Female pain under left rib cage

People can experience pain under the ribs in the upper left abdomen for many reasons. Some possible causes include gastrointestinal issues and injuries to organs within the area.

Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes. There are several important organs in this area, including the spleen, kidney, pancreas, stomach, colon, and lung. Life-threatening causes include heart attack. Read on to find out the possible causes and symptoms of this type of pain and what you should do. If you suspect you may be having a heart attack or another medical emergency, call or your local emergency number immediately. One of the most common symptoms of a heart attack is tightness, pain, aching, pressure, or squeezing in your chest or arms.

Female pain under left rib cage

The spleen is a small organ usually about the size of your fist. But a number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee. An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. A doctor usually can't feel the spleen in an adult unless it's enlarged. Imaging and blood tests can help identify the cause of an enlarged spleen. Treatment for an enlarged spleen depends on what's causing it. Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen usually isn't needed, but sometimes it's recommended.

It typically happens when acid comes back up from the stomach into the esophagus.

Pain under the left rib cage area can be concerning, as it may indicate a problem with the organs or other structures in that area. The left rib cage houses vital organs such as the heart, spleen, left lung, and part of the stomach, all of which are necessary for the body to function. Pain on the left side under the rib cage can range from mild to severe, and it may also come with other symptoms that could indicate more clearly what is going on. You might be experiencing pain around your chest or abdominal area for several reasons. For example, the pain may be caused by costochondritis , an inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, or more serious issues like an enlarged spleen or pancreatitis. Whatever the cause, it can be a good idea to be aware of the potential causes and symptoms to seek the right course of action if necessary. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek immediate medical attention.

Take pain below the ribs quiz. Our clinically-backed AI will ask you questions and provide an answer specific to your unique health situation. Your response today was provided by ChatGPT trained on the proprietary content of this page. Please note, this tool is for information purposes only and not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice. You assume responsibility for decisions made with your individual medical situation. Thank you!

Female pain under left rib cage

Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes. There are several important organs in this area, including the spleen, kidney, pancreas, stomach, colon, and lung. Life-threatening causes include heart attack. Read on to find out the possible causes and symptoms of this type of pain and what you should do. If you suspect you may be having a heart attack or another medical emergency, call or your local emergency number immediately. One of the most common symptoms of a heart attack is tightness, pain, aching, pressure, or squeezing in your chest or arms. This may spread to your jaw, back, or neck. You may have all or just one or two of these symptoms, but if you experience any of these heart attack warning signs and think you may be having a heart attack, call or your local emergency number immediately. Learn more about symptoms and treatment for heart attack.

Pixel surplus

More on this subject. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. International Business Collaborations. It can also be a sign of a serious condition, like Some questions a doctor may ask to diagnose pain under the left rib cage may include:. Symptoms can include left-sided chest pain similar to a heart attack , a feeling of pressure under the rib cage, pain localized to one or more rib bones, and pain that increases with breathing or coughing. Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone. Related Coverage. You can treat this at home with rest exercise as tolerated and ice minutes at a time. Viral pneumonia, also called "viral walking pneumonia," is an infection of the lung tissue with influenza "flu" or other viruses. Share this article. Could it be diverticulitis developing? Pancreatitis occurs when your pancreas is inflamed.

Your left ribs protect the organs that sit below them, like your heart and your stomach.

An enlarged spleen , also called splenomegaly, can cause symptoms such as:. Learn more about symptoms and treatment for costochondritis. Related Coverage. It looks like your chest pain is atypical, however further testing might be needed. Your suggestions are always welcome. Sharing options Share Icon. Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in one or both of your lungs. Symptoms of an enlarged spleen include:. See this post in :. It can also be a sign of a disease in an abdominal organ or a fractured rib. This inflammation can happen due to infection, physical trauma or arthritis. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Occasionally, an injury to the left side of the body can cause the spleen to rupture, leading to pain in the upper left abdomen, dizziness, and an increased heart rate. Medical care is needed right away.