Pain under left rib cage and lower back

Pain in the back ribs can happen for many reasons. It can result from an injury, but it can also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as osteoporosis, gallstones, or a lung condition. The pain may be sharp or dull and mild or severe. Often, the pain resolves without intervention, but it can sometimes indicate a more serious medical condition that requires specialist care.

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 under left rib cage and lower back

Pain under the left rib cage area can be concerning, as it may indicate a problem with the organs or other structures in that area. The left rib cage houses vital organs such as the heart, spleen, left lung, and part of the stomach, all of which are necessary for the body to function. Pain on the left side under the rib cage can range from mild to severe, and it may also come with other symptoms that could indicate more clearly what is going on. You might be experiencing pain around your chest or abdominal area for several reasons. For example, the pain may be caused by costochondritis , an inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, or more serious issues like an enlarged spleen or pancreatitis. Whatever the cause, it can be a good idea to be aware of the potential causes and symptoms to seek the right course of action if necessary. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek immediate medical attention. Continue reading to learn more about possible causes of pain under the left rib cage and what to do about it. Various health problems can cause pain under the left rib cage. Some common causes of pain on the left side under the rib cage include injuries, inflammation, and issues related to the organs in the surrounding area. Here are potential explanations for this type of pain:. Injuries such as broken ribs, muscle strains, or other types of damage to the rib cage can lead to pain in the region. These injuries can be caused by physical trauma or excessive strain from activities like sports or heavy lifting. In addition, bruising of the ribs , which can occur due to a forceful impact or repeated pressure, can also result in discomfort and tenderness in the rib area.

This is more likely if the pain is intense or there are other symptoms.

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. If you have pain in your chest, you might worry about a serious condition, such as a heart attack. Depending on the cause, left rib pain might feel sharp and stabbing, or dull and aching. For many people, pain in this area is due to a benign not harmful , treatable cause. Chest pain can sometimes signal a medical emergency, such as a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include :.

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. It is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. This inflammation can cause an intense pain under the left rib cage that can radiate to the back. Other symptoms of pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting and fever. See how these symptoms vary from pancreatic cancer. Usually, the most common cause of pancreatitis is excessive alcohol intake, however it can also be caused by viral infections like measles or mumps , gallbladder stones, cystic fibrosis or use of certain medications like liraglutide, losartan, or corticosteroids.

Pain under left rib cage and lower back

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Pain in the rib cage can result from injury or an underlying medical condition. Treatment may depend on the cause of the pain.

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Yes No. A doctor can see these changes using imaging tests. 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. This inflammation can cause an intense pain under the left rib cage that can radiate to the back. Injury, infection, or GI problems can cause pain on the left side under the rib cage. Not everyone who has a heart attack has obvious warning signs. Looking for a prescription? Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum. A new study helps further our understanding of the benefits of yoga for low back pain relief. These injuries can be caused by physical trauma or excessive strain from activities like sports or heavy lifting.

The kidneys rest against the muscles of the lower back, which can make it hard to tell the difference between kidney pain and lower back pain.

Pain on the left side under the rib cage can range from mild to severe, and it may also come with other symptoms that could indicate more clearly what is going on. They may follow up an ECG with an echocardiogram to check for pericarditis, a weak heart muscle, or problems with your heart valve. Looking for a prescription? Is it asthma or bronchitis? An enlarged spleen , also called splenomegaly, can cause symptoms such as:. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. 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. A person may need to undergo surgery, chemotherapy , and radiation therapy. Researchers are unsure what causes it, but it is more common in females than in males. Consider it a warning sign that warrants further attention. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and can occur in the thoracic discs, facets, costotransverse, and costovertebral joints, causing back pain in the ribs.