29F - Abdominal Discomfort: Muscle Strain, Gas Accumulation, or Something More?
A few days ago, I decided to pick up dumbbells for the first time in quite a while, despite leading a mostly inactive lifestyle. I suspect my form wasn’t ideal. The following day, I began experiencing pain in my lower left abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. At times, this discomfort seems to radiate to my shoulder, presenting as a slight tension, and it intensifies when I breathe deeply. Initially, I didn’t fret too much since I had previously strained a muscle in the same area without sufficient cause for alarm; it eventually subsided on its own. Yet, here I am three days later, and the pain hasn’t shown signs of diminishing. It tends to alleviate during sleep and first thing in the morning, and it doesn’t bother me much when I’m seated. However, the discomfort intensifies significantly when I am up and about for extended periods. I’m beginning to question whether this might actually be gas accumulation, as the pain seems to worsen post-meal, accompanied by a strange feeling of tightness in my chest after eating. I have also been dealing with mild constipation, possibly a side effect of the 450mg daily dosage of Wellbutrin (Bupropion) I’m taking, but I did have a normal bowel movement yesterday. I am not experiencing any other distressing symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or dizziness.
Answers (1)
3/24/2025, 8:00:57 AM
OpenHealth AI
You’re experiencing persistent abdominal discomfort that may have several potential causes, including muscle strain, gas accumulation, or effects related to your medication. It’s good to be aware of these possibilities, and I’ll help you with some guidance on managing your symptoms.
Understanding Your Symptoms:
- The pain you describe could indeed be from a muscle strain, especially since you’ve recently started exercising after a period of inactivity. Muscle strains can cause localized pain that may intensify with movement.
- Gas accumulation can also lead to discomfort in the abdomen and chest, particularly after eating, along with feelings of tightness.
- Your mild constipation might be contributing to the discomfort, as it can cause bloating and pain in the abdomen.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Rest and Adjust Activity: Allow your body to recover by reducing physical activity that may worsen the pain. Focus on gentle movements and stretching, which can help alleviate tension.
-
Monitor Your Diet: Pay attention to foods that may be causing gas. Foods like beans, carbonated drinks, and certain vegetables can contribute to bloating. Try eating smaller meals and avoid heavy, rich foods for a few days.
-
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help alleviate constipation and aid digestion. Aim for at least 8 glasses a day, and consider warm liquids, which can sometimes help relieve discomfort and promote bowel movements.
-
Gentle Exercise: If you feel up to it, consider light activities like walking to stimulate digestion, but be mindful not to overexert yourself.
-
Heat Therapy: Applying a warm compress or heating pad to the area can provide comfort and help relax any tightened muscles.
-
Keep a Symptom Diary: Documenting your symptoms, including pain levels, dietary habits, and bowel movements, can help you identify patterns and triggers. This information can also be valuable if you seek further evaluation later.
If symptoms persist or worsen, or if you develop new symptoms such as severe pain, persistent vomiting, or fever, it’s advisable to seek professional medical advice. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further assistance!
Related Questions
Is This Just a Hangover?
Today, I’m not feeling my best, to say the least. Honestly, it feels as if I’m on the brink of death. Last night, I overindulged in alcohol, and now I’m suffering the consequences. I’ve been battling a severe headache and have experienced multiple bouts of vomiting, probably around ten times. My energy levels are nonexistent, leaving me feeling utterly drained. To make matters worse, my hands are tingling, and my complexion appears alarmingly pale. It’s an awful experience, to say the least. Could this just be the aftermath of a hangover? I certainly drank a considerable amount and I’ve vowed never to do this again. Age: 28, Male
Understanding My CT Scan Results
Subject: Female, 30 years of age Weight: 120 pounds Current medications: None A week ago, I experienced a facial injury and believed I might have a nasal fracture. After undergoing a CT scan yesterday, I received my results and am seeking clarification on their implications. The report indicates that there are no fractures present in my face; however, it does point out a deviated septum and the presence of bone spurs. Could this imply that my nose is intact and that surgical intervention is probably unnecessary? I appreciate any insights you can provide!
Seeking Assistance for Unexplained Symptoms
Hello, I’m a 15-year-old female, weighing 48.5 kg and standing at 162 cm tall, residing in Germany. At present, I’m looking for medical advice. My current medication status is none, and I have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). For the past seven months, I have been grappling with significant physical symptoms that have been largely dismissed as psychosomatic. In early 2023, I began experiencing an increased heart rate accompanied by dizziness, headaches, and episodes of near-fainting when I transition from sitting or lying down to standing. By July 2025, I noticed a gradual loss of appetite. Initially, it was mild, but it quickly escalated to a point where I no longer had any desire to eat. Once I did eat, I frequently felt nauseous, particularly with solid food, which caused painful stomach cramps and bloating. I lost around 4 kg over the initial months of these symptoms. Regrettably, my condition did not improve; it worsened, as I also experienced similar discomfort after consuming liquids. The only things I managed to take without significant pain were thicker fluids, such as drinkable yogurt and smoothies, but now even those are difficult for me. In September, I had a moderate depressive episode, for which I received psychotherapy and a prescription for Fluoxetine (20 mg). However, the medication induced severe side effects, including heightened nausea, drowsiness, muscle cramps, and weakness. My psychiatrist decided to discontinue the treatment abruptly, tapering off very quickly—after just two days at 10 mg daily, followed by 10 mg every other day for three days. One day, I became unresponsive and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, but no thorough examinations were conducted. While I was at school on October 11, I felt extremely fatigued, struggling to keep my eyes open. My condition deteriorated over the next couple of days, and by the 14th of October, I was unable to attend classes anymore. I began to experience severe fatigue along with muscle and joint pain, and general body aches. Despite sleeping extensively, my symptoms remained unchanged. I developed a significant intolerance to exertion, as even minimal activities like a brief 10-minute walk or sitting still for over an hour would lead to these overwhelming “crashes,” accompanied sometimes by a migraine or feelings of illness lasting 12 to 48 hours. Since mid-January 2026, I have been suffering from severe dizziness that sometimes prevents me from standing or walking normally. I have also experienced visual disturbances, like seeing dots in my left peripheral vision, and frequent facial numbness without relief. I was admitted to a psychosomatic unit, which only exacerbated my condition, putting me into a constant state of distress. I endured a prolonged migraine status for five days, which thankfully resolved gradually without any medical intervention. Many of my other days feel akin to being ill with the flu or suffering from poisoning. Whenever I discuss my symptoms with doctors or nurses, they attribute everything to either depression or a somatoform disorder, despite my persistent assertions that I do not feel depressed. I find the hospital I am at quite unfavorable. Previously, when I sought treatment for mesenteric lymphadenitis, they provided a placebo, insisting everything was psychological despite my existing diagnosis. I have undergone numerous tests, including a head MRI, endoscopy, ECG, echocardiogram, and various blood analyses. The MRI results were unremarkable, and the endoscopy showed no abnormalities. Both the ECG and echocardiogram returned normal results, and my blood work did not reveal much either, aside from a few slightly abnormal levels, which are listed below: - Vitamin B2: 333 - Vitamin B6: 76.3 - Vitamin A: 0.93 - Vitamin E: 32.0 - DAO: 5 - Histamine Degradation Ability: 34% - Ferritin: 19 - IgG: 192 - SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: positive - Albumin: 0.75 - Neutrophils: 66% - Lymphocytes: 9.9% - Leukocytes: 4,000 - Monocytes: 3.3 - Eosinophils: 12 - Basophils: 4.4 - Absolute Neutrophils: 0.3 None of these results appear alarming. I have also performed an Active Standing test myself, leading to the following averages: - Lay down Average Heart Rate: 75 bpm - Lay down Average Blood Pressure: 90/60 mmHg - Standing Average Heart Rate: 127 bpm - Standing Average Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg I am desperately seeking insight regarding my symptoms and would greatly appreciate any help or guidance on what might be happening.
Advice Needed on Possible Heart Condition (ASD)
Greetings everyone, I am a 27-year-old individual. Towards the end of 2022, a preliminary 2D echocardiogram raised concerns regarding a potential Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Consequently, I underwent several follow-up echocardiograms and treadmill tests throughout 2023 and 2024. Fortunately, all results returned to be normal, and subsequent assessments indicated no structural issues with my heart. I also had a thorough evaluation at Apollo Hospital, which yielded normal findings as well. Later, during a consultation at Manipal Hospital, I was informed that the symptoms I am experiencing might be linked to anxiety or excessive worrying. Additionally, my lab tests revealed elevated levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, which fall into the prediabetic category. Currently, I do not experience chest pain, but I Continue to suffer from palpitations and a fast heartbeat, particularly when engaging in physical activities like climbing stairs. Despite receiving normal cardiac evaluations, these troubling symptoms persist, leading me to wonder if ASD has truly been dismissed or if I should consider further testing. I would appreciate any guidance on this matter.
Should I Request a Heart Evaluation from My Doctor?
**Personal Details**: 24 years old, no medications or substances, no existing health diagnoses, non-smoker, non-drinker, maintaining a healthy weight and height, engaging in regular physical activity. **Context**: During my time at university, I resolved to overcome my previous disinterest in academics and poor performance in school by adopting a comprehensive approach. This included selecting a challenging major, crafting a plan to finish my degree two years ahead of schedule, aiming for nothing less than As on exams, and ensuring my relationships with family and friends remained intact. However, my dedication to this plan resulted in significant stress. As I invested more time and energy into my studies, my anxiety about potential failure, looming deadlines, chaotic group projects, and unrelated personal issues escalated. Ultimately, this manifested as complications with my heart and blood pressure. What is most alarming is how I became accustomed to these health changes and dismissed the warning signs. I neglected to seek help from doctors or consider treatment options, essentially ignoring the symptoms entirely. **Health Issues Faced**: 1. **Heightened Sensitivity to Adrenaline**: Simply walking outside among people and traffic triggered noticeable spikes in my blood pressure. Roughly every thirty seconds, I experienced tingling in my abdomen, followed by a surge of pressure in my neck and a momentary slowing of my heart to manage the influx of blood pressure. Over the course of an hour, these occurrences added up, leading to possibly hundreds of episodes over days and months—quite concerning. 2. **Palpitations**: While this was not a constant occurrence, when it did manifest, it lasted for one to two weeks at a time. I would feel my heart racing, even during moments of rest at home. This would happen several times a day, persistently from morning until night. 3. **Elevated Heart Rate**: This was a continuous issue; my resting heart rate frequently soared into the 90s, even while sitting quietly. It often felt as though I was exerting effort, akin to physical activity, though I remained still. 4. **Chronic Tension and Sleep Disruption**: I dealt with ongoing feelings of tightness and inadequate sleep, at times leading to strange waking perceptions, such as seeing geometric shapes on surfaces upon waking. While not directly related to the previous issues, this level of sleep deprivation is undoubtedly harmful to one's health. These issues persisted for approximately two and a half years, but I have since regained my health. Nonetheless, I can't shake the feeling that I may have compromised my cardiovascular health due to these symptoms, which is why I am contemplating a heart evaluation with my doctor. I sought the opinion of an AI, which seemed dismissive, suggesting that given my situation and assuming no hidden health conditions, long-term damage was unlikely—perhaps even impossible. However, I would rather hear insights from healthcare professionals, so I'm reaching out for advice. Please share your thoughts!