I'm a 37-year-old woman and I've been having trouble breathing and experiencing chest pain under my ribs on the right back side when I'm lying down. It feels a bit better when I lay on my left side, but I'm not able to sleep well and even make grumpy noises in my sleep. During the day, I seem to be okay and can go about my usual activities, but I'm really worried about what could be causing this. I haven't had any symptoms like those of Corona, but I'm still scared to go to the hospital. What do you think could be going on?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

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gastritis

Dr. Anshul Suggests...

Consult a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

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Answered 04/07/2025

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Possible Causes
a. Musculoskeletal issues, such as a pulled muscle or rib inflammation.
b. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other digestive issues.
c. Less commonly, respiratory conditions or cardiac issues.
Immediate Actions
a. Try sleeping with an extra pillow to elevate your head.
b. Avoid heavy meals before bedtime.
c. Monitor symptoms for any changes or worsening.
When to Seek Medical Attention
a. If pain worsens or is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, or dizziness.
b. If symptoms persist despite self-care measures.
Recommendation
Consider consulting a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation to rule out serious conditions.

Recommended next steps

Consult a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist or Consult a Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist

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Answered 10/09/2025

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