What Causes Severe Spasms In The Sternum Area?

Posted on Mon, 28 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 Answered on

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Woke up with a large spasm in sternum area.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms could be related to a musculo-skeletal pain. A wrong position during sleeping or sweating during sleep could be the cause.

I recommend taking ibuprofen 400mg coupled with acetaminophen. A muscle relaxant like Flexeril 5mg could also be helpful.

Have you suffered from indigestion or stomach problems (like gastritis, gastro-esophageal reflux)? An antiacid may also be needed, if you have had such troubles before.

If your symptoms are not relieved within the next hour by these drugs, I would recommend going to the ER for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a chest X ray study
- a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes
- complete blood count
- ESR and PCR for inflammation.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Feel free to ask me again whenever you need!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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