Left Side Back Pain Under Ribs

Pain under the ribs can be very uncomfortable and when it's chronic it may be an indicator of a serious medical problem. Sometimes the pain could be caused because of gas, and taking over the counter pills can help you. Diagnosing the exact problem, at times, is difficult and most doctors will apply a wait and watch policy. It is important that you keep your follow-up appointments under such circumstances. If you have had a fall, or hurt your rib cage recently, a minor fracture could also be the reason behind your left side pain under ribs and back.

The most common reaction people have to lower left back pain is taking painkillers, self medication should be avoided if possible, because it may inadvertently complicate the problems. Visiting your family physician and scheduling an x-ray is a good idea, if the pain persists.

Causes of Pain Under Ribs

To correctly diagnose the reason behind pain under your ribs, you have to consider the accompanying symptoms. Your doctor may also get your blood work done to determine the exact cause if the pain is persistent. In some cases a CT scan will also be needed to ascertain the cause of left back pain under ribs. Left rib pain and gas are also closely associated and changes in dietary habits can be a simple solutions for such a problem. Left side pain under ribs in children is mostly connected to play time related injuries and visiting a doctor is the best bet.

Gastrointestinal Problems
An inflammation in the intestines can be one of the reasons for your pain, and at times the pain can be unbearable. If you have gastrointestinal problems then left side pain under ribs and nausea are some of the common symptoms. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a major reason behind back pain across all age groups, heart burn and vomiting are some of the accompanying symptoms of left side pain under ribs after eating.

Kidney Problems
The kidneys act as the waste management components of the body, they are responsible for urine creation and getting rid of toxins from the body. Kidney stones can hamper this function and may block the flow of urine leading to pressure build up and at times you will experience left rib pain when coughing. An injury to the kidneys can cause bleeding inside the kidneys and this can also lead to lower left side back pain.

Pregnancy Problems
It is quite common for pregnant women to have gas related problems and this is one of the major reasons behind the left rib pain under breast. Ectopic pregnancy can also lead to left side pain under ribs during pregnancy and a pelvic ultrasound is helpful in diagnosing the problem. One of the most common complaint of pregnant women is lower back pain and it is due to the growing uterus which strains the abdominal muscles.

Other Causes
Sports and weight training related injuries also account for back pain and are mostly treated with painkillers and proper rest. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) can also cause back pain and it is advisable to consult your doctor, he might prescribe antibiotics for you. Left rib pain when breathing is symptomatic of musculoskeletal injuries and the doctor might ask you to take anti-inflammatory drugs. An inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis can also cause lower back pain. Wrong posture while sitting or sleeping can also lead to back pain.

There are many reasons behind pain under ribs, you need to carefully watch the accompanying symptoms to correctly diagnose the problem. For chronic back pain it is advisable to get an expert medical opinion rather than trying over the counter pills.