Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does Squeezing Sensation Below The Sternum Indicate?
Posted on
Thu, 5 Feb 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 5 Feb 2015
Answered on
Thu, 5 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Last 3 day I've felt like someone is squeezing my stomach right below my sternum it comes and goes in pulsating waves every 2-5 min sometimes quicker sometimes it guys away for an hour. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Can be colitis as the most probable cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
The character of the pain which you explained like squeezing below the sternum, which comes and goes in pulsating waves every 2 - 5 minutes- sometimes quicker and sometimes goes way for an hour indicate that this may be due to a condition called colitis.
In colitis due to inflammation of the colon there can be spams which come and go the way you have explained.
Another possible causes other than colitis are :
Gastritis- inflammation of the stomach, ulceration or such conditions.
Intestinal obstruction.
Other reasons to be seen on investigations only.
I would like to know your other symptoms which may be nausea, vomiting, changed stools like constipation or diarrhea, bloating, fever or so. Your mentioning these will help me more to discuss in details about your problems.
The course of action on the basis of the symptoms you have written is as follows:
Test of blood, urine ans stool to rule out any general problems.
5-day course of an antibiotic, metronidazole, probiotic and antispasmodic like dicyclomin whenever required.
If required further tests of colonoscopy, Gastroscopy, ultrasonography and CT scan of the abdomen as per the previous reports or on the knowledge of detailed history and a physical examination by a Doctor , preferable a Gastroenterologist.
I hope this answer helps you to get started towards proper diagnosis, investigations and treatment to get a cure.
Please feel free to ask for more and relevant question if you need to.
Can be colitis as the most probable cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
The character of the pain which you explained like squeezing below the sternum, which comes and goes in pulsating waves every 2 - 5 minutes- sometimes quicker and sometimes goes way for an hour indicate that this may be due to a condition called colitis.
In colitis due to inflammation of the colon there can be spams which come and go the way you have explained.
Another possible causes other than colitis are :
Gastritis- inflammation of the stomach, ulceration or such conditions.
Intestinal obstruction.
Other reasons to be seen on investigations only.
I would like to know your other symptoms which may be nausea, vomiting, changed stools like constipation or diarrhea, bloating, fever or so. Your mentioning these will help me more to discuss in details about your problems.
The course of action on the basis of the symptoms you have written is as follows:
Test of blood, urine ans stool to rule out any general problems.
5-day course of an antibiotic, metronidazole, probiotic and antispasmodic like dicyclomin whenever required.
If required further tests of colonoscopy, Gastroscopy, ultrasonography and CT scan of the abdomen as per the previous reports or on the knowledge of detailed history and a physical examination by a Doctor , preferable a Gastroenterologist.
I hope this answer helps you to get started towards proper diagnosis, investigations and treatment to get a cure.
Please feel free to ask for more and relevant question if you need to.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
