Right side stabbing pain under rib cage

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:
Costochondritis
Costochondritis refers to the inflammation of the cartilage which connects your ribs to your breastbone. You might feel a sharp pain under the left rib if you take a deep breath which can worsen while coughing or sneezing.

Costochondritis can happen due to an injury, infection and in rare cases, arthritis.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is a condition which leads to an inflammation of the membrane around your lungs. The inflammation can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection in the membrane. In rarest of the rare cases, pulmonary infections which lead to blood clots or pus in the lungs can also be a symptom of pleurisy. The symptoms of pleurisy could be chest pain, fever and shortness of breath.

Kidney stones
In many cases, a sharp stabbing pain can also be caused by kidney stones. Kidney stones are not easy to detect and can happen at any point of time. They usually happen when waste builds up in your kidney and does not get enough water to flow out.

In order to prevent kidney stones, you must drink enough water and not control the urge to urinate.

Gastritis
Gastritis refers to the swelling in the inner lining of your stomach. It can also cause a sharp pain under the left rib along with other symptoms such as burning pain in your stomach, nausea or a sensation of fullness of your upper abdomen.

Bacterial infections and consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs are the main reasons which lead to Gastritis.

Enlarged spleen
An enlarged spleen can also be the reason behind you experience stabbing pain under your left rib. The spleen might enlarge because of bacterial infection, parasitic infection or a liver disease.

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.

Do you experience sharp pain under your right rib cage and are unsure whether to take it seriously? The part of your body below your right rib cage is the upper right quadrant (RUQ). Pain in this area can affect nearby organs, including the right kidney, gallbladder, and liver. Although not every kind of pain is anything to worry about, it’s essential to know what is causing it and when to see a doctor.

Pain under the right rib cage: Should I get medical help?

Ask yourself the following questions if you have pain under the right rib cage:

• Is the pain severe or persistent?
• Do you also have a fever?
• Are you short of breath?
• Is there blood in your stool?
• Did you cough up blood?
• Is your urine darker and stool lighter than usual?
• Do you have jaundice?
• Have you lost weight?

Immediately visit a doctor if you answer “yes” to any of these questions because these symptoms could be a sign of a serious medical condition. But if your answer is “no” to these questions, read along to know the possible causes of the pain below your right rib cage.

Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage: Causes

As mentioned earlier, there are several important organs just below the right side of your rib cage, including the gallbladder, liver, right kidney, pancreas, and intestines. Sudden pain in the RUQ is not always a point of concern. Some people experience this pain because of gas accumulation in the large intestine (known as a hepatic flexure) near the rib cage. This could be a reason, especially if you often suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort.

Another reason for this pain could be strained or injured intercostal muscles. These muscles facilitate the movement of your rib cage. For instance, if you’ve turned or twisted your body and pulled up the muscle, you can experience pain under your rib cage. In this case, you should rest to alleviate symptoms.

Pain below the right cage: When is it an emergency?

Sometimes, sharp pain in the right upper quadrant can signify a serious medical condition. In most cases, people have developed gallstones when they experience excruciating pain after eating a large meal. This condition occurs when there’s excessive cholesterol in the bile.

Liver problems can also cause pain near the right rib cage. They can be due to an abscess formation, hepatitis, or cancerous growth. Their symptoms typically include nausea, fever, tenderness near the affected area, dark urine, and fatigue.

You can also experience this pain due to kidney problems, including cancer, infection, and kidney stones formation. Symptoms include fever, nausea, fatigue, blood in urine, and pain while urinating.

If you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, visit a qualified health professional as soon as possible.

Conclusion

If you face sharp, sudden pain in the right upper quadrant or under the right rib cage, please visit Epic Heart & Vascular Center. We will diagnose your issues and address whether you require urgent treatment. Call us today at 832-432-1951 Houston and 832-952-1951 Willowbrook for an appointment.

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