Pain Under Right Rib Cage

After writing about how to get rid of acid reflux?, how to get rid of heartburn?, and pain under left rib cage, Here is another article on pain under right rib cage. The rib cage is an important part of the human body, which encases the cardiovascular system. Have you ever ignored the sharp pain you felt below the chest or above the naval? This ignorance can lead you in serious trouble. Pain under right rib cage could be because of a simple problem like minor injuries or it might be indicating some serious health issue, which needs attention and medical care. The intensity of the pain could be from mild to extreme. Now before you take any decision you should know the cause and nature of your pain. In this article, you will come across some causes of pain under right rib cage. Before coming to causes, read these symptoms to see whether you are having the same symptoms.

Symptoms of Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Pain will move towards the right shoulder
  • Soreness

pain under right rib cage

Causes of Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

1.) Liver Damage:

This glandular organ is located under the diaphragm. When there is a problem in the liver the pain is felt under the right rib cage. The liver will enlarge and will cause swelling. So if you find swelling and pain under the right rib cage it could possibly be because of the liver damage. Sometimes the blocked vessels also cause pain.

Types of Liver Problems:

  • Biliary atresia
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Gallstones
  • Gilbert’s syndrome
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Liver cancer
  • Cystic disease of the liver
  • Cirrhosis

2.) Kidney Problems Can Lead to Pain Below Right Rib Cage:

In a human body, kidney is placed behind the liver and more on the right side. Kidney stones are build up from the debris and found in urine. While small stones can easily pass through urine the larger ones cause pain under right rib cage.

Common Kidney Problems:

  • Renal hemorrhage: This is a condition which causes bleeding in the kidney due to some severe trauma in the abdomen.
  • Pyelonephritis: This is a condition which occurs due to bacteria and infection in the urinary tract.
  • Hydronephrosis: This condition is caused when the urine accumulates in the kidney and cause swelling. This may be because of the obstruction in the urinary tract.

3.) Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

The pain under right rib cage occurs when there is inflammation in the digestive tract after eating certain foods or there is an obstruction in the gut.

Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

4.) Gallstones Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

On your right side of the abdomen, there is a small organ named gallbladder. It holds a digestive fluid and releases it in your small intestine. When this fluid gets hardened it forms gallstones in your gallbladder which causes pain under right rib cage.

Symptoms of Gallstones:

  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Pain in the right shoulder
  • Intensifying pain in the center of the abdomen
  • Back pain

5.) Injuries Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

Broken ribs or an accident could be a cause of pain under right rib cage. The seriousness of the injury can be detected after an X-ray. The good point is that ribs heal on their own, but it depends on the severity of the injury. It is suggested that you should take medical care.

6.) Appendicitis Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

Appendicitis is a small part of the intestine. When the appendicitis is affected, it causes a severe pain under right rib cage. In this situation call for a doctor’s help.

7.) Acid Reflux Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

Acid reflux happens when the stomach acid flows back into the food pipe. This causes pain under right rib cage. You can also feel a sharp pain in the throat.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux:

  • Heartburn.
  • Pain in the throat
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain

8.) Costochondritis can Cause Pain Under Below Rib Cage:

Costochondritis happens when there is inflammation in the muscles of the rib cage. It also causes chest pain which feels like a heart attack. The stress and viral infections on the rib cage due to coughing can cause pain under right rib cage.

Symptoms of Costochondritis:

  • More than one rib is affected.
  • It occurs through the left side of the breastbone.
  • Excessive coughing makes it worse.

9.) Pancreatitis Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

The inflammation and infection of the pancreas can cause pain under right rib cage.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis:

  • Fever
  • Dehydration
  • Nausea
  • Increased heartbeat
  • Yellowish skin

10.) At the Time of Pregnancy:

The hormonal changes can cause pain under right rib cage. When the size of the uterus and breast increases, it leads to pain. This is very normal, but if it pains too much then you should consult your doctor.

Tips:

  • Don’t eat foods that cause inflammation, especially sugar and grains.
  • Sit straight with the support of your back.
  • Wear clothes that are comfortable. Don’t wear clothes that are too tight.
  • When you are lying down you can support yourself with pillows or cushions.
  • Don’t sit for too long.
  • If you experience pain under right rib cage use a heat pack or a cold pack.

11.) Fecal Impaction Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

This is a condition in which the colon will store all the waste of the body leading to constipation. If this happens you will have trouble in passing stools and hence it will cause pain under right rib cage.

Symptoms of Fecal Impaction:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Small stools
  • Difficulty in passing stools
  • Rectal bleeding

12.) Liver Cancer Can Cause Pain Below Right Rib Cage:

Liver cancer might be a reason for the pain under right rib cage. When the abnormal cells in the liver multiply and destroy the healthy cells then liver cancer is caused. It can also spread to other body parts. Drinking too much of alcohol can cause liver cancer.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer:

  • Fever
  • Brown urine
  • Weight loss
  • Jaundice
  • Pain under right rib cage

13.) Side Stitches Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

They do not appear to all runners but is more common in runners who are not in shape and people who don’t have a habit of running but run sometimes. Side stitches give you a stabbing pain under right rib cage.

Causes of Side Stitches:

  • Lack of strength in muscles
  • Dehydration
  • Overhydration
  • Not in shape
  • Overeating
  • Medical disorder

14.) Strain on the Intercostal Muscles Cause Pain Below Right Rib Cage:

A group of muscles that connect to the rib are called intercostal muscles. When we breathe these muscles expand and contract. Now when these muscles get infected then pain under right rib cage is caused.

Causes of Intercostal Muscle Strain:

Over Stretching: This is common if you are playing tennis, golf or badminton because in these activities you have to exert force with the chest.

Swinging Your Arm: It stretches the ribs and causes muscles to tear. This leads to pain under right rib cage.

Direct Blow to the Chest: This can happen while playing football or when you indulge in a fight. An accident can also cause strain to the rib muscles.

Upper Body Twisting: This can strain intercostal muscles causing pain  under right rib cage. Wrestling or certain yoga postures can twist your upper body.

Symptoms of Intercostal Muscle Strain:

  • Sharp pain in the rib muscles
  • Tearing pain during movement
  • Swelling in the ribs
  • Muscles get tight
  • Shortness of breath

15.) Fatty Liver Disease:

In this condition, the liver gets enlarged causing pain under right rib cage.

Causes of Fatty Liver Disease:

Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease:

  • Liver enlargement
  • Pain under right rib cage
  • Swelling in abdomen
  • Red palm

16.) Too Much Gas Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

When you do overeating it becomes harder for the body to digest the food. Due to indigestion of food, the system produces too much or stomach acids and gas. These acids and gas gets trapped in different parts of the body. This gas may also cause pain under the right rib cage.

17.) Crohn’s Disease Can Cause Pain Below the Right Rib Cage:

Another name for this disease is inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease causes pain below the right rib cage. The pain is actually caused by the inflammation of the digestive system. The tissues in the system feel pain due to which you experience pain below the right rib cage.

18.) Liver Cysts Can Cause Pain Under Right Rib Cage:

You will be surprised to know that cysts can be seen in the liver also. No matter how good care you take of your body, cysts can happen to anyone. It’s better you go for a medical checkup so treat the problem.