You might have experienced pain under your left rib cage at some point in time.
The pain could have been mild or unbearable; it might have lasted for a long time or persisted only a few moments.
You might have felt the pain at or below your chest, or on either side of the naval.
The pain might have been accompanied by some other symptoms as well.
But, to know the exact cause of this pain it is necessary to understand the various factors that might have contributed to it.
The rib cage or, thoracic cage is a bone and cartilage structure which forms a core part of the human skeleton.
It protects various organs inside the thoracic cavity, chest and abdominal area.
We have analysed the various causes of pain under the left rib cage in the further sections of this article.
Table of Contents
Causes Of Pain Under Left Rib Cage
1. Indigestion
This condition may result from excess consumption of food; which slows down the process of digestion.
It leads to trapping and the accumulation of gases in the colon and causes a pressure to build up in the digestive system.
This leads to discomfort ranging from mild to severe in the rib cage area.
Also, Pneumothorax is a condition like trapped gas. In this case, when the lungs collapse due to a ruptured lung membrane, air gets trapped between the ribs and lungs.
This also results in pain under the ribs.
2. Acid Reflux
Excess consumption of acidic food or beverage might cause an acid reflux where there is not enough stomach acid to break down the food.
This condition might lead to heartburn and a bloated feeling. This condition is often confused with a heart problem since it is accompanied by sharp chest pain.
3. Spleen Irritation
The splenic capsule, which protects the spleen might get ruptured due to accidents or injuries. It might lead to internal bleeding in the abdominal area.
Such damage to spleen also leads to severe pain in the left rib cage.
Such pain moves gradually to the back or shoulders. Additionally, it might be accompanied by a sharp pain in the left shoulder.
4. Rib Damage
This is one of the most common reasons for a pain in the rib cage. Damage to the ribs is generally caused due to external factors such as falling, injury, vehicle accidents, etc.
In most cases, it restricts movement due to excessive pain in the affected area.
Yet, it is necessary to consult a doctor if the pain lasts for more than a few minutes or extends to the shoulder or arm area.
5. Respiratory Problems
The problems in the lungs, such as inflammation of lung linings can lead to pain on the left side of rib cage.
Respiratory infections like pneumonia, pleurisy, tuberculosis, lung cancer, pleural effusion can cause the same as well.
Further, the pain becomes worse due to prolonged and severe coughing.
6. Kidney Stone
Formation of a hard, crystalline mineral material in the urinary tract is known as a kidney stone.
The causes for same can be an excess of stone – forming substance in urine or decrease in urine volume.
Dehydration is a major risk factor for this condition. Kidney stones can lead to severe pain under the rib cage area.
7. Costochondritis
Infection in cartilages that bind the ribs to the breastbone is known as costochondritis.
The causes for the same might be a viral infection or a forceful impact on the shoulder and rib area.
This infection causes extreme pain in the rib cage area and breathing becomes laborious.
8. Stomach Ulcer
Ulcer in the stomach is caused by irritation or sores in the stomach lining or small intestine. The pain may be dull or acute, depending on the severity of the ulcer.
It causes a burning sensation between the chest and belly button area. Stomach ulcers aggravate when you are hungry.
Also, the ulcers might cause a pain under the rib cage which can shift up to the shoulder blade region.
Pain caused by ulcers can either last for a short duration or occur regularly depending upon the severity of ulcers.
9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This syndrome causes bloating, pain and cramps in the abdominal area. It can also result in diarrhoea or constipation by restricting normal bowel movement. Cramps in the intestinal area cause acute pain under the left rib cage.
10. Diverticulitis
This condition occurs as a result of the formation of pouches in the colon, which get infected or inflamed.
This is more common in aged patients with a weak colon system. This disease also results in pain under the left rib cage.
11. Viral Hepatitis
This infection has five varieties, each of them quite severe. The symptoms of such infection apart from pain under the rib cage include dark coloured urine and yellow eyes and skin.
This infection spreads easily, hence, you must restrict contact with other individuals.
12. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
This syndrome is found in women. It causes a dull, constant pain in the abdominal area and is also accompanied by fever.
13. Constipation
Constipation is a common cause of pain under the rib cage. It is characterised by the passage of hard stools.
In this condition, you have to exert excess pressure on the colon which results in pressure on the rib cage. Such pressure leads to pain and discomfort.
14. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can be of two types – acute or chronic. Chronic pancreatitis occurs after a case of acute pancreatitis.
It is a prolonged inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a vital body organ responsible for releasing digestive enzymes and important hormones in the body.
The pain in the abdominal region because of pancreatitis can be extremely acute in some cases.
The pain also moves from the abdomen to back and may increase due to eating food that has a high fat content.
This disease may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as high fever, nausea, high heart rate, etc.
The above list contains various causes of pain under left rib cage. These might range from external injuries to serious internal medical conditions.
Yet, there might be other specific causes of such pain. Also, the pain may arise in combination with other symptoms, such as pain in other parts of the body or after eating or due to breathing.
Causes Of Pain Under Left Rib Cage And Shoulder
In a case of certain conditions, the pain under left rib cage is accompanied by a pain in the shoulder blade. This can be both due to internal and external causes.
1. Myocardial Infraction Or Heart Attack
Heart attack is caused when a clot obstructs the free flow of blood through a coronary artery. This artery transports blood to the heart.
This can occur based on different factors such as your age, physical activity, the type and amount of food consumed, etc.
This condition results in severe pain in the left rib cage along with acute pain in the left shoulder.
Also, other symptoms in such a condition include short breath, nausea, sweating and fainting.
2. Dislocated Shoulder
Since the shoulder joint is flexible and extensively used, it is easy to dislocate it. This might occur due to accidents, sports or any other reason.
Although the dislocation might take place in any direction, it is most common in the forward direction or the anterior of the body.
A dislocated shoulder causes swelling, bruising, numbness or weakness on the affected side.
Additionally, this dislocation may also result in other internal injuries affecting the rib cage. This might cause pain and discomfort in the rib cage.
3. Rib Fracture
Rupturing of the rib in two or more parts or a fracture in the rib cage can cause acute pain. This may occur due to trauma from falling or injuries from sports or other physical activity.
A fractured rib might affect a major blood vessel causing internal injuries.
The common symptoms of such damage can be a sharp pain while breathing or pressing the affected area or during movement of the torso.
Pain In Left Rib Cage After Eating
You might experience pain or discomfort under the left rib cage after eating, immediately or after a couple of hours. This may happen due to various digestion related problems.
The causes for the same are generally internal.
1. Heartburn
The burning sensation you experience in your chest and back of your neck is known as heartburn. This is caused by food combined with stomach acids returning back to the oesophagus soon after consumption of food.
This condition occurs when the sphincter muscle malfunctions and allows stomach fluids to enter your throat. The malfunctioning of sphincter muscle occurs due to being overweight or consumption of excess spicy food.
Heartburn worsens due to lying on your back or bending over.
2. Peptic Ulcer
An open wound at the oesophagus, stomach or small intestines is known as the peptic ulcer. This ulcer causes pain under the rib cage every time you eat. Consumption of food and beverage can aggravate the open wound, which leads to discomfort in the chest.
3. Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a life- threatening allergic reaction that takes place when you consume a certain food or are exposed to a certain substance that you are allergic to.
The symptoms of such reaction apart from pain under the rib cage include breaking out of rashes on the face, faster heart rate, fall in blood pressure levels and facial inflammation. Such medical condition requires immediate medical attention.
Pain In Left Rib Cage During Pregnancy
As your body undergoes changes during pregnancy, it is sometimes normal to experience pain your abdomen.
This pain may be due to the accommodation of the growing baby inside your body. However, in certain cases, this pain might also have serious implications.
It is necessary to be well informed about various potential causes for the same.
1. Round Ligament Pain
Generally experienced in the second trimester, this type of pain is harmless during pregnancy.
In the case of round ligament pain, the ligaments running from your uterus to the groyne are stretched and cause pain. It can be either dull, lingering or a sharp, stabbing sensation when you change position.
2. Braxton Hicks Contraction
Due to this condition, you may experience a tightening of the stomach muscles such that your stomach feels firm and hard. This might be somewhat similar to actual contractions.
However, to make it easier to differentiate between the two it is important to note that actual contractions are very painful and make it difficult for you to carry out routine activities.
Braxton Hicks contractions pose no actual threat to the baby’s well- being.
Other General Causes
Common causes such as indigestion, kidney stones, stomach viruses and growing abdomen can also cause pain under the left rib cage. However, these causes are harmless and do not need to be a cause of concern for you.
1. Placental Abruption
This is a serious health condition where the placenta detaches itself from your uterus before the baby is born is known as placental abruption.
It causes your stomach to stay hard for quite some time, without relief. Symptoms of such condition include pain under the left rib cage, bloody discharge of fluid, premature breakage of water and back pain.
2. Urinary Tract Infection
This infection is not a cause of concern if treated on time. However, if the infection spreads from the urinary tract to your kidneys, it may pose serious complications.
The symptoms of the spread of this infection include pain under the left rib cage or above the pelvic bone. This may be accompanied by fever, sweats, chills and nausea.
While pain under the left rib cage can be caused by various reasons, it is important to carefully note the symptoms and consult a doctor if serious symptoms persist.
In the case of external injuries, there might be bruising on the surface making it easier to identify a cause of the pain.
In the case of internal problems such as ulcers and viral infections, you must look into related symptoms to identify the exact cause.
Pain under the rib cage might be entirely due to a simple problem such as gastric or indigestion and may occur as a one-time incident, or it might have underlying implications causing serious health problems.
In light of such a wide range of possibilities, it is best to keep a lookout for any serious symptoms.
In the case of internal problems such as ulcers and viral infections, you must look into related symptoms to identify the exact cause.
Pain under the rib cage might be entirely due to a simple problem such as gastric or indigestion and may occur as a one-time incident, or it might have underlying implications causing serious health problems. In light of such a wide range of possibilities, it is best to keep a lookout for any serious symptoms.
