Brief Answer:
It does not sound like heart issue..

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Welcome to Health Care Magic.
My name is Dr Muhammad Ahmad & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way.

I understand your concern and being a RESIDENT OF CARDIOLOGY myself, i will hereby try to talk about differentials for your better understanding and alleviating the anxiety you must be in.

Cardiac pains:
1- They are NEVER sharp excruciating pains,they are dull pains like soar muscles or a compression.
2-They start with work out and go away as you are at rest.
3- When its paining they in most case get relieved by a nitroglycerin tab under tongue.
4- Regular "work out cardiac pains" (angina) usually show up in stress testing.
5- They are very rarely present in men below 40.
6- They never Get worsened by food intake, they stay the same.
7- Never tender.

POSSIBLE CAUSES:

1-Costochondritis:

your symptoms are very very typical of what we call costochondritis, its pain is tender, intensity changes with breathing movement, gets worse in coughing problem. Is few inches away from sternum at junction of rib and cartilage. Intensity increases very much when someone hugs because ribs are pushed. I will encourage you to read about this problem in order to get a better understanding if you feel like.

2- Sore muscle:

It is remotely possible but your symptoms are more suggestive of costochondritis.

WHAT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE

1- Heart pain:
It is NOT a pain due to heart issue because heart pain is not tender and is doesn't change in intensity when you breathe, change body position or if some one hugs you.

2- Lung pain:
It does not seem to be a lung pain either because lung pain ain't tender.

3- Rib abscess:
It seems to be a remote possibility because there is no fever and no fluctuation area according to your description.

4- GERD.
Never tender and it pain at epigastrium usually , relived with antacid.

5- Thyroiditis:

It;s in neck and usually accompanied by symptoms of thyroid hormone disturbance.

6- Hiatal hernia.

X-ray is not normal... not tender.. relived by antacids.

I hope i have made you understand the possible reasons why it can't be heart hernia or other such conditions , It is more or less costochondritis or related neuromuscular issue..


WHAT CAN BE DONE:
1- Warm compresses at the tender area really help in most patients.
2- Local pain killer cream/gel like burfen cream or diclofenac Cream.
3- Pain killer like Tylenol do help.
4- I will encourage you to visit your physician and if you can visit a rheumatologist or an orthopaedic doctor, it will be great.
5- If this doesn't respond to simple pain killer treatment, your doctor may switch you to anti inflammatory meds and opioids.
6- You may also get consult with a physiotherapist for more targeted exercises.
7- For stomach problem , if you have,you can use antacids it will help with pain after meal and that excruciating chest pain.
8- avoid Tobacco ,alcohol,spice, fried food and coffee, caffeine, (anything that applies )
9- I would also suggest my patient to use cap omeprazole 40mg for better relief.




.Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!

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Brief Answer:
vicks vapour has no particular use in this.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your writing back to me.

I hope now you know your condition better than what you knew before we started the discussion.

Costochondritis is just an inflammation and inflammation requires anti-inflammatory meds like brufen ..tylenol.. oral pills and topical creams... in severe cases steroid shots may also be required but it's just a temporary condition and subsides soon with proper care and treatment.

Vicks is basically used for nose congestion issues it has no specific use in inflammation issues, it's vapours just open up your congested nose and that's all what it does.

I will suggest you to go for treatment options which are suggested by FDA for a particular condition to get the safest and best results, and i will suggest you to stay calm as your condition is no way a dangerous one. Get your checkup done and follow all the instructions by doctor ..it will take a month at XXXXXXX for you to recover.

I hope this answers the question , if you have further related question you are welcome to ask ,otherwise don't forget to rate and close the discussion.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad
M.B.B.S.
Resident Cardiology.

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