Shall we learn about this important bone in the middle of your chest (the sternum)?

Hello! Have you ever thought about the flat bone in the middle of your chest? Many of us call it the 'breastbone'. Some also call it the 'sternum'. So in English, it is called the 'sternum'. This is a very important bone, it protects many of the organs inside our chest and is connected to other bones and muscles. Shall we talk about this in more detail today?

What is this breastbone (sternum)? What does it do?

Simply put, the sternum is the long, flat, T-shaped bone in the front of your chest, right in the middle. Some people also call it the breastbone. You can feel the middle of your chest with your hand, and you'll feel this bone.

This is not just a piece of bone. It does a very important job.

• Providing protection: Imagine, our heart, lungs, upper stomach, and esophagus are all very sensitive organs inside the chest. So if any danger were to occur to these organs, the sternum, the ribs (ribs) attached to it, and the rib cage that forms them together are like a shield in front to protect them from it.
• Connections to other bones and muscles: The sternum doesn't work alone. Your collarbones (called the clavicles) attach to the top of the sternum. Also, most of the ribs attach to it. The muscles in the chest and upper abdomen are also attached to it.
• Helping with breathing: When you breathe, your chest moves forward and backward. This movement is assisted by the sternum, and the ribs that are connected to it by cartilage. Although it is not a large movement, this is very important for the breathing process.

What are the parts of the sternum?

Although the sternum looks like a single long bone, it has three main parts. Some say it resembles a sword.

1. Manubrium: This is the part of the sternum that is slightly wider and looks like the hilt of a sword. Your two collarbones and the first pair of ribs connect to this manubrium.

2. Body of the Sternum: This is the middle, longest, flat part. It looks like the blade of a sword. The third to seventh ribs connect to this part.

3. Xiphoid Process: This is a small, pointed part of the sternum just below the sternum. It looks like the tip of a sword. It is usually made of cartilage. However, as we age, it gradually turns into bone, that is, it `calcifies`.

So, those three parts come together to form the complete sternum. It's usually about 6 inches long.

If you have a pain in the middle of your chest, what are the causes?

Now let's look at what causes pain and discomfort around the sternum, or in the middle of the chest. Sometimes this pain comes from below or behind the sternum. We call it 'Substernal Pain'. This can often be caused by problems related to the stomach and esophagus.

Okay, so let's see what are the common causes of this middle chest pain:

Costochondritis

This is a very common cause. The ribs are connected to the sternum by a piece of cartilage. Costochondritis occurs when that cartilage becomes inflamed due to an infection, injury, or condition like arthritis. This can cause a sharp pain in the area of ​​the ribs in the chest, like a knife stabbing the sternum on either side. It hurts when you touch it, and it may even feel hot.

Pectus Carinatum (Protruding chest)

This is when the sternum protrudes forward more than normal. Some people also call this 'pigeon chest'. Most people do not experience any major symptoms. However, some people may experience chest pain, especially when holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities.

Sternum Fracture

This is a direct fracture of the sternum. It usually occurs when something hits the chest hard. Think of a car accident, a sports accident, or a fall from a height. There are also fractures caused by a direct blow to the chest , and there are fractures caused by an indirect blow.

Sternoclavicular Joint Injury

The place where our collarbone (`Clavicle`) meets the sternum is called the ``Sternoclavicular Joint``. This is a very rare problem. However, if this joint becomes affected by things like infection, injury, or arthritis, it can cause pain and stiffness.

Collarbone disorders

The collarbone connects to the two upper ends of the sternum. So if something happens to the collarbone, the pain can be felt in the sternum. This can be due to accidents, sports injuries, falls, etc.

Muscle Strain

If the muscles and tendons that connect to the sternum are injured, that is, if they are pulled (Muscle Strain), then pain can also occur in the sternum area. This can be caused by things like overexertion, playing sports, or coughing too hard .

Hiatal Hernia

This is when the upper part of your stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into your chest. This can cause pain in the chest, just below the sternum. This is also a common type of hiatal hernia.

Acid reflux/GERD

When gastric acid from the stomach comes back up the esophagus (`Acid Reflux`), damaging the lining of the esophagus, it can also cause a burning sensation and pain in the middle of the chest. This is common in people with gastritis, also known as `GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)`.

Pleurisy condition

Pleurisy occurs when the membranes surrounding our lungs (the `pleurae`) become inflamed. This can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases, lung diseases, bacterial or viral infections. This can also cause pain under the sternum.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, the main airways leading to the lungs. This can also cause chest pain. This can lead to mucus in the lungs and a cough that can last for weeks.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. When this happens, they fill with fluid, which can cause severe chest pain. This pain can also be felt behind the sternum.

What are the common features seen in these situations?

Okay, now you understand that there can be many causes of chest pain. So, depending on each of these causes, the symptoms may vary slightly. But in general, the main symptom is pain or discomfort in the middle of the chest .

Let's look at some of the special features that can be seen in some of the situations we discussed above:

• Costochondritis is:
• The pain increases when you exercise, stretch, breathe heavily, or cough.
• It hurts when touched.
• There is a sharp pain coming from both sides of the sternum.
• If the sternum is broken (Sternum Fracture):
• The pain gets worse when you cough or breathe heavily.
• That area may be bruised and swollen.
• You may have difficulty breathing.
• Hiatal Hernia is:
• Goodies are always going.
• Burning in the chest, feeling like the stomach is full (`Indigestion`).
• Difficulty swallowing, feeling like something is stuck in the throat (especially when lying down)
• Acid Reflux is:
• It feels like the contents of the stomach are coming back up into the throat.
• Inflammation of the pharynx.
• My throat hurts, it feels like something is stuck in my throat. (These are worse after eating)

There can be many more symptoms like this, depending on the condition. The most important thing is that if you experience unusual chest pain, do not ignore it and seek medical advice.

What are the treatments for sternum pain?

The treatment for chest pain depends entirely on the cause. Each condition has its own treatment.

To give a few examples:

• For costochondritis, rest is often the best treatment. You need to give your chest and ribs time to heal. In addition, your doctor may prescribe painkillers and possibly anti-inflammatory medications (such as NSAIDs). Very rarely, a corticosteroid injection is used to reduce inflammation.
• For pectus carinatum (protruding chest) , a special brace may be needed, or in some severe cases, surgery may be required.
• If the sternum is broken , the treatment depends on its severity. For a minor fracture, rest and painkillers are enough. However, if it is severe, surgery may be required to reattach the sternum.
• For conditions like acid reflux , lifestyle changes (eating well, reducing certain foods, quitting smoking), and medications that reduce stomach acid (such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors - PPIs) can be used.

So you can see how important it is to find the cause. That's why it's important to see a doctor, get an accurate diagnosis, and get the right treatment.

When should you see a doctor if you have pain in the middle of your chest?

There's no need to panic when you experience chest pain, but there are some situations where you should definitely see a doctor. These include:

• If your pain occurred directly after some kind of accident (trauma) .
• If the pain does not subside after several days , or if the discomfort persists.
• If the pain feels like it 's getting worse over time .
• If the pain is accompanied by severe vomiting, or if you vomit blood .

At a time like this, a doctor can pinpoint the cause of your pain and provide a treatment plan that fits it.

Is this pain a heart attack? How do you tell the difference? (Sternum Pain vs. Heart Attack)

This is very important. One of the things that many people fear when they experience chest pain is that they don't know if it's a heart attack. But there is a slight difference between pain associated with the sternum and the pain that occurs during a heart attack.

Often, pain in the sternum starts suddenly. However, before a heart attack occurs, there may be several other specific symptoms that are related to it.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include (one or more of) the following:

* A feeling of tightness, tightness, or pressure in the center of the chest. This pain can also radiate to the arm, jaw, or teeth.

* Sweating, especially cold sweat.

* Nausea.

* Difficulty breathing.

* Feeling faint, like losing consciousness.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. This means going to the nearest hospital or calling an ambulance. A heart attack can be life-threatening.

Although pain in the sternum is often not very serious, it is very important to be aware of this difference.

So, what are the things we need to remember?

Okay, so here are some of the main things you need to remember from what we've talked about today:

• The sternum, a bone in the middle of your chest, is a very important part of our body that protects the vital organs inside and provides support for other bones and muscles.
• There can be many reasons for pain in the middle of your chest. Some are simple, while others require medical attention.
• Most of the time, these pains are not serious. However, if the pain persists, is severe, or if you have any concerns, be sure to see a doctor.
• The most important thing: Distinguish between chest pain and heart attack symptoms. If you have symptoms of a heart attack, seek medical help immediately.

So, being aware of your body will help you take action quickly in case of any health problems. Stay healthy!

` Sternum, Sternum, Chest pain, Sternum, Costochondritis, Heart attack symptoms