WE live in a time of social equality, with equal rights, freedom of speech, and equal access to goods and services. This is offered by musculoskeletal physiotherapists, and could be worth trying in addition to the exercises you say your chiropractor recommended. Costochondritis usually resolves itself after many months, but physiotherapy can help speed up recovery.Ĭertain treatments - such as therapeutic ultrasound which uses soundwaves to stimulate blood flow and healing, as well as relieve pain - may help. There is no ideal treatment for either condition, although research suggests that physiotherapy might help ease the pain. The symptoms can be associated with a more unusual condition, Tietze syndrome, but there will also be swelling of one or two costochondral joints and sometimes the sternoclavicular joint, where the clavicle (collarbone) and sternum meet. It does not involve any visible swelling. It can be triggered by activities even less onerous than lifting a suitcase, such as gentle pressure on the joints when sitting up. Most patients with these symptoms have costochondritis, where several joints are affected, causing multiple areas of tenderness. This can lead to coughing, which can also hurt, as it involves the chest wall. This can trigger an inflammatory response, and the pain can be so extreme that you may struggle to take a full breath in. Shifting the suitcases may have caused minor injury to one or more of the costochondral joints - the points where your ribs meet your sternum (or breastbone). Based on your description, I agree with your GP that the chronic pain is likely to be due to a mechanical disorder of the chest wall, affecting the musculoskeletal structure. I am still short of breath and coughing, and would appreciate some reassurance.Ī: THIS sounds uncomfortable and is understandably concerning for you. ![]() Q: I AM a healthy 60-year-old but, six months ago, I woke up with an excruciating pain in my chest the day after lifting heavy suitcases. Lifting heavy objects can cause a chest injury which may trigger other painful problems including coughing I'd recommend discussing your medication with your GP. I suspect the hot flushes are not due to Covid-19. That said, the tablet should normally be taken in the morning, and, as your flushing occurs at night, this may not be the cause - unless you've been told to take the drug in the evening? Other side-effects include increased heart rate and headaches. As it works by dilating the arteries, it can also trigger flushing, as more blood is pumped to small blood vessels. This is a calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure. One likely explanation for your hot flushes is the drug lercanidipine, which you mention taking in your longer letter. ![]() These include stress, a fever, alcohol and foods, such as curry, which contain spices that can activate a nerve receptor that responds to changes in body temperature.Īn overactive thyroid gland can also trigger hot flushes, but as your blood test was clear, this does not apply. As you start to feel warmer, your body activates cooling responses, including dilating the blood vessels to release heat, and sweating.īut sweating isn't a problem in your case, so we must look at other potential causes of hot flushes. This is because declining levels of oestrogen affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates temperature. ![]() When it's a symptom of the menopause, you also sweat. Could this be long Covid? And what can I do about it? I am 69.Ī: A HOT flush feels similar to deep embarrassment, with a tide of heat that washes over you. Last year, I tested positive for Covid, just before the hot flushes started. I had a blood test that came back normal. I STARTED being woken up by hot flushes three months ago, but I don't sweat.
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