Pain Under Left Rib Cage

The rib cage is amongst the most delicate parts of the human body, which is prone to injury and pain. But what is a rib cage? In scientific terms, the rib cage is also known as the thoracic cage. It is actually a cartilage structure that supports the shoulder girdle and lies at a position surrounding the chest cavity. 24 bony structures called ribs, costal cartilages, 12 thoracic vertebrae and the sternum, are all the parts that comprise the rib cage. Needless to say, the rib cage is an important part of our body. This is because it is a vital part of the respiratory system and also surrounds the thoracic cavity which consists of the lungs.

Often, some people experience pain under the left rib cage, and wonder what could be the causes behind it? Well, the most common causes are injury or fracture. These two could lead to pain at any point of time and can affect your lifestyle up to a large extent. But although common, these are not the only reasons for sharp pain under left rib cage. There are many more reasons which are equally serious. In fact, more serious than these two, as this pain can be a result of some disease or disorder existing in the body. So let us have a look at what are the causes for pain under rib cage on the left side?

Pain Under Left Rib Cage: Causes

Apart from injury, some of the most commonly seen causes of pain under left side rib cage are given below.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome can be figured out as a common cause of pain under the left rib cage. This is in turn a result of hap-hazard eating or overeating, and lack of fiber-rich foods and sufficient water in the diet. All these factors contribute to gastric and digestion related problems, which further result in irritable bowel syndrome. In this disorder, the digestive organs are affected. They are not able to secrete digestive enzymes that help in the breaking down of food into simple substances. This in turn results in the formation of gas that gets trapped inside the left side of the intestine. Besides pain under the left rib cage, bloating and gas problems are also the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Inflammation of the Cartilage
The breastbone and rib present in our body have a cartilage in between them. Inflammation in this cartilage can result in pain under the left rib cage. Though the pain episode is quite short, the intensity is high and can create a lot of discomfort for the person experiencing it.

Costochondritis
Costochondritis is a result of excessive coughing or respiratory infections caused due to virus. These conditions cause inflammation in the rib cage muscles, thereby leading to costochondritis. A person suffering from costochondritis experiences pain mostly in parts which link the ribs to the breastbone.

Acid Reflux/Heartburn
The intake of a lot of acidic foodstuff generally results in heartburn. One usually experiences sharp pain and stomach bloating too. Acid reflux is also commonly experienced. All this leads to the same thing, pain in the area under the left rib cage.

Constipation
When one gets constipated, it is actually the stools that have become hardened. As a result, more pressure and effort needs to be put in to pass stools. In all this. it simply leads to irritating pain in the stomach, more so under the rib cage.

Gastritis
When a person suffers from gastritis, there is pain under the left rib cage. As a result of a bacterial infection, the wall lining of the stomach swells up. The digestive system does not work efficiently, and one can also experience vomiting. All in all, it results in pain under the ribs and the feeling of vomiting frequently.

Pain Under Left Rib Cage: Treatment

It is recommended to treat this condition promptly, as the pain might increase if the underlying condition tends to aggravate. In most of the mild cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications usually prove useful. These intend to reduce the pain and inflammation in the rib cage. However, for serious cases, doctors might diagnose the condition and then prescribe medications or treatment options, depending upon the actual cause behind it. In any case, it is better to consult a doctor and get the condition treated properly.

Pain under the left rib cage may or may not be a serious condition, depending upon the pain. Pain can be treated easily, if a minor injury is the reason behind it. However, if the pain is severe, you should not wait for it to become more serious. You should immediately rush to the doctor and find out the actual cause in your case, and how to treat this condition.