Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Acute Pain In The Left Side Of The Chest?
Question: Sometimes when I bend over I get a sharp acute pain in my sternum on the left hand side. I only feel the pain sometimes and if I bend over in a certain way. I've been getting this paid for a while (easily over a year). I do not have any breathing problems or pre-existing heart condition. I am not overweight and am a fit 37 year old woman. I don't believe I need to take any medication for it but just want to find out whether its worth going to a Dr about or whether I should ignore it.
Brief Answer:
nothing much to be concerned about
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..
How was your day?
Hope this message finds you in good health.
I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern.
the fact that the pain is occassional and comes only when bending forward in specific position, is actually not much of a concern. either it may be a costochondritis (chronic low grade inflammation ) of one of the costochondral junction. the pain is usually situated some inches away from sternum.
other possibility is an acid reflux,in a minor form. bending forward may cause the acidic fluid in stomach to regurgitate back to the distal oesophagus in some amount causing the temporary pain.
very rarely, a pain related to intercostal nerve inflammation may present in this fashion.
as you said, neither of these conditions require aggressive treatment.
if at all you want to come to a diagnosis,then you can always go for further investigations like xray,mri,gastroscopy etc.
but in my opinion,if the pain isnt bothering you much,you should neglect it and just take symptomatic treatment like antacids and local gel/hot fomentation.
meditation,yoga and stretching exercises should suffice
I hope your question has been answered.
Feel free to consult me anytime for follow-up queries.
Take care,God bless.
Wish you a healthy life : )
If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion.
Kind Regards..
Dr Mahaveer Patil, (MBBS,MS,Mch)
Consulting Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon
In future,you can contact me DIRECTLY on - http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-mahaveer-patil/71222
- If you were satisfied and happy with my answer ,PLEASE RATE THIS ANSWER AND LEAVE YOUR SINCERE FEEDBACK .
nothing much to be concerned about
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..
How was your day?
Hope this message finds you in good health.
I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern.
the fact that the pain is occassional and comes only when bending forward in specific position, is actually not much of a concern. either it may be a costochondritis (chronic low grade inflammation ) of one of the costochondral junction. the pain is usually situated some inches away from sternum.
other possibility is an acid reflux,in a minor form. bending forward may cause the acidic fluid in stomach to regurgitate back to the distal oesophagus in some amount causing the temporary pain.
very rarely, a pain related to intercostal nerve inflammation may present in this fashion.
as you said, neither of these conditions require aggressive treatment.
if at all you want to come to a diagnosis,then you can always go for further investigations like xray,mri,gastroscopy etc.
but in my opinion,if the pain isnt bothering you much,you should neglect it and just take symptomatic treatment like antacids and local gel/hot fomentation.
meditation,yoga and stretching exercises should suffice
I hope your question has been answered.
Feel free to consult me anytime for follow-up queries.
Take care,God bless.
Wish you a healthy life : )
If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion.
Kind Regards..
Dr Mahaveer Patil, (MBBS,MS,Mch)
Consulting Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon
In future,you can contact me DIRECTLY on - http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-mahaveer-patil/71222
- If you were satisfied and happy with my answer ,PLEASE RATE THIS ANSWER AND LEAVE YOUR SINCERE FEEDBACK .
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
