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Common Questions

Q

What could cause pain in the middle of the rib cage?

Pain in the middle of the rib cage can be caused by inflammation in the rib joints (costochondritis), irritation of the nerves between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia), or by the rib slipping and pressing on nearby tissues.

Q

What could cause pain in the ribs on the left side?

Pain in the ribs on the left side can be caused by several issues such as costochondritis, intercostal neuralgia, twelfth rib syndrome, or rib mediated non-cardiac chest pain.

Q

What could cause pain on the inner side of the knee?

Pain on the inner side of the knee can come from a few things, like inflammation of a small fluid sac (pes anserine bursitis), irritation of a nerve (saphenous neuritis), or a small tear in the knee’s inner structures (meniscocapsular separation).

Q

What could cause pain on the lower left side of my stomach?

Pain on the lower left side of your stomach can be caused by a variety of conditions. It could be due to problems in the colon, bowel, or even a rare form of appendicitis or other conditions.

Q

What could cause problems maintaining an erection with a new partner, and is low testosterone a factor?

Erection problems with a new partner may be caused by stress or anxiety and sometimes low testosterone can play a role, but many factors can work together.

Q

What could cause random episodes of knee pain?

Random knee pain can happen when the knee joint feels unstable or when arthritis causes sudden flares. These changes in the knee, sometimes seen in osteoarthritis, may make the joint hurt unexpectedly.

Q

What could cause right lower belly pain during pregnancy?

Right lower belly pain during pregnancy can be caused by conditions such as adnexal (ovarian) torsion, appendicitis, or complications like uterine rupture, especially in women with a previous cesarean scar.

Q

What could cause severe pain in the ribs?

Severe rib pain might be caused by a broken rib, inflamed joint areas (costochondritis), or irritated nerves (intercostal neuralgia).

Q

What could cause sharp knee pain when descending stairs?

Sharp knee pain when going down stairs can sometimes occur because of problems with the kneecap and its cartilage, like patellofemoral syndrome or chondromalacia patella.

Q

What could cause simultaneous feelings of depression and fatigue, and is low testosterone a contributing factor?

Both depression and fatigue can be caused by many things like stress, poor sleep, or hormonal changes. Research shows that low testosterone may play a role in these symptoms, but it is only one factor among many.

Q

What could cause slight discomfort in the urethra for males?

Slight discomfort in the urethra can be caused by mild infections, irritation, or small injuries such as urethritis or dysuria.

Q

What could cause swelling in the lower right abdomen without pain?

Swelling in the lower right abdomen without pain may be due to benign conditions like a non-tender hernia, a lipoma (a benign fatty tumor), or a cyst, and occasionally it may represent lymph node enlargement from past mild inflammation that isn’t currently painful.

Q

What could cause swelling on the left side of my stomach?

Swelling on the left side of the stomach can have several causes, such as a collection of blood from an injury (a hematoma), bloating from digestive issues, or even constipation.

Q

What could cause swelling on the right side of the lower abdomen?

Swelling on the right side of the lower abdomen can result from several causes including complications of appendicitis (such as an abscess or fistula), an appendiceal mucocele, an ovarian cyst rupture or torsion, abdominal wall endometriosis, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, or, in rare cases, conditions like neuronal intestinal dysplasia.

Q

What could cause the absence of armpit hair despite having pubic hair, and is it related to testosterone levels?

Not having armpit hair but having pubic hair can happen because different hair follicles respond differently to hormones like testosterone rather than always meaning low testosterone.

Q

What could cause the left side of my chest to feel funny?

There are many reasons why the left side of your chest might feel funny. It could be related to your heart, your esophagus (the tube that goes from your mouth to your stomach), or even your muscles and bones.

Q

What could cause the navel to protrude?

The navel can protrude due to an umbilical hernia, fluid buildup in the abdomen (such as from liver issues), or weakening of the abdominal muscles and structure.

Q

What could cause the urethral opening to itch in females?

Itching around the urethral opening in females can be caused by infections like yeast infections, urethritis, or even irritation from chemicals. Sometimes, other issues like bladder infections may also lead to discomfort in that area.

Q

What could cause tightness in the chest on the left side?

Tightness in the left chest can be caused by heart-related issues like angina, inflammation of the chest wall (costochondritis), or sometimes unusual conditions involving the digestive system.

Q

What could cause upper left abdominal pain that comes and goes?

Sharp, recurring pain in the upper left belly can be caused by conditions like epiploic appendagitis, diverticulitis, or even an unusual presentation of appendicitis if the organs are positioned differently.

Q

What could it indicate if my knee hurts when pressure is applied?

When your knee hurts under pressure, it might mean that there’s inflammation, fluid buildup (effusion), or issues with how the kneecap is aligned.

Q

What does a cancerous lump feel like in the abdomen?

A cancerous lump in the abdomen is often felt as a firm, hard, and irregular mass that tends to be fixed to underlying tissues and may not be tender in its early stages.

Q

What does a red urethra indicate in males?

A red urethra in males can be a sign of inflammation or infection in the urethra, often seen with urethritis.

Q

What does it mean if i have a hard lump in my stomach/abdomen?

A hard lump in your stomach/abdomen could be a sign of a growth like a benign tumor, a cyst, or other changes in this area. It is important to have it checked by a doctor to find out exactly what it is.

Q

What does it mean when you feel tightness in your chest?

Feeling tightness in your chest can be a sign that something is affecting your heart, breathing, or digestive system, and it’s important to have it checked if it worries you.

Q

What does it mean when your urethra hurts, and should i be concerned?

Urethral pain means you feel discomfort in the tube that carries urine out of your body. It could be due to an infection, irritation, or injury, and you should talk to a doctor if the pain lasts more than a day or gets worse.

Q

What exercises are recommended for reducing knee pain?

Low‐impact aerobic exercises, resistance training, and balance/flexibility exercises can help reduce knee pain by strengthening muscles and improving joint stability.

Q

What exercises can help relieve a tight chest?

Exercises like chest expansion, breathing techniques, and chest mobilization can help stretch your chest muscles and make it easier to breathe, which may relieve tightness in your chest.

Q

What exercises can help relieve inner knee pain?

Exercises that focus on strengthening, stretching, and low-impact activities can help relieve inner knee pain. These exercises target the muscles that support the knee and improve stability and flexibility.

Q

What factors contribute to weaker erections with age, and is testosterone a factor?

As men age, weaker erections can be due to several factors like reduced blood flow, nerve changes, and lower testosterone levels, with low testosterone being one part of a bigger picture.

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