Left Rib Cage Pain: Common Causes and Effective Treatments

Have you ever had a persistent ache or pain directly under your left rib cage? Although this pain may initially appear insignificant, it can provide a wealth of information about your health.

To put it simply, pain beneath the left rib cage might be frightening. Many people dread the worst—a heart attack—because of how close the heart is to the ribcage. Although left-side discomfort may be a sign of several cardiac issues, it can also originate from a variety of organ systems, each of which has a distinct set of possible reasons that can range from minor to fatal.

This article delves deeply into the riddle of pain beneath the left rib cage, examining its many different sources, related symptoms, and efficient remedies.

Anatomy of the Left Rib Cage

Your left rib cage is a strategic fortress that protects some of your body’s most sensitive and vital organs, not merely a wall of bones. The bones and joints that link them make up your rib cage, a component of your skeletal system.

The rib cage’s anatomy consists of 98 joints and 37 bones, which allow the structure to bend with one’s movements.

The heart and lungs, two essential organs in your chest cavity, are encased and shielded by your rib cage. When you breathe, it expands along with your lungs. Your rib cage, a component of your axial skeleton, aids in the formation of your body’s trunk. Additionally, it acts as a connection point for your diaphragm and other core muscles.

Among the bones are:

• 12 ribs on each side, totaling 24. The horizontal, curved bones that wrap around the sides of your torso and connect your spine in the back to your sternum (breastbone) in front are called ribs.
• T1–T12 are the 12 thoracic vertebrae. Separate, interconnecting vertebrae make up your spinal column. The thoracic vertebrae make up your thoracic spine, which is behind your chest.
• Your sternum is the vertical bone that runs along the front of your chest.

The joints consist of:

• 20 costal cartilages. These cartilage tips connect your sternum to the ends of your first ten ribs on each side.
• 20 costochondral joints. Each rib is joined to the matching costal cartilage tip by these joints.
• 10 joints between cartilages. These joints join your middle ribs’ costal cartilage tips (6–10 on each side).
• Twenty-four costovertebral joints connect each rib’s head to its matching vertebra.
• Your spine and ribs connect at 24 costotransverse joints. These joints provide a second attachment point, a bony bump located on the side of the vertebrae at the transverse process.

Read More: Broken Ribs – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Causes Of Pain Under The Left Rib Cage?

Some significant causes of pain under the left rib cage are listed below.

1. Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining is known as gastritis, and it can lead to stomach ulcers. The resulting discomfort is usually felt in the upper abdomen and can occur abruptly (acute) or develop gradually (chronic). Pain may radiate to the left rib cage since the stomach is right beneath the ribs on the left side of the upper abdomen.

2. Injuries To The Ribs

Sharp discomfort in the rib cage region might result from rib fractures or bruising caused by a direct impact on the chest, a fall, or even a bad cough. Muscle strains are even more frequent. Any of the intercostal muscles, which are found in the chest and between the ribs, might become strained. Muscle strain can result from carrying groceries or your infant over time; it doesn’t need to be a deliberate effort or a single incident.

3. Pleurisy

Pleurisy, or pleuritis, is a disorder characterized by inflammation of the pleura, the membrane that envelops the lungs. Lung cancer, a pulmonary embolism, or bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia can all result in pleurisy. Other symptoms include fever, dyspnea, shortness of breath, and pain.

4. Acid Reflux Or Heartburn

If there is too much acid in the stomach, which can reach your chest, you may experience heartburn or acid reflux. These excess acids may also enter the rib cage region and cause pain under the rib cages. This condition may also erupt after the uncontrolled consumption of food. The pain will start in the abdomen and spread to the rib cages. It can be felt under the right, left, or ribs, resembling the pain caused by heart conditions.

5. Stomach Ulcer

The pain under the left rib cage may also arise due to the formation of a stomach ulcer. A stomach ulcer may be the primary cause of the very sharp pain you feel. The pain due to the stomach ulcer may also be felt in the abdomen region as well as between the shoulder blades.

6. Costochondritis

An infection of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum, a bone at the center of the chest, is called costochondritis. The sternum supports the clavicles and rib cage. Arthritis, physical trauma, or infection can all cause this inflammation.

7. Kidney Stones

When calcium and salt deposits solidify and form stone-like lumps, kidney stones can result, disrupting urine flow. Additional symptoms may appear, including blood in the urine, temperature above 38ºC (or 100.4ºF), nausea, vomiting, and burning when urinating. Although they can affect women and children, kidney stones are more common in adult men. Low fluid intake is one of the primary causes of kidney stones.

8. IBS Or Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is characterized by inflammation of the intestinal villi. Symptoms include bloating, excessive gas, soreness beneath the left ribs, and alternate spells of diarrhea and constipation. IBS patients may experience bloating, cramping, pressure, or fullness, among other types of pain. Usually, certain meals make these symptoms worse.

9. Heart Attack

A heart attack, which happens when a blockage stops blood flow via a coronary artery to the heart, may be the source of pain beneath the left rib cage. Most often, especially in men, the pain associated with this ailment feels like a weight or heaviness on the chest. The jaw, shoulder, arms, back, and even the right side of the torso, particularly the area beneath the right rib cage, may experience this discomfort.

10. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in the left upper quadrant beyond the stomach. The pancreas generates hormones like somatostatin, glucagon, and insulin and digests enzymes. Pancreatitis can also cause fever, vomiting, and nausea.

Although excessive alcohol use is typically the most prevalent cause of pancreatitis, other possible causes include gallbladder stones, cystic fibrosis, viral infections (such as measles or mumps), and the use of specific drugs.

11. Inflammation of the Spleen

The spleen is an organ in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. It removes damaged red blood cells and filters blood. The body produces and stores the immune system’s white blood cells there. This organ can become inflamed due to damage or an impending rupture, and symptoms include fever, bloating in the abdomen, loss of appetite, and pain behind the left rib cage.

12. Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an intestinal condition characterized by persistent intestinal lining inflammation. It may be caused by immune system dysfunction or hereditary causes. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include diarrhea, soreness between the ribs, sensitivity to certain foods, intestinal irritation, and bleeding.

Read More: 12 Important Signs You Have Toxic Liver

How to Treat Pain Under Rib Cage

Some of the best home remedies to treat pain under the rib cage are as follows.

1. Rest and Strain Avoidance

One of the best strategies for reducing symptoms is to rest and minimize stress. Move gently and avoid hard lifting and intense exercise. This can speed up your body’s healing process and lower the possibility of worsening the ailment causing your discomfort.

2. Cold and Hot Compresses

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to treat left-sided rib discomfort or pain behind the left rib is to use cold and hot compresses, which you may get in your own home. Inflammation may cause left rib pain; a cool compress might help decrease it. However, using a hot compress eases the tension in your stiff muscles, which relieves the pain beneath your ribcage on your left side.

3. Exercise and Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for chronic pain below the ribcage on the left side. It can help you become more flexible and strengthen the muscles surrounding your rib cage, which may reduce the frequency and intensity of pain episodes.

4. Hydration

Adequate hydration is critical for general health and can be especially helpful in treating left-sided sub-rib pain. Drinking enough water also benefits digestive health and avoids kidney stones, both of which can have excruciating side effects if ignored.

5. Stress Management

One of the most critical aspects of managing rib discomfort is efficiently controlling your stress levels. Stress can worsen numerous medical disorders, such as gastritis and IBS, which can both result in left-side pain beneath the ribcage. Stress management practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can significantly reduce pain and improve general health.

6. Prescription Drugs

Often, over-the-counter drugs won’t give you the relief you need for left-side pain beneath your ribs. In these situations, it’s crucial to speak with your family physician, who may recommend more potent painkillers or particular drugs that address the underlying ailment.

Read More: 10 Tips to Make Your Abs Stronger

When to See A Doctor?

Sometimes, the sharp, intense pain under the left rib cage can prove life-threatening. Therefore, if you have been facing the problem for a long time, it is recommended that you seek help from your doctor as soon as possible.

You need to watch out for a few symptoms. Some of the major symptoms that should prompt you to consult with your doctor immediately are listed below:

• Severe trauma or pain.
• Breathing problems.
• Signs of an infection or fever.
• Recurrent or chronic pain.

Confirming the Diagnosis via Testing

The hypothesized reason for left rib pain will determine the diagnostic tests your doctor performs. The following are some typical diagnostic procedures they may carry out:

Physical Examination: A healthcare professional’s comprehensive physical examination can provide important details regarding the pain’s location, type, and intensity.

Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging can assist in diagnosing diseases such as liver disease, gallstones, or spleen enlargement by assessing the abdominal organs, which can cause discomfort referred to the ribs.

Endoscope: If gastrointestinal problems, such as gastritis, GERD, or peptic ulcers, are suspected, an endoscope may be used to view the esophagus, stomach, and upper digestive tract for abnormalities.

Blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC) or tests such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) can reveal inflammation in the body that may connect to the pain.

Conclusion

The pain beneath the left rib cage might be anything from a minor, brief annoyance to an indication of something far more serious. The main lesson is that, although easy fixes can handle many situations, you should never disregard chronic or severe pain.

Do not wait for the pain or discomfort beneath your left rib cage to worsen if it is unexplained. Speak with a medical expert who can assist in determining the precise cause and direct you toward the best course of action.

Have you encountered similar circumstances? Please feel free to leave a comment below with your story. Your well-being is too important to ignore!

• Aug 2017
  Written by Prajakt
• Jan 2025
  Edited by Ankita