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What Are The Causes Of Intermittent Tightness Around The Chest And Ribcage?

Posted on Fri, 7 Sep 2018

Question: the left side of my torso or abdomen gets tight and feels like it will cramp when i tilt my head downward, and my left chest and rib has a on and off tightness

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (8 minutes later)

Hi,

How long have you experienced this?

Regards,

Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (13 minutes later)

for about 4 days. my side abdomen feels sore and kinda weak now

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Musculoskeletal cause likely

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Based on your description it's most likely to be a musculoskeletal cause. An EKG should be done to rule out the possibility of a cardiac cause. If the area involved is tender, the costochondritis is a possibility. Naproxen with Tizanidine for a week along with physiotherapy should be advised. It should resolve with this combination. CPK levels can be checked if NSAIDs and muscle relaxants empiric therapy fails to yield significant improvement.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

thank you so much, and now im starting to have a cough and slight back discomfort with alittle shortness of breath

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Shortness of breath is a further compelling indication to get an EKG done. Empirical treatment can be offered once a cardiac cause is ruled out.

Let me know if you have any query.

Wishing you best of health.

Thanks.

Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil, General & Family Physician

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana