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What Causes The Xiphoid Process To Protrude?

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Posted on Sat, 28 Feb 2015
Question: Hi, what causes the xiphoid process to protrude? I also have what I think is disectus recti

Please forgive my misspelling of Diastasis Recti
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
protrusion of xiphoid process can be normal thing.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I need to know few things regarding your problem.
1. Since how long you are having protrusion of xiphoid process?
2. Do you having bulging abdominal organs?
3. Are you symptomatic with this?
Protrusion of xiphoid process can be seen in many conditions but common ones are
1. Normal variant
2. Associated with protruding sternum.
3. Pegion chest deformity.
4. Diastasis Recti.

Diastasis Recti is deformity of rectus abdominis muscle. This muscle is in the center of abdomen between xiphoid process and pelvic bone. It is having two parts, left and right. Normally they are fused together in center. But in diastasis Recti ,they are not fused. Hence gives bulging of abdomen and protrusion of internal organs.

This condition is seen mostly with premature newborns and post partum females. It is uncommon in males. It is usually asymptomatic but surgical correction is needed for cosmetic purpose.
So, please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you further about your protrusion of xiphoid process. It is less likely due to diastasis Recti in your case, but need to know above things first.

I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Thank you for your timely response Dr my reply to your questions are as follows: 1) Approximately 3 months ago I noticed a distention of my xiphoid process. 2) I have a bulge from my navel to my xiphoid process when flexing my trunk or abdomin along the line seperating the "six pack" or the left and right abdominal muscles. 3) I feel a contraction or discomfort (tightness not pain) around and deep to the xiphoid process late in the day after I have just smoked (after going all day without a smoke) and sometimes after eating. Also I have notices a need to clear mt throat often throughout the day for approx a year.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
get done ultrasound examination of abdomen.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
By your history and description, you may have abdominal wall muscle weakness because you are smoker.
So let me know
1. Since how long you are smoking?
2. How many cigarettes you smoke daily?
Get done ultrasound examination of abdomen to know the exact size of the defect and if it is having abdominal contents or not.
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you further.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)
Thank you doctor! At this time I do not have medical insurance and cannot afford an ultrasound. The answer to your questions are I have been smoking off and on since I was 20 years old. I smoke about a pack a day I dont smoke at work so during the week I smoke at night. I am a Physical Therapist Assistant so I often have to help patients stand in the ll bars giving often times MaxA and do not exercise myself at this time... well for about a year and a half. I am 5'11' 160 and have not experienced pain, weight loss, loss of appetite or any other symptoms except the ones I have described. I find it odd that I have had these perticular problems in unison in a short amount of time and it not be related to abdominal line muscle atrophy but that is why you make the big bucks. Thank you for your time! I look forward to hearing from you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
quit smoking as soon as possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your situation.
In my opinion you are having mostly smoking related muscle damage not exactly atrophy.
So better to quit smoking as soon as possible.
It is not a good habit. It can damage your lungs and heart too.
So stop smoking.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries then please close the conversation and rate the answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply Dr I understand smoking is a dumb habit one which I am sure you dont partake in yourself. I have tried several times and have only been able to quit for shot periods. I only hope that my symptoms are not related to something really bad like esophogeal cancer but if they are you reap what you sow I guess right? I think what you do is a good thing you are helping people and you most likely have a good heart. This website is a great idea. Thank you for your professional advice and I am going to try to get some kind of insurance before the 2-15 deadline just in case. After all I am no spring chicken. Dont know what time it is in XXXXXXX but best to you!!!

One other thing that I wanted to tell you as I havent been to a doctor in 4 years when I am in the supine position knees at a 90 degree angle and palpate about one and a half or two inches below the xiphoid process on the abdomen I feel 5/10 pain on the borg pain scale. Just tested that tonight. Thanks for your help! Its almost 1 on the east coast of the United States so I am going to sleep. Good night on my end.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it is mostly GERD associated pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up query.
I can understand your problem and situation.
In my opinion the pain below xiphoid is due to to GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) .
Smoking is one of the commonest risk factor for GERD.
So better to quit smoking.
You can enroll yourself in deaddiction center, to stop this habit. Now a days drugs are available for prevention of craving and withdrawal symptoms.
So give your best to quit smoking.

And thanks for the kind words. I am truely obliged. Your words give me great courage to do good works.

Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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What Causes The Xiphoid Process To Protrude?

Brief Answer: protrusion of xiphoid process can be normal thing. Detailed Answer: Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM. I need to know few things regarding your problem. 1. Since how long you are having protrusion of xiphoid process? 2. Do you having bulging abdominal organs? 3. Are you symptomatic with this? Protrusion of xiphoid process can be seen in many conditions but common ones are 1. Normal variant 2. Associated with protruding sternum. 3. Pegion chest deformity. 4. Diastasis Recti. Diastasis Recti is deformity of rectus abdominis muscle. This muscle is in the center of abdomen between xiphoid process and pelvic bone. It is having two parts, left and right. Normally they are fused together in center. But in diastasis Recti ,they are not fused. Hence gives bulging of abdomen and protrusion of internal organs. This condition is seen mostly with premature newborns and post partum females. It is uncommon in males. It is usually asymptomatic but surgical correction is needed for cosmetic purpose. So, please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you further about your protrusion of xiphoid process. It is less likely due to diastasis Recti in your case, but need to know above things first. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.