HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

I Am Having Upper Abdominal Discomfort , Just Below The

default
Posted on Thu, 25 Apr 2019
Question: I am having upper abdominal discomfort, just below the sternum between the ribs. It's not quite pain but quite a bit of constant ache. It's been present for about a week.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Gastritis or inflamed xiphisternum as commonest causes

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
It seems that Tums, Peppermint tea and gun has not helped much for the discomfort in upper abdomen, just below sternum between the ribs.
One week is a long time to suffer.
The probable causes I can think of are:
Gastritis: tums should have helped. Please take a PPI like Omeprazole or Ranitidine and see the results.
There can be inflammation of Xiphisternum, the lowest part causing similar pain. The tenderness on pressure on this area can confirm the diagnosis and if present you need an anti-inflammatory medication along with local warm fomentation.
Please press on the point and tell me if there is pain.
Another causes can be related to liver.
If the above measures do not help to alleviate the pain then a clinical examination, upper GI endoscopy and Ultrasonography of abdomen may be needed to further explore the cause and get treated accordingly.

I hope this answer helps you. Please give feedback and ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Dr T Chandrakant.
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
I Am Having Upper Abdominal Discomfort , Just Below The

Brief Answer: Gastritis or inflamed xiphisternum as commonest causes Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific. Noted the history and understood the concerns. It seems that Tums, Peppermint tea and gun has not helped much for the discomfort in upper abdomen, just below sternum between the ribs. One week is a long time to suffer. The probable causes I can think of are: Gastritis: tums should have helped. Please take a PPI like Omeprazole or Ranitidine and see the results. There can be inflammation of Xiphisternum, the lowest part causing similar pain. The tenderness on pressure on this area can confirm the diagnosis and if present you need an anti-inflammatory medication along with local warm fomentation. Please press on the point and tell me if there is pain. Another causes can be related to liver. If the above measures do not help to alleviate the pain then a clinical examination, upper GI endoscopy and Ultrasonography of abdomen may be needed to further explore the cause and get treated accordingly. I hope this answer helps you. Please give feedback and ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication. Dr T Chandrakant.