Left Abdominal Pain Under Ribs

Pain in any region of the stomach can be really troublesome for any individual. Due to different reasons, all of us suffer from stomach pain on many occasions in our lives. The left abdomen, as the name suggests, is a region situated at the left side of the stomach, under the ribs and above the pelvis. Rib pain is a result of certain ailments and/or injuries, and the degree of pain differs according to the intensity of the problem. However, whether mild or severe, left abdominal pain under the ribs needs to treated promptly with proper medical consultation. Some of the causes and remedial measures for left abdominal pain under ribs are discussed below.

Main Causes of Left Abdominal Pain Under the Rib Cage

Left abdominal pain under the ribs is observed to be a symptom of many diseases and disorders. The following is a discussion on some of those causes.

Injury to the Rib Cage
For some people, lower and upper left abdominal pain under the ribs is a frequently occurring problem. The main reason behind this is a severe injury or a fracture to the rib cage. Injury weakens the rib region and therefore the person might encounter short sessions of pain.

Spleen Problems
Left abdominal pain under the ribs is many times linked to spleen problems. The spleen is described as a soft and spongy organ located at the upper left side of the abdomen, below the rib cage and behind the stomach region. The main function of the spleen is to destroy the old red blood cells, and it is an important part of the lymphatic system of the body. Certain diseases result in the enlargement of the spleen, and then pain in the left abdomen is one of the symptoms of such an enlargement.

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by muscular pain due to damage to the soft muscular tissues. There are several muscular groups that run between the ribs, which are called intercostal muscles. Damage to these muscle groups due to fibromyalgia can result in rib pain.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease and increases the chances of fractures in a person. It is characterized by thinning of the bony structures in the body, reduced bone mineral density, disruptions in the bone microarchitecture, etc. The ribs being bony structures, can get affected due to osteoporosis, and therefore osteoporosis is said to be a potential cause of left abdominal pain under the ribs.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is also found to be one of the common causes of left abdominal pain under the ribs. GERD is characterized by the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux, which is caused either due to the spontaneous opening of the lower esophageal sphincter for long/short periods, or improper closing of the same. This further results in the rise of the stomach contents up to the esophagus. The symptoms of such a reflux are burning sensation in the chest region, what we refer to as heartburn, pain in the lower abdominal region, and acid indigestion.

Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcer is a type of ulcer occurring in the mucosal lining of the stomach, and is generally caused due to pepsin and hydrochloric acid present in the stomach juices. Stomach ulcer, being an acid related disorder, shows symptoms such as heartburn. Heartburn is characterized by a burning sensation in the stomach, which continues for about 30 minutes to 2 hours. Pain in the lower left and right abdomen after eating is a common symptom when such a problem occurs.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Cramps and bloating causes IBS. An individual suffering from this problem either experiences constipation or diarrhea, and has an issue with bowel movements. All this has an effect on the abdomen, resulting in pain under the rib cage.

Splenic Flexure Syndrome
In simple terms, this is an issue of gas in the colon. Out of all the problems mentioned here, this one is the most temporary one, and can even go away within minutes. The gas trapped in the colon triggers an irritating pain the left abdomen and lower chest areas.

Costochondritis
There are cartilages that bind the ribs with the bones in the breast. This problem is an infection to these cartilages, whose cause may be either an injury or a viral attack. It results in pain in the lower chest and upper abdominal region.

Treatment Options

As there are many reasons for left abdominal pain under the ribs, obviously the treatment largely depends upon the underlying cause. For some people, a change in diet can be the solution, while for others, pain killers and other stomach ache antibiotics prove to be effective. However, do not go in for any such antibiotics without your doctor's advice. Let the doctor diagnose the actual cause and problem, identify the reason, and prescribe appropriate medications.

The above were the main causes and also the treatment for left abdominal pain under the ribs. Abdominal pain is generally mild in the beginning. If you experience such a pain in the lower abdominal region, and it does not go away soon enough, see to it that you get it diagnosed promptly, and prevent it from getting aggravated and leading to other health issues.