Have you ever taken a deep breath and felt a sudden sharp pain under the left rib? You might have thought at that point of time that it is a heart attack and an end of you. Pain under the left rib can cause a lot of anxiety, especially when you're a heart patient. As stinging the pain may be, the thought of experiencing an attack can be all the more tormenting. However, instead of rushing to conclusions, you must consider other ailments that can cause pain under your left rib. In case
you feel a stabbing pain below your left rib, you need not panic as it can happen due to other reasons too. We have listed some below for you: Show Costochondritis can happen due to an injury, infection and in rare cases,
arthritis. Kidney stones In order to prevent kidney stones, you must drink enough water and not control the urge to urinate. Gastritis Bacterial infections and consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs are the main reasons which lead to Gastritis. Enlarged spleen There are high chances that an enlarged spleen gets ruptured and cause further complications. A ruptured spleen can cause internal bleeding and must be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. Pancreatitis Another reason of pain under the left rib is Pancreatitis. It causes an inflammation of the pancreas which further instigates pain. Pancreatitis comes with additional symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include fever, stomach tenderness and abdominal pain that spreads to your back. Chronic pancreatitis can bring along unintentional weight loss and pain in upper abdomen. In case you experience pain on the left side of your rib along with cold sweat, shortness of breath, tightness in your jaw and shoulder blades, then there are high chances that you are suffering from a heart attack. In such a situation, you must not ignore it and rush to a hospital to seek medical help. Have you felt a piercing pain under your left rib when you take a breath or move just the slightest bit sometimes? While it is common to experience such pain, sometimes it can be an indication of an injury in the stomach or any vital organ on the left side of your body. In this article, we take a deeper look at the different factors behind the pain under your left rib. Sharp pain under the left rib cage could be due to a variety of reasons. Several organs are located in this region of your body – like your heart, spleen, lung, colon, kidney, pancreas, and stomach. Hence, the causes of the pain can be many. While most of these causes can be treated right at home, some of them could be life-threatening and may need immediate medical diagnosis, followed by appropriate treatment. The life-threatening causes of the pain under your left rib cage include: 1. Heart Attack Shutterstock The symptoms of a heart attack (other than pain under your left rib cage) are:
2. Angina
Shutterstock This is also a heart-related condition that can cause pain in that area. Angina refers to severe pain in the chest that may spread to the shoulders, arms, and neck. It occurs when the blood traveling to your heart lacks oxygen. Its symptoms are similar to that of a heart attack – like dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, sweating, etc. (2). 3. Pericarditis
Shutterstock This condition is caused due to the swelling of the membrane (pericardium) surrounding your heart. There are four types of pericarditis:
The symptoms of pericarditis are:
Your digestive tract may also be causing the pain under the left rib cage. The digestive causes of the pain under your left rib cage are:
Shutterstock Gastrointestinal disorders include conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, constipation, perianal abscesses, etc. The digestive causes of the pain under the left rib cage are:
As we have already mentioned, there are other organs located in the upper left abdominal region of your body, and issues with them can also trigger a sharp pain under your left rib cage. Such issues include:
Certain infections may also be responsible for the sudden ache in the left part of your chest like:
If you have developed any of the above health conditions, you are at a higher risk of developing pain under your left rib cage. Hence, it can be said that all these conditions act as risk factors for this pain. It is best to consult a doctor immediately if you experience any of the other symptoms of the life-threatening conditions listed above. Your doctor or cardiologist is most likely to carry out the following diagnostic analysis to rule out other conditions associated with the pain under your left rib cage. Diagnosis
Shutterstock Your doctor will begin with a physical examination and may ask whether you have a family history of a heart condition. If they suspect you have heart disease, you may be asked to take an electrocardiogram test to rule out the possible causes (4). Other tests include blood, urine, and/or stool test to look for other potential causes like kidney stones or pancreatitis. If the cause of the pain is not yet determined, you may be asked to undergo an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan so that your doctor can take a better look at your organs and areas of inflammation (if any). Once the cause of the pain is determined, your physician will prescribe treatments accordingly. TreatmentsTreatments are usually prescribed based on the cause of the pain. If any inflammation is causing the pain, you may be asked to take NSAIDs to relieve the pain and swelling (5). Bacterial infections may need you to take antibiotics, while conditions like kidney stones that are hard to pass may warrant surgery if drinking a lot of water does not remedy the situation. Immediate lifestyle changes or open bypass surgery may be needed for those whose upper left abdominal pain is associated with heart conditions like a heart attack (6). Sudden sharp pain under the left rib cage could have many reasons. In most cases, gas or esophageal issues could be the cause. While many of them can be treated right at home, some need a medical diagnosis. In addition, heart attack, pericarditis, and gastrointestinal disorders need immediate attention. Your doctor may prescribe some effective treatment options to relieve the pain. If you have severe pain that lasts more than a day, consult your doctor to determine the underlying conditions. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen to see a doctor for pain in the lower-left side of your chest? The cause of the upper left abdominal pain could vary from something as minor as heartburn to something as severe as a heart attack. If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of any of the life-threatening conditions listed above, along with lower left chest pain, see a doctor immediately. What organ is under my right rib cage? The liver is located at the lower right end of the rib cage. The right kidney and gallbladder are also located under the right rib cage. What organ is below the left rib cage? The organs located under the left rib cage or around its surrounding area are the heart, spleen, left lung, colon, left kidney, pancreas, and stomach. SourcesArticles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.
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Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology,... more Dr. Zeel Gandhi is an Ayurvedic doctor and an expert at providing holistic solutions for health problems encompassing Internal medicine,... more What does pain under left ribcage mean?Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes. There are several important organs in this area, including the: spleen kidney pancreas stomach colon lung. Life threatening causes include heart attack.
What organ is on the left side underneath the rib cage?Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms.
When should I worry about left side pain?Generally, intermittent left side pain is a sign of gas or indigestion and should pass on its own. But if you notice severe abdominal pain on the left side of your body in conjunction with any of the following symptoms, it's time to call the doctor: Fever. Nausea or vomiting.
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