Lower Left Rib Pain

Ribs, a bony structure, is often referred to as a protective cover for the chest and lungs. The term ribs refers to the 24 bones that surround the chest and form the ribcage. Rib fractures are some of the common issues associated with rib cage that ultimately cause pain.

Lower left rib pain is not that uncommon as it seems. In fact, it is a common sports injury, but can also occur in people of all ages. It is found that mild to moderate lower left rib pain interferes with the day-to-day activities. So, even lifting a small bucket filled with water or a short morning walk can be a source of great discomfort. People with severe discomfort on the left region of the rib are unable to tolerate even a small degree of strain on their ribs. Deep breathing causing persistent rib pain is certainly a matter of serious concern.

Causes

Constipation: Rib pain and constipation often go hand in hand. Constipation is a condition that causes hardening of stools, due to which bowel movement becomes a painful activity. In such circumstances, to push the stools, through the colon requires more effort. Thus eliminating hard stools can put undue strain on any part of the rib cage. It is observed that people suffering from constipation have to exert a lot of pressure during bowel movement and this may cause discomfort on the left side of the ribs.

Pancreatitis: As the name suggests, this condition affects the pancreas that sits in the lower left abdominal cavity. This glandular organ (pancreas) is found at the back of the stomach that releases enzymes to promote digestion. In pancreatitis, there is abnormal enlargement of the pancreas. This condition marked by inflammation of the pancreas can be quite painful and the feeling of discomfort often lingers around lower left rib cage. Too muh alcohol consumption, smoking and gallstones trapped in the bile ducts are some of the common factors that put a person in the risk zone of pancreatitis.

GERD: Pain in the lower left region of the ribs that aggravates after meals can also be due to GERD, a condition in which the ingested food along with the digestive juices in the stomach travel back to the food pipe. Although, pain associated with GERD is experienced in the chest, many times the discomfort moves down to the back and the left ribs.

Hiatal Hernia: In this condition a small portion the stomach is seen in the chest cavity. Normally, the torso is partitioned into two parts by the diaphragm(a dome shaped internal skeletal muscle). The lungs and the heart form the first part, which the second part contains the liver, stomach and the intestine. However, hiatal hernia sufferrers have a part of the stomach coming out through the diaphragm and entering the chest cavity. This unnatural protrusion of the stomach in the chest gives a feeling of heartburn and is accompanied by belching and rib pain. Carrying heavy objects, hard coughing or vomiting are some of the common reasons behind hiatal hernia.

Gastritis: People diagnosed with gastrointestinal disorders like gastritis are often found complaining about rib pain in the lower region, especially after taking deep breath. Gastritis is a bacterial infection, in which thick mucus lining of stomach gets swollen. This stomach swelling can interfere with the ability to digest food properly. As a result, a person affected with gastritis experiences frequent bouts of vomiting. This can certainly bring achy feeling in lower left rib.

Indigestion: Indigestion and rib pain are also related. A sudden onset of pain in lower left rib area can also be a sign of indigestion. A heavy lunch followed by excessive burping is a symptom of indigestion, which can cause rib pain. Overeating can also lead to belching and too much gas in the stomach and cause left rib pain.

Injury: An injury that is a result of a blow to the left rib cage can also trigger pain in lower left rib. Sports related injuries, involving the ribs in games like rugby, wrestling, soccer and American football are common. The pain experienced may be dull or intense, depending upon the severity of the injury. An injury that damages the structure of bones located in the lower part of left rib can bring unbearable pain and requires immediate medical treatment. In case of severe injuries resulting in fractured bones of the left rib, the pain no more remains localized and can also affect the chest and the lungs.

Coughing: Coughing or sneezing too hard sends jerks that travel all the way down to ribs. Depending upon the intensity of the jerk, it can cause a crack or a minor bruise in the specific part of the rib cage. Rib fractures have been reported after frequent episodes of coughing in people suffering from pneumonia or severe cold.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Left abdominal pain under ribs can also be the consequence of diseases like IBS. IBS is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the intestine. IBS interferes with normal bowel movement and triggers abdominal pain under ribs.

After diagnosing the underlying cause of lower left rib pain, treatment will be decided accordingly. People with rib pain caused due to an injury are given painkillers like ibuprofen to ease the discomfort. Application of heating pad or ice pack can also help to reduce the pain and swelling associated with fractured ribs. On the whole, keep in mind that treating the root cause is the key to get rid of this type of rib pain.