Pain on left hand side below ribs

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.

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. On the left side of the body, these organs include the:. This article lists and explains 10 possible causes of upper left abdominal pain under the ribs and explains when a person with this symptom should contact a healthcare professional. Frequent pain in the abdomen can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome IBS.

Pain on left hand side below ribs

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. What to do: You should see a general physician or gastroenterologist, who may recommend admission to the hospital for IV treatment of fluids and analgesic medication. In more serious cases, surgery might be necessary. Diet changes like avoiding fatty foods can help to reduce risk of pancreatitis flares. Supplements like oral enzymes can also be recommended by your doctor.

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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.

Back to Health A to Z. Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas has become permanently damaged from inflammation and stops working properly. The pancreas is a small organ, located behind the stomach, that helps with digestion. Chronic pancreatitis can affect people of any age. It is more common in men. It's different from acute pancreatitis , where the inflammation is only short term. Most people with chronic pancreatitis have had 1 or more attacks of acute pancreatitis.

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:.

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Enlarged spleen symptoms typically include: Fatigue Feeling full when eating only small amounts of food Bleeding easily Anemia Recurrent or frequent infections Doctors usually aim at treating the underlying causes of this type of enlargement. When you experience pain under the left breast, it can have a variety of causes. Jennifer Peters Mar 08, A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency because it can cause extensive internal bleeding. Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD , is characterized by the backflow of stomach contents up to the esophagus and towards the mouth. Frequently asked questions. Learn more about symptoms and treatment for heart attack. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person. Pleurisy can be caused by bacterial, viral or fungal pneumonia, lung cancer or a pulmonary embolism. These conditions might include:. Always consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive treatment plan to help treat the underlying cause of pain. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Consult with a medical practitioner about discomfort or pain experienced in the left upper abdomen that occurs regularly and it is severe Seek immediate medical attention when abdominal pain is accompanied by these symptoms: Tar-like, black stools Weakness The person experiencing shortness-of-breath and chest pain, fever or dizziness should call and get medical attention immediately. Check out photos of abdominal bloating and read what may be causing your bloating and pain. However, certain issues are more common in people with IBS, and experts believe they may play a role in the development of the symptoms.

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.

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. These might include:. Infections are one of the most common causes of an enlarged spleen. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person. Search now! Inflammatory bowel disease. In rare cases, you may need surgery. It can also be one of the common symptoms of acid reflux. Frequent pain in the abdomen can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome IBS. A collapsed lung can occur when air gets in the space between the lung and the chest wall. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Healthcare professionals aim to treat the underlying cause of the enlargement.