Pain on left hand side below ribs

People can experience pain under the ribs in the upper left abdomen for many reasons. Some possible causes include gastrointestinal issues and injuries to organs within the area. The rib cage attaches to the breastbone and spine, and the ribs protect many vital organs.

Pain under the left rib cage is commonly a sign of pancreatitis, kidney stones, or inflammation in the stomach. However, it can also be associated with injury to any other organs located in the upper left abdomen, such as the heart, spleen, pancreas, lung or left kidney. Pain in injured, left-sided organs can be sudden and is usually accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or increased pain with movement, coughing or sneezing. Since pain under the left ribs can be caused by so many different problems, it should always be assessed by a doctor preferably a gastroenterologist , specially if it is very intense or if it lasts for more than two days. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach, in the left upper quadrant.

Pain on left hand side below ribs

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, and lung. Life-threatening causes include heart attack. Read on to find out the possible causes and symptoms of this type of pain and what you should do. If you suspect you may be having a heart attack or another medical emergency, call or your local emergency number immediately. One of the most common symptoms of a heart attack is tightness, pain, aching, pressure, or squeezing in your chest or arms. This may spread to your jaw, back, or neck. You may have all or just one or two of these symptoms, but if you experience any of these heart attack warning signs and think you may be having a heart attack, call or your local emergency number immediately. Learn more about symptoms and treatment for heart attack. This may cause tightening or pain in your chest, jaw, back, shoulders, and arms. Learn more about symptoms and treatment for angina. Pericarditis is caused by the swelling of the membrane around your heart. This membrane, which also becomes irritated, is called the pericardium. There are five types of pericarditis.

People that experience chest pain need to see a doctor immediately. Ulcer surgery may also be indicated for more serious cases.

Individuals can experience a painful sensation in the upper part of the left abdomen directly under their ribs for several reasons. Some of the possible causes will include gastrointestinal conditions and problems or an injury that affects specific organs around the left upper part of their body. The rib cage is attached to the spine and the breastbone, while the ribs perform the function of protecting many of the vital organs. The organs found on the left-hand side include:. Here is an overview of 10 common causes of left upper abdominal pain that occurs under the ribcage, along with when an individual with these symptoms should seek medical attention. Pain that occurs frequently in the upper abdomen could be IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is linked to several symptoms that affect the GI gastrointestinal tract.

Take pain below the ribs quiz. Our clinically-backed AI will ask you questions and provide an answer specific to your unique health situation. Your response today was provided by ChatGPT trained on the proprietary content of this page. Please note, this tool is for information purposes only and not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice. You assume responsibility for decisions made with your individual medical situation. Thank you! Buoy values your feedback. Pain below the rib cage may be caused by organs in the chest cavity which are protected by your ribs or ones just below it. These include the lungs, diaphragm, intestines, stomach, and gallbladder.

Pain on left hand side below ribs

Pancreatitis is associated with pain and a handful of other symptoms, some of which can be severe. There are two types of pancreatitis : acute and chronic. Gallstones and alcohol are the two main causes of acute pancreatitis. The most common symptom of both acute and chronic pancreatitis is pain in the upper abdominal area , usually under the ribs. This pain:. The pain of gallstone pancreatitis, for instance, is usually sudden, stabbing, and may radiate to the back. The pain of alcoholic pancreatitis, on the other hand, may develop more slowly and be less localized. In addition to abdominal pain , nausea and vomiting are hallmark symptoms of acute pancreatitis.

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When a spleen ruptures it requires immediate medical attention and it can result in excessive internal bleeding. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Severe pain can sometimes make…. What to do: If you have any symptoms that could indicate pericarditis, you should see a cardiologist. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person. Causes of left rib pain. Right side abdominal pain is typically not serious and is usually just a sign of built-up gas in the intestine. What to do: It is important to consult a gastroenterologist for testing that confirms a stomach ulcer, like an endoscopy. A bowel obstruction in this area can also cause intense pain, and may present with symptoms like vomiting, lack of bowel movements, cold sweats and fever. Appendicitis occurs when your appendix is inflamed. Consult a medical professional who can properly identify the potential causes of pain under the left rib cage and recommend treatment for any underlying conditions. Summary Tenderness or pain that occurs in the upper left side of the abdomen directly under the area of the ribs, could be a result of various conditions or broken ribs that can affect the organs nearby.

Your left ribs protect the organs that sit below them, like your heart and your stomach. Pain in this area can be caused by injury, infection, or an underlying condition.

Latest news Another 3 common pesticides are now linked to Parkinson's disease risk. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Please follow the instructions in that email so that we can continue to contact you and respond to your inquiry. For instance, pain caused by costochondritis tends to improve within a few days to weeks , although it may last up to several months in some cases. You may have diaphragm pain that goes beyond the minor twitches caused by hiccups. Type your drug name. Upper stomach pain can occur for many reasons, like gastritis, reflux or indigestion. In addition to pain in your left rib cage, kidney stones can also cause:. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Learn more about the symptoms of heart disease and assess your risk if you suspect your pain may be related to a heart problem. What is slipping rib syndrome? Appendicitis occurs when your appendix is inflamed. These might include:. Can you inherit obesity from your parents? Fibromyalgia and chest pain: What is normal, symptoms, and treatment.