Pain Under Right Rib Cage

It is a well-known fact that the human body is made up of many different organs, each one having an important role to play in the proper functioning of our body. Our rib cage is a significant part that supports our abdomen. It is actually a vertical bony structure with 12 bones on each side. As with other parts of the body, we sometimes might suffer from rib pain. Now, this might be pain under right rib cage or pain under the left one.

Pain under right rib cage is a common condition. It is mostly, associated with some kind of injury, at some point of life. However, this is not the only reason for pain under right rib cage. Some of them are serious diseases and disorders that are characterized by rib pain, as just a small symptom. So let us proceed to know the common causes of pain under right rib cage and also get an overview of the treatment for the same.

What Causes Pain Under Right Rib Cage?

As I have mentioned earlier, rib pain can be felt on the left or the right side of the rib. Though the causes for pain on both sides of the ribs are almost the same, however, pain under right rib cage has a few additional causes. Some of the most common causes of pain under right rib cage are given below.

Inflammatory Cartilage
One of the most common causes of pain under right rib cage is the inflammation of the cartilage. The cartilage is actually located between the breastbone and the ribs. Although the pain lasts for a very short time, it causes a lot of discomfort in the person.

Fracture or Injury
Ribs are bony structures and are quite prone to fractures and injuries. A severe injury due to some accident or a fracture, which has directly affected the rib cage, can lead to pain under right rib cage. The diagnosis for such a condition is normally done with the help of X-rays and then it is determined, whether the rib cage is fractured or not.

Costochondritis
Costochondritis is characterized by inflammation of the muscles of the rib cage. Pain and inflammation is mostly seen in the area where the breastbone is connected to the rib cage. The most common causes of costochondritis are, excessive coughing which poses undue stress on the rib bones and respiratory infections due to a virus.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is another common cause of pain under right rib cage. This is mostly caused due to the tendency of eating more than what is required by the body, lack of fibrous food in the diet and lack of exercises. This might lead to bloating and gas problems, as food is not being able to break into simpler substances, and hence the gas generated gets trapped inside the intestine.

Liver Damage
Any kind of damage to the liver or infections in the liver can also cause pain under right rib cage. Sometimes, liver cancer or any type of liver diseases could also be the cause of pain. Apart from the above-mentioned causes, gallbladder diseases could also be a reason of sharp pain under right rib cage.

Treatment for Pain Under Right Rib Cage

There is no single treatment for pain under right rib cage. The treatment depends upon the underlying condition that has caused the pain. In some, 'not so serious cases', painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. However, it is advised that, one consults a doctor for a proper treatment method to get relief from the condition as soon as possible.

Any sort of pain, whether it is pain under right rib cage or rib cage pain on left side, should not be ignored. Medical intervention is necessary, otherwise the pain might aggravate and lead to unnecessary complications. Take care!