# Random body question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 9, 2005, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393 "2005-10-09T11:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/1 "2005-10-09T11:59:52Z")
When you breathe in and it feels like you’ve snagged your lung on a rib and you’re stuck taking shallow breaths until it goes away - what is that? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/2 "2005-10-09T12:13:24Z")
Upper chest stitch. I think Cecil has written something about this, but I can’t find anything online. [This site](http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_5/227.shtml) reckons it might be a spasm of the diaphragm. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/3 "2005-10-09T12:17:06Z")
I hate to be one of those people, but it could possibly be something worse. Anything from a broken rib to pneumonia. There’s no differential diagnosis we can give you on line. So…say it with me, everyone… Best to see your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/4 "2005-10-09T12:23:56Z")
Yes, I agree with **WhyNot**. If this keeps happening – get to a physician. Quickly. ---
**Author:** ![surrotobeinMD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@surrotobeinMD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/surrotobeinMD)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/5 "2005-10-09T12:32:26Z")
I know just what you’re talking about. I don’t think broken rib or pneumonia. This happens to me from time to time. It only lasts about less than a minute. I will say, though, I haven’t had it happen in quite a long time. The diaphragm spasm thing sounds familiar… like maybe I read about it before… I never remember to ask when I’m at the doctor. However, if this is something that lasts for an exteneded period of time than maybe it’s not something to look into at your leisure, but maybe now. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/6 "2005-10-09T13:09:52Z")
Noooo, it’s nothing serious. This isn’t a medical question. Don’t lock the thread, please D: It’s just one of those mysterious things you get… for no apparent reason. It lasts less than a minute, like the above poster said. It doesn’t happen often enough for me to be able to come up with a frequency. Mmmph. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/7 "2005-10-09T13:12:42Z")
Oh, and it doesn’t sound like **IceWolf** ’s link. This doesn’t happen for any obvious reason. Kinda like hiccups. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2005, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-body-question/325393/8 "2005-10-09T13:30:33Z")
_Frequently_, the symptoms described by the OP represent a bit of localized spasm of the muscles between the ribs in a specific area. Painful, but the cause is generally trivial. However, it can also be pleurisy, infection, tumor, trauma, etc. etc. If you have these symptoms and they concern you, see your doctor. QtM, MD