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What Causes Pain In Lower Sternum With Tingling Sensation In Neck?
Question: Hi,
I'm 27 years old. I have experienced sharp pain near my lower sternum that makes me hold my position and my breath to ease the pain. Sometimes lowering my chest down to my knees and holding pressure on my chest helps. When I try to breath or move the pain will intensify. It started yesterday in the afternoon in a seated position, for a few seconds then would come back. There were multiple episodes yesterday. Today I have only had three however today now the back on my neck had a warm tingling sensation. Left work early today and now home, wasn't sure if this is something to worry about or if its just a heart burn I have never felt this intense before. Since I have been home the pain has not happened again.
Thank you.
I'm 27 years old. I have experienced sharp pain near my lower sternum that makes me hold my position and my breath to ease the pain. Sometimes lowering my chest down to my knees and holding pressure on my chest helps. When I try to breath or move the pain will intensify. It started yesterday in the afternoon in a seated position, for a few seconds then would come back. There were multiple episodes yesterday. Today I have only had three however today now the back on my neck had a warm tingling sensation. Left work early today and now home, wasn't sure if this is something to worry about or if its just a heart burn I have never felt this intense before. Since I have been home the pain has not happened again.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Most probably inflammation at the junction of xiphoid with body of strnum
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history, almost self explanatory.
To recapitulate: Female/27 - Started pain in the lower sternum yesterday - has to hold position and breath to ease the pain - lowering the chest down and holding pressure helps - back of neck has warm tingling sensation - thought of heartburn - not happened since you have back home.
As per the very detailed self-explanatory history you have provided, this is not heartburn. Be assured.
Such type of pain usually occurs due to inflammation at the joint of the xiphoid process with the body of the sternum, thereby causing the inflammation of the nearby muscles too. You have noted the enhancing and relieving factors that fit into this diagnosis.
The exact cause is not known why this should occur:
Stress and/or anxiety is one of the causative factors.
Some sort of sub-clinical or clinical viral infection can be another cause.
Trauma, direct or indirect like that caused by sudden act like sneezing or suddenly pulling or lifting can cause in spite it may be just trivial.
The tingling on the back of neck can be due to similar reasons an nothing much to worry about.
The suggested treatment is:
Warm compresses.
Rest: physical as well as mental (no stress and/or anxiety)
Anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen if it suits you in proper strength at 8 hourly interval after food, it also has painkiller properties.
Rubrafacient liniments (which makes to local area warm)
Avoid any movement that can cause strain on this area.
Do this and you will be fine.
Watch out for any other symptoms if you develop and let me know please.
Wishing you an early and complete recovery.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask further queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Most probably inflammation at the junction of xiphoid with body of strnum
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history, almost self explanatory.
To recapitulate: Female/27 - Started pain in the lower sternum yesterday - has to hold position and breath to ease the pain - lowering the chest down and holding pressure helps - back of neck has warm tingling sensation - thought of heartburn - not happened since you have back home.
As per the very detailed self-explanatory history you have provided, this is not heartburn. Be assured.
Such type of pain usually occurs due to inflammation at the joint of the xiphoid process with the body of the sternum, thereby causing the inflammation of the nearby muscles too. You have noted the enhancing and relieving factors that fit into this diagnosis.
The exact cause is not known why this should occur:
Stress and/or anxiety is one of the causative factors.
Some sort of sub-clinical or clinical viral infection can be another cause.
Trauma, direct or indirect like that caused by sudden act like sneezing or suddenly pulling or lifting can cause in spite it may be just trivial.
The tingling on the back of neck can be due to similar reasons an nothing much to worry about.
The suggested treatment is:
Warm compresses.
Rest: physical as well as mental (no stress and/or anxiety)
Anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen if it suits you in proper strength at 8 hourly interval after food, it also has painkiller properties.
Rubrafacient liniments (which makes to local area warm)
Avoid any movement that can cause strain on this area.
Do this and you will be fine.
Watch out for any other symptoms if you develop and let me know please.
Wishing you an early and complete recovery.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask further queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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