Dull pain on the right side of the xiphoid process

The dull pain on the right side of the xiphoid process is not only caused by abnormalities of the xiphoid process, but may also be caused by chronic superficial gastritis. The specific situation needs to be diagnosed based on the individual cause. In addition to pain, chronic superficial gastritis also has other symptoms. We need to have a full understanding of this disease and make judgments based on our own situation. Let’s take a look at the situation of chronic superficial gastritis.

The sternum is a flat bone located in the middle of the chest. The upper part of the sternum is wider and is called the manubrium. The middle part of the sternum is rectangular and is called the body of the sternum. The lower end of the sternum is a thin bone of irregular shape called the xiphoid process. The xiphoid process is located at the lower end of the sternal body. The upper end is connected to the sternal body, and the lower end is free, approximately level with the ninth thoracic vertebra. The sternum looks like a sword pointing downward, and the xiphoid process is the lowest part of the sternum.

Xiphoid process, there is a xiphoid cartilage at the lower front end of the chest wall in the heart area, which plays a role in protecting the heart. If this place is hit violently, the heart will be strongly shaken, causing the xiphoid cartilage to directly press on the heart. It can also directly stimulate the central nervous system above the stomach, causing people to immediately feel chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, or due to the fracture of the xiphoid cartilage, the cartilage stump can easily pierce the heart. It may also be chronic superficial gastritis.

Clinical manifestations of chronic superficial gastritis

1. Upper abdominal pain

The most common symptom is epigastric pain, which occurs in most patients with chronic superficial gastritis. Most upper abdominal pain is irregular and has nothing to do with diet. The pain is generally diffuse upper abdominal burning pain, dull pain, bloating, etc. Symptoms are often aggravated by eating cold, hard, spicy or other irritating foods, and in a few cases are related to climate change.

2. Abdominal bloating

Patients with chronic superficial gastritis often have abdominal distension. It is often caused by food retention in the stomach, delayed emptying, and indigestion.

3. Belching

The patient has belching. It indicates that the gas in the stomach increases and is discharged through the esophagus, temporarily relieving the upper abdominal fullness.

4. Recurrent bleeding

It is a common symptom. The cause of bleeding is an acute inflammatory change of the gastric mucosa occurring on the basis of chronic superficial gastritis.

5. Others

Loss of appetite, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, constipation or diarrhea, etc.

6. Physical signs

There is upper abdominal tenderness during examination, and a few patients may have weight loss and anemia.