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Suggest Treatment For Pain On Left Rib Cage
Question: I am a 38 year old male and have been having slight contractions on my left side under my rib cage without any pain. Every couple of minutes I feel something contract then back to normal. Its only on left side.
Brief Answer:
Need some information from you first sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I should rightfully start by asking you if these contractions are under your left rib cage as in behind it or down (closer to the abdomen). There are two ways we can understand 'under' my rib cage, which is why I wish to clarify.
If at all you have left sided chest pain then I would request you to visit a clinic or hospital for an ECG (EKG). But if your pain is localised more towards the abdominal region, towards the left obviously, then please do write back to me regarding the same.
I would also like your response to the following sir:
-Do you have any associated symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal bloating, mucus with stools, blood in stools, loose stool, stool is small and not big like usual, burning after passing stool, heartburn, regurgitation of food, nausea, vomiting, dry cough, etc. (please write back to me with only those symptoms that are present)
-What would you say are you levels of stress?
-Have you had diarrhoea in the past without any fever?
-Do you have long gaps between your meals?
-Do you smoke? if yes, how many in a day?
-Alcohol? If yes, how often?
-Any history of chronic conditions?
-History of indigestion?
-Discomfort after having heavy meals or oily food?
I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further sir.
Best wishes.
Need some information from you first sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I should rightfully start by asking you if these contractions are under your left rib cage as in behind it or down (closer to the abdomen). There are two ways we can understand 'under' my rib cage, which is why I wish to clarify.
If at all you have left sided chest pain then I would request you to visit a clinic or hospital for an ECG (EKG). But if your pain is localised more towards the abdominal region, towards the left obviously, then please do write back to me regarding the same.
I would also like your response to the following sir:
-Do you have any associated symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal bloating, mucus with stools, blood in stools, loose stool, stool is small and not big like usual, burning after passing stool, heartburn, regurgitation of food, nausea, vomiting, dry cough, etc. (please write back to me with only those symptoms that are present)
-What would you say are you levels of stress?
-Have you had diarrhoea in the past without any fever?
-Do you have long gaps between your meals?
-Do you smoke? if yes, how many in a day?
-Alcohol? If yes, how often?
-Any history of chronic conditions?
-History of indigestion?
-Discomfort after having heavy meals or oily food?
I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you further sir.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello and thank you for getting back to me. I am a Paramedic and don't believe it is a heart issue as my pulse is strong and regular without any irregular arrhythmia like A fib or A flutter. The contractions are contained to my lower left quadrant. It comes and goes fairly quickly. Sometimes it happens every couple of minutes or times like now I haven't felt it for at least the last hour or so. I feel it to the left of my naval and other times slightly above to the left as well. My stool is pretty regular although yesterday I did have diarrhea once yesterday. There isn't any blood or anything alarming when I go. Stress level is a little higher than normal as I am trying to purchase a home for my family. I have 5 kids so it's always a little high but nothing that I am not used to. Dont drink alcohol at all. Lately I have been skipping meals as I am trying to lose weight I probably wait to long in between meals some times. I am about 5 11 and weight about 215Ib. I usually feel the contractions when I am relaxed. When I am active I don't really feel it.
I don't have any of the above symptoms. I do eat more regularly when I am on shift and sometimes feel more bloated and swollen than usual when I do work. Its probably because I dont allow enough time in between to let things XXXXXXX as much. Usually when I am home I go longer in between meals. Probably should eat a little less but eat more meals more regularly.
I don't have any of the above symptoms. I do eat more regularly when I am on shift and sometimes feel more bloated and swollen than usual when I do work. Its probably because I dont allow enough time in between to let things XXXXXXX as much. Usually when I am home I go longer in between meals. Probably should eat a little less but eat more meals more regularly.
Brief Answer:
Need investigations to find the cause sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Its nice to be talking to a medical personnel, and I am sure you will understand me much better. As you must have realised from the information you provided sir, your description raises concern for a possible gastrointestinal condition.
Probably gastritis, acid reflux, hyperacidity, peptic ulcer disease, etc; from the gastric point of view taking into consideration a history of long gaps between meals, high stress levels, etc. An endoscopy would be a wise diagnostic tool in this case.
Left lower quadrant pain could be due to the left adrenal gland, left lower lobe of the kidney, left ureter, left section of the descending colon, sigmoid colon, spermatic cord. So we need to rule out any/all abnormalities in these organs.
As for the diarrhea, which could have occured due to stress alone; I usually recommend a wait and watch approach for individuals who suffer diarrhea without fever to rule out or confirm a colon abnormality and so the two recommendations would be:
-An ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis
-Colonoscopy of at all the endoscopy and ultrasound dp not report any abnormalities
I am sure you know how it is with gastrointestinal abnormalities, endoscopies and colonoscopies are the most beneficial investigations. I hope you find my response helpful sir, please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Need investigations to find the cause sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Its nice to be talking to a medical personnel, and I am sure you will understand me much better. As you must have realised from the information you provided sir, your description raises concern for a possible gastrointestinal condition.
Probably gastritis, acid reflux, hyperacidity, peptic ulcer disease, etc; from the gastric point of view taking into consideration a history of long gaps between meals, high stress levels, etc. An endoscopy would be a wise diagnostic tool in this case.
Left lower quadrant pain could be due to the left adrenal gland, left lower lobe of the kidney, left ureter, left section of the descending colon, sigmoid colon, spermatic cord. So we need to rule out any/all abnormalities in these organs.
As for the diarrhea, which could have occured due to stress alone; I usually recommend a wait and watch approach for individuals who suffer diarrhea without fever to rule out or confirm a colon abnormality and so the two recommendations would be:
-An ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis
-Colonoscopy of at all the endoscopy and ultrasound dp not report any abnormalities
I am sure you know how it is with gastrointestinal abnormalities, endoscopies and colonoscopies are the most beneficial investigations. I hope you find my response helpful sir, please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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