Dull pain under the left rib cage often comes from digestive issues (gastritis, IBS), musculoskeletal problems (costochondritis, strained muscles, bruised ribs), or spleen/kidney issues (enlarged spleen, kidney stones), but can also signal serious problems like pericarditis or pneumonia, requiring prompt medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. Because organs like the stomach, spleen, heart, and left kidney are located there, causes range from mild inflammation to potentially life-threatening conditions, so it's important to see a doctor.
If the pain is sharp and severe, it means there may be something really wrong with you, and you need medical attention. Some other worrying signs include fever if it is available, constant vomiting, or severe Summon pain below the left rib cage. Part of this is also to give importance to the context of the pain.
The primary organ under the left rib cage is the spleen, a fist-sized organ that filters blood and fights infection, located next to the stomach and behind the ribs, but other organs like the stomach, left lung, pancreas, left kidney, heart, and parts of the intestines are also in that general area. Pain in this area can stem from issues with any of these organs, including digestive problems, enlarged spleen, or kidney stones, so it's important to see a doctor for diagnosis.
While left side pain is often a sign of gas, it can also be a sign of a more serious condition such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, or stomach ulcers that would require urgent medical attention.
A person may mistake other conditions for rib pain. For example, a condition affecting the heart or lungs may cause referred pain in the ribs. However, there could also be less severe causes, such as indigestion. To get an accurate diagnosis, a person should contact a doctor if they experience rib pain.
Key Takeaways. Pain under the left rib cage can be a sign of a heart attack, which is a medical emergency. An enlarged or ruptured spleen, which may result from trauma, can cause sharp pain. Kidney infections can cause pain near the left rib along with fever and chills.
Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis
This aching pain often gets steadily worse and can travel along your back or below your left shoulder blade. Eating or drinking may also make you feel worse very quickly, especially fatty foods.
Diverticulitis pain feels like a sharp, constant cramp or ache, usually in the lower left abdomen, often accompanied by tenderness, bloating, fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea). The pain can start gradually or suddenly, may be intense, and might worsen after eating or ease slightly after a bowel movement, sometimes radiating to your lower back.
Left sided abdominal pain, usually just below the left rib cage does occur due to a bad gallbladder in some patients and this particular location can be the most difficult to diagnose as a bad gallbladder.
Under the left rib cage, there are several vital organs that play a crucial role in the body. They include the heart, left lung, pancreas, spleen, stomach, left kidney and portions of the large and small intestine.
The main symptom of chronic pancreatitis is pain in your tummy (abdomen). The pain may be: in the upper part of your tummy (just below your ribs), one side of your tummy or your whole tummy.
Tumors: While less common, rib pain can be associated with tumors, either primary (originating in the rib or surrounding tissues) or metastatic (spreading from other parts of the body). Conditions such as osteosarcoma or metastatic cancer from other sites (like breast, lung, or prostate cancer) can lead to rib pain.
Kidney pain often feels like a dull ache that gets worse if someone gently presses on that area. While it is more common to feel kidney pain on only one side, some health problems may affect both kidneys and cause pain on both sides of your back.
What does the pain of pancreatitis feel like? Abdominal pain from pancreatitis may be moderate to severe and may radiate to your back. Acute pancreatitis tends to be more severe, with a penetrating quality. Your abdomen may feel tender to the touch.
A few early signs that could indicate you're suffering from diverticulitis include:
Diverticulitis causes several noticeable changes in your poop, including altered color (bright red, maroon, or black), different shapes (thin, pellet-like, or irregular), and unusual texture (watery diarrhea or hard constipation).
Make an appointment to see a doctor if you have:
The most common cause of left lower abdominal pain in adults is diverticulitis , an inflammation of outpouchings that can develop in the colon.
Early signs of pancreatitis often include sudden, severe upper abdominal pain that might radiate to your back, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, a rapid heart rate, and tenderness in the belly, with pain often worsening after eating. Other signs can be greasy, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea), diarrhea, weight loss, and feeling generally weak or lightheaded.
Gastritis doesn't always cause symptoms. When it does, the symptoms of gastritis may include: Gnawing or burning ache or pain, called indigestion, in your upper belly. This feeling may become either worse or better after eating.
An enlarged spleen is usually detected during a physical exam. Your doctor can often feel it by gently examining your left upper belly. However, in some people — especially those who are slender — a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam.
Loss of appetite or early fullness.
If your spleen is beginning to malfunction, you may notice: Symptoms of anemia, such as weakness and fatigue. More frequent colds or infections. Easy bleeding and bruising.