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What Causes Cramps In Upper Rib Cage?

Posted on Thu, 26 Nov 2015

Question: yes, I am a 64 year old male. Never smoked and slightly over weight. I take blood pressure medication. I have been having strange cramps in my upper rib cage on both sides. It last about a minute and then it goes away. It feels like a muscle cramp. It is very strange and can occur at anytime. It also happens in the very center of my chest at the base of my chest bone. I can push in on that area and I can feel the muscle or whatever and it is sore. what concerns me is the rib cage pain but both feels like muscle cramps. This has been going on for 4 or 5 months. Do you have any idea of what this could be or what is causing it...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
These can muscle cramps.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query

I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.I think these can be muscle cramps. Cause of this can be vitamin, calcium and trace elements deficiency. Vitamin D3 deficiency is cause of such unexplained pains. So it is advisable to test vitamin D and if found low then vitamin D3 supplements are useful. Calcium, multivitamin and trace elements supplements are of help. Analgesic such as ibuprofen are useful for pain relief. You will need chest x ray and clinical examination by chest physician to exclude for chest related causes. You can discuss with your doctor about it.

Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor. I also forgot to tell you that my hands have been cramping up as well so I think you are correct.... a vitamin deficiency. I just had my lab work done so hopefully the lab results will help figure it out.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vitamin tests specially vitamin D will be of use.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Most common cause is likely vitamin deficiency specially vitamin D3. I think calcium, vitamin D3 and trace elements supplements will be helpful.
Everything else already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you good health
Take care

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

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