened by deep breathing Diagnosing costochondritis What is costochondritis (Tietze's Syndrome)?Costochondritis is a syndrome of chest wall pain that is due to inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the chest wall. Also called Tietze's Syndrome, costochondritis means that the area of the junction of the rib bones, breastbone, and the associated cartilage has become inflamed. Depending on the extent of the inflammation, this condition can be quite painful. What causes costochondritis?Most commonly the cause of costochondritis is classified as 'idiopathic,' or unknown. This means that there is no identifiable cause for the condition. This does not imply that idiopathic costochondritis is any less painful of a condition than if the cause can be identified. The most common known cause of costochondritis is traumatic injury. For example, a car accident where the driver's chest strikes the steering wheel can cause costochondritis by injuring the ribs and cartilage on the front of the chest. Viral infections, usually upper respiratory infections, have also been identified as a cause of costochondritis. The most frequently affected age group is young adults between 20 and 40 years old. What are the symptoms of costochondritis?The most common symptom is pain over the front of the upper chest (the area of the sternum). Because of serious conditions, most importantly conditions related to heart problems, costochondritis should only be diagnosed after excluding other more serious problems. Costochondritis pain is usually worsened by activity or exercise, and can also be severe when taking a deep breath. Often simply touching the area involved will be extremely painful for the patient. Because of the many nerves that branch away from the chest, pain may be experienced in the shoulder or arms as well. When called Tietze's Syndrome, the pain is accompanied by redness and or swelling in the areas most tender. ----Original Message Follows---- From: Docken Wondering if some of you can answer a question for me about pleuracy.I have been gettin really sore in the upper body back pain and chest pain and numbness that runs all the way down my arms,I know this sounds like symptoms of a heart attack that's why I went to the ER the last time this happened(checked me over and found nothin the one thing they didn't do was do a chest X-ray).Im just wondering if the pleuracy can cause this kinda pain cause everything else seems fine no pain from the waist down kinda weird.I see my rhumy on the 9th so hopefully he can solve it ohh yeah at the ER they told me it was probably Muskeletal Pain Hmmmm I wonder.Take care and thank you in advance for your responses. d.Canada Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. Quote
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