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What Causes Pain Under The Left Rib Cage While Swallowing?

Posted on Mon, 9 Jan 2017

Question: Periodic Discomfort on the left side under breast when swallowing food usually with the first mouth. I must chew food well and in some amounts.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. It is likely musculoskeletal in origin

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details. So the cause in your case appears to be musculoskeletal in origin. Otherwise it can also be due to focal. Pleurisy which is, inflammation of pleura surrounding lungs. You require some analgesics and it should recover.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (36 minutes later)

Are you suggesting that the discomfort when swallowing the food from the esphogus into the stomach is a muscular disorder? there can be a dull ache in one spot under the left breast after there has been some discomfort with swallowing. I am an anxious person and this has been worrying me. Could anxiety contribute to some discomfort?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. Yes it could be musculoskeletal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. You are anxious because of pain. A mild pain is feeling like a intensive one due to anxiety. So just relax, and take some analgesics for a couple of days. If pain doesnot subside, a chest xray can be done to look for the cause.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (9 hours later)

It feels like to me to be more digestive, also have some reflux and gas although not sure with my anxiety. When food moves down to the lower part of the esophagus I have discomfort til the food moves forward mostly on the first food swallow. I was also having some chest pain discomfort that comes and goes. It seems better when relaxed.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. The possibility of digestive issue is low but possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear.

The area just below breast covers chest and not digestive system. However, still the possibility of a digestive gastric issue can be there. I will still advise you to take some analgesics. Along with it, take some proton pump inhibitor drugs like pantoprazole or rabeprazole to take care of gastric issues. If symptoms donot clear in a weeks time, go for an X-ray.

Thanks and regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj