Could I have slightly bruised my chestbone?!


Question: Weird question but I have a slight strange sensation in my chestbone the last few days. The closest thing I can describe it to is that slight burning sensation that you get with mild heartburn, but it's not in the right place to be heartburn. I'm not particularly uncomfortable. The feeling is sort of between my breasts (not my throat or actual chest) and it feels close to the surface but not quite 'in' my skin. I was wondering could it be because the other day I read about how in funeral parlours they sometimes rub the chestbone when confirming that someone is dead, because it really hurts and they would react. Well I tried without rubbing too hard, just to see does it hurt (which it totally does!) and I thought maybe I could have slightly bruised myself? If there are any medical students or doctors reading I'd love your opinion. I'm not too worried but I guess you can't be too careful when you have sensations of any kind in areas in or around the chest.


Answers: Weird question but I have a slight strange sensation in my chestbone the last few days. The closest thing I can describe it to is that slight burning sensation that you get with mild heartburn, but it's not in the right place to be heartburn. I'm not particularly uncomfortable. The feeling is sort of between my breasts (not my throat or actual chest) and it feels close to the surface but not quite 'in' my skin. I was wondering could it be because the other day I read about how in funeral parlours they sometimes rub the chestbone when confirming that someone is dead, because it really hurts and they would react. Well I tried without rubbing too hard, just to see does it hurt (which it totally does!) and I thought maybe I could have slightly bruised myself? If there are any medical students or doctors reading I'd love your opinion. I'm not too worried but I guess you can't be too careful when you have sensations of any kind in areas in or around the chest.

You can actually get heartburn there. The oesaphagus is quite long and if it becomes irritated as with acid reflux disease it can burn there. You may have just slightly bruised yourself, or you could have some kind of respiratory disease going on. If it doesn't clear up in a few days then go get it checked out.

As an EMT the chest rub is an invaluable tool used to gauge responsiveness. If we can't get a patient to respond to a hearty chest rub, then we know that this patient has something severe going on.

could very well be heartburn.
it sometimes occurs higher up than where you think your stomach is situated.

HINT: try taking heartburn medication (gaviscon or ranitidine) and see if it gives relief.

TIP: cut down on fatty foods, spicy foods and alcohol/cigarettes as this exacerbates heartburn.

good luck.





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