Wednesday, June 24, 2015

What is Pectus Excavatum (Hole In Chest)?

Pectus Excavatum

Pectus Excavatum (PE) is a hereditary chest deformity where the sternum or breast plate and rib cage depresses inward pressing against the heart and other organs (inverted sternum). Commonly known as a 'funnel chest' (various ways of saying it), the sternum is held in position by the costal cartilages which are connected to the ribs at varying degrees of severity and deepness.
There is still no viable cause of why people are diagnosed with this chest deformity, but the general consensus by researchers and physicians agree that the costal cartilage becomes malformed when you are born, and it worsens as you ag. Although unconfirmed, many physicians have rejected a correlation between scoliosis and pectus excavatum.

To learn more about Pectus Excavatum from professionals, I recommend these products! Of course contact your own physician and ensure how severe your deformity is.

Want to know about a similar chest deformity? Click here, Pectus Carinatum



Living With Pectus Excavatum


This condition is frequently common within young males with a ratio of 3:1 to woman with Pectus Excavatum. Being diagnosed with Pectus Excavatum has been found to cause respiratory and cardiac problems and it will increase your metabolism by stressing the heart, you may also experience shortness of breath and fatigue. Chest pains may become frequent if overstretched during workouts or participating in contact sports. Talk to a certified physician if you are going to do team sports, and contact sports to ensure optimal performance with little limitations. Ensure you have the proper paperwork if you're trying out for a school team!

From a third persons perspective, depending on its severity there will be a depression within the middle of the chest where, in some cases, may concave on only one side of the chest with varying degrees of deepness. Rib flare is a condition where the ribs protrude farther out than the chest. Flared ribs are very common for people who suffer with Pectus Excavatum, and generally in the public's eye. One's diagnosed will have their posture not as erect as individuals who do not suffer from this chest deformation. Pectus Excavatum may deter growth during puberty and decrease overall energy.

To improve your chest's appearance, there are exercise routines (and even bodybuilding tips) available online, stretch exercises are also greatly recommended to stretch out the costal cartilages, careful not to overstretch! Have the confidence to work out and share your experience, not only that but increase awareness.



Interesting Facts/Information About Pectus Excavatum

Did you know doctors have diagnosed Pectus Excavatum in dogs! It's not as common but very dangerous for puppies!

I also am living with Pectus Excavatum, read my story, I also have not done any surgeries for this deformity, here's why. Sometimes I am a rebel, I've also had experience smoking marijuana, and heres simply what I been through. Music is also a great stress reliever!

There are two common surgeries that you may choose from, the Ravitch Procedure and the Nuss Procedure both of which are highly successful where the operations have lasted a couple of hours and recovery was fairly quick.

People with Pectus Excavatum have a lack of motivation compared to others who do not have this condition.

PE is also the most common congenital chest wall deformity for males. There are also unknown psychological reactions, but many individuals with Pectus Excavatum may suffer from social anxiety.

This fitness blog's original purpose was for people who live with this condition.

General Awareness

'A hole in chest' is a collective term for Pectus Excavatum; other names include funnel chest, sunken chest and concave chest. People have been bullied by others because of this chest deformity, and others have received help from communities. This topic is not as mainstream as other chest deformities even though it is very common. Pectus Excavatum is also within a general classification of chest deformities known as Poland Syndrome, which is also shared with a similar condition known as Pectus Carinatum. In Hollywood there have been some celebrities with Pectus Excavatum and influential people that have dealt with the issue!

To help improve awareness you can follow this blog and share it to friends, and if you have a Google+ account you can plus one us or follow us directly! We've also released our youtube channel as well to help!