Abdominal Discomfort
Greetings. I am a 25-year-old male. Recently, I've become aware of a peculiar discomfort in my abdomen. It started a few months ago, and I've noticed that when I take a deep breath and retain it, applying pressure to the upper right portion of my abdomen triggers pain. This sensation dissipates as soon as I ease the pressure. Additionally, I experience a similar pain when I bend forward and press beneath my ribs. This discomfort is localized to the area just beneath the sternum and extends to the right side, while I feel no pain on my left side. I am uncertain whether this pain originates from my internal organs or if it's muscular in nature. The sensation feels internal. Is this something I should be concerned about? Interestingly, I do not experience any pain when I touch that area without holding my breath. For context, I should mention that I have scoliosis, causing a deviation of my spine towards the right, which makes my right side appear more prominent than the left.
Answers (1)
8/22/2025, 9:32:05 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing localized abdominal discomfort that is affected by deep breaths and certain movements. While there are various potential causes for this type of pain, such as muscular strain or internal organ sensitivity, your situation merits some careful consideration.
Explanation
The nature of your discomfort, especially since it occurs only when pressure is applied, suggests it could be muscular, possibly related to the muscles around your rib cage or a result of altered biomechanics due to scoliosis. The fact that you feel pain only with specific pressures and movements and not when simply touching the area is a positive sign, as it may indicate that there's no immediate distress from your internal organs.
However, because there is still a persistent sensation, it’s wise to be cautious and observe the symptoms closely.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Your Symptoms:
- Keep a diary to track when the pain occurs, including activities you were doing when the discomfort started. Note any other symptoms (e.g., nausea, changes in appetite, or weight loss) that may arise.
-
Gentle Stretching and Strengthening:
- Engage in light stretching exercises focusing on your core and back muscles, which might alleviate some tension in the area. Pilates or yoga could be beneficial, but avoid positions that exacerbate the pain.
-
Apply Heat:
- Using a warm compress or heating pad on the area may help soothe discomfort and promote muscle relaxation. Make sure not to apply heat for too long to prevent burns.
-
Adjust Activity Levels:
- Be mindful of movements that seem to trigger pain. If bending forward or applying pressure causes discomfort, modify your activities accordingly.
-
Consider Over-the-Counter Pain Relief:
- If it's appropriate for you, non-prescription medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage any discomfort.
-
Seek Further Evaluation if Symptoms Change:
- If you start experiencing new or worsening symptoms—such as persistent pain, fever, or digestive issues—consider seeking a healthcare professional's evaluation to rule out any serious underlying conditions.
By focusing on these steps, you can take proactive measures while monitoring your condition. Let me know if there's anything specific you would like further clarification on or if there are additional concerns!
Related Questions
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?