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Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Get expert advice from current physicians on your health concerns, treatment options, and effective management strategies.

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Common Questions

Q

What could cause a lump in the upper abdomen below the sternum?

A lump below the sternum can be caused by superficial soft-tissue lesions such as a lipoma or cyst, or even infections like tuberculosis affecting the xiphisternal area.. It's important to have any new lump evaluated by a doctor.

Q

What could cause a lump on the left side of my stomach under the ribs?

A lump on the left side of your stomach under the ribs could come from a small hole in the muscles from coughing (a hernia), or from a growth in the rib area like a tumor, or from a distended stomach.

Q

What could cause a painful lump in the abdomen?

A painful lump in the abdomen can be caused by different conditions like cysts, tumors, or bleeding in the area. It is important to see a doctor to understand the exact reason and get the right treatment.

Q

What could cause chest pain that comes and goes intermittently?

Intermittent chest pain can be caused by non-cardiac issues like acid reflux or muscle strain, but it may also result from heart problems or nerve-related conditions.

Q

What could cause left lower belly pain during pregnancy?

Left lower belly pain during pregnancy can result from conditions like deep vein thrombosis, uterine rupture (especially in women with previous cesarean sections), ovarian cyst or rupture, or, less commonly, an ectopic pregnancy.

Q

What could cause pain in the lower right side of my stomach?

Pain in the lower right side of your stomach might be due to common problems like appendicitis or other conditions affecting your intestines or colon. Other causes could include, gas, constipation, right-sided diverticulitis, ovarian cyst rupture or torsion.

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 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 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 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 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 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 might cause my chest to hurt when taking a deep breath?

Chest pain when taking a deep breath can be due to problems in the lungs or chest wall, such as inflammation of the lung lining, muscle or cartilage irritation, or even rare conditions like shrinking lung syndrome.

Q

What might cause right lower abdominal pain at 6 weeks pregnant?

At 6 weeks pregnant, right lower abdominal pain can be caused by several conditions including appendicitis, ovarian cyst complications (such as rupture or torsion), or corpus luteum-related issues. It may also be related to other gastrointestinal or urinary causes.

Q

What specific factors contribute to chest pain in women?

The diverse causes of chest pain can present differently in women due to hormonal changes, smaller coronary arteries, and even how pain is perceived and expressed. These factors make chest pain in women sometimes appear different—often more subtle—than the classic symptoms seen in men.

Q

Why are the multiple lumps in my stomach fat painful?

Multiple painful lumps in the fat of your stomach may be due to Dercum's disease, a rare condition involving painful fatty deposits.

Q

Why do I experience chest pain when I breathe?

Chest pain when breathing can be due to conditions affecting your lungs or chest wall, such as inflammation of the lung lining (pleurisy) or musculoskeletal issues like costochondritis, and sometimes may be related to heart problems.

Q

Why do I feel a lump in my lower abdomen when lying down?

When lying down, you might feel a lump in your lower abdomen due to benign factors such as fat deposits, scar tissue or a small hernia—often related to previous surgery or natural body physiology—that become more noticeable in a relaxed position.

Q

Why do I feel a lump in my stomach when doing sit ups?

During sit-ups, you may feel a lump in your stomach due to shifts in your abdominal tissues or fat, muscle strain or herniation, or even nerve entrapment such as ACNES, all of which can become more apparent during exercise.

Q

Why do I feel a lump in my stomach when I am lying down?

A lump you feel in your stomach when lying down might be due to a hernia, like a Spigelian hernia, or a benign growth such as a lipoma that becomes more noticeable when you change position.

Q

Why do I feel a lump in the middle of my stomach when lying down?

A lump in the middle of your stomach when lying down could be due to an abdominal wall hernia (such as a Spigelian hernia), a localized hematoma, or in rare cases, a vascular issue. It’s important to have it evaluated for a proper diagnosis.

Q

Why do I have multiple lumps in my stomach fat?

Multiple lumps in your stomach fat are often due to lipomas, which are benign, non-cancerous growths of fat tissue. These are usually harmless, though any changes in size or discomfort should be evaluated by a doctor.

Q

Why is my left lower abdomen swollen?

Swelling in the left lower abdomen can be caused by conditions like diverticular disease or diverticulitis, gas or bloating from digestive issues, constipation, or other changes in the abdominal tissues.

Q

Why is my right lower abdomen swollen?

Swelling in your right lower abdomen can be due to inflammation from conditions like appendicitis, enlarged lymph nodes from infection or inflammation, colitis, ovarian cyst or rupture, constipation, or even generalized abdominal bloating that may appear more pronounced in that area.

Q

Why is the left side of the stomach bigger than the right?

The left side of your stomach is naturally larger than the right due to normal left-right asymmetry during embryonic gut development.

Q

Why is the lower left side of my stomach/abdomen larger?

A larger appearance in the lower left side of the abdomen is typically due to abdominal bloating—often caused by gas, fluid buildup, or changes in bowel habits—which can make one area seem more distended.

Q

Why would a female have a hard lump under her belly button?

A hard lump under the belly button in a female may be due to an umbilical hernia, an epidermal inclusion cyst, umbilical endometriosis, or, in rare cases, a metastatic deposit (Sister Mary Joseph nodule).

Q

Are there specific conditions that cause left side body pain in women?

In women, one-sided body pain can be linked to conditions like chronic pelvic pain, inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, or even widespread pain syndromes like fibromyalgia that sometimes show unilateral symptoms. Proper diagnosis by a healthcare provider is key for effective treatment.

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