Most people are conscious that if you feel pain on the left side of your chest, it might have something to do with your heart. However, what should you do if you experience sudden, sharp pain under your rib cage on the right side of your body? Show
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons you can experience pain under your right rib cage. Along with this, we’ll tell you about when you should seek medical treatment. Just under the right side of your rib cage lie several important organs, such as the pancreas, gallbladder, right kidney, and parts of your liver, and small and large intestines. Experts divide the abdomen into four quadrants, and the upper quarter on the right-hand side is the RUQ or right upper quadrant. Sudden, sharp pain in the RUQ is not usually a cause for concern – some individuals may suffer from gas accumulating in the large intestine where it bends under the rib cage, called a hepatic flexure. This is especially true if you suffer from bowel disorders or gastrointestinal discomfort regularly. Another reason for pain under the right rib cage is if you’ve strained or injured your intercostal muscles. These muscles line the rib cage and facilitate its movement. So, for example, if you’ve twisted or turned your body or sat at your desk for too long before getting up, you could have pulled one of these muscles. Allowing the body to rest should alleviate symptoms. When Should I Go To The Hospital?Crucially, sudden sharp pain in the RUQ can be a sign that something is wrong. Most commonly, especially if the pain is excruciating, happens after you eat a large meal or lasts a long time, you may have developed gallstones. These are formed when there is too much cholesterol in your bile, a substance the gallbladder stores to aid digestion. Liver problems can also lead to pain under the right rib cage. This can be due to hepatitis, the development of an abscess, or more rarely, a cancerous growth. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, tenderness in the area, fever, and dark urine. The kidney is also susceptible to infection, cancer, or the development of kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney issues may involve fever, fatigue, and nausea. But if your urine is bloody or smells bad, it is a serious sign, as is painful or frequent urination. If your symptoms coincide with any of the above, you should see a doctor as soon as you can. ConclusionIf you’re facing sudden, sharp pain under the right rib cage, it’s wise to visit a qualified health professional. They can diagnose your issues and tell you whether they signal a condition that requires treatment. At the Northwest Cardiovascular Clinic in Houston, TX, we listen to all of our patients and keep you confident and comfortable through our high-quality care practices. We’re equipped to perform a comprehensive suite of tests to diagnose any potential heart problems. These include electrocardiography, heart rhythm monitoring, and blood tests. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us at (281) 807-5253. Pain in the lower right section of your back can be caused by problems with your spine, the soft tissues of your back and underlying conditions. Because pain can spread from your organs to your back, you might have a problem with your appendix but feel the pain in your back. Lower right back pain should be reported to a healthcare provider quickly.
OverviewWhat is lower right back pain? What does it feel like?Lower right back pain can feel mild like a dull ache, moderate like a heavy weight or severe with a piercing stab. The pain can come and go or last a long time. Pain can radiate, which means it can spread from one place in your body to another. For example, the nerves that are part of your kidneys are connected to the nerves attached to the ligaments and tissues in your back. So, if your kidneys hurt, you might also feel pain in your back, including the lower right section of your back. How common is lower right back pain?Around 80% of people in the U.S. experience back pain at some point in their life. It’s unclear how many experience pain in the lower right section, specifically. Is lower right back pain normal in early pregnancy?Yes. Lower back pain — on the left or the right side — is very common in those who are pregnant. Symptoms and CausesWhat causes lower right back pain? What is lower right back pain a symptom of?Causes of lower right back pain can be divided into two categories: mechanical problems and underlying conditions. Mechanical problems have to do with the bones and tissues in your back — your ligaments, spine, tendons and muscles. Underlying conditions are disorders of your organs. Pain from conditions that affect your organs can radiate to your back. Mechanical problems: Soft tissues:
Spine:
Underlying conditions:
People assigned female at birth:
People assigned male at birth:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is lower right back pain diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will interview you. They’ll want to know about your symptoms, how severe they are, how long you’ve had them and more. Be sure to not just tell them about your back pain, but also about any other symptoms you have. For example, if you also have pain while urinating, fatigue, blood in your stool, etc., let your provider know. Which healthcare providers evaluate and diagnose lower right back pain?Your primary healthcare provider can help first. They’ll send you to a specialist if needed. Management and TreatmentHow long will I have lower right back pain?How long you’ll have lower right back pain depends on the cause. Pain from strains can last a few days. Pain from kidney stones will last until the stones are passed or removed. Pain from degeneration may last a lifetime, depending. How is lower right back pain treated?How your lower right back pain is treated depends on the cause. A few examples of treatments include: Stretching and/or massage, for:
Surgery, for:
Antibiotics, for:
Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®), for.
Physical therapy and strengthening exercises:
What kind of healthcare provider treats lower right back pain?Your primary healthcare provider may be able to help you with most causes of lower right back pain. But, if needed, they can refer you to a specialist, physical therapist or surgeon. How soon after treatment will I feel better?If your pain is caused by a urinary tract infection, your pain may be gone after the seven to 10-day course of antibiotics. If it’s caused by endometriosis, the pain might be with you longer as that’s a lifelong issue. When you talk to your healthcare provider about the cause of your pain, find out what the timeline is. PreventionCan lower right back pain be prevented?Some causes of back pain, including injuries like sprains and strains, may be prevented. You can do so by stretching before sports and crouching instead of leaning over to lift something. Outlook / PrognosisCan lower right back pain go away on its own?Yes, some causes of back pain can go away on their own. Treatment can get rid of the pain faster. When can I return to my normal activities?Talk to your healthcare provider about a timeline regarding when you can get back to your normal activities. Can lower right back pain return after it’s been treated?Yes. Living WithCan I live a normal life with lower right back pain?Yes but, without treatment, the pain could get worse. When should I contact my healthcare provider?See your healthcare provider soon if your lower right back pain is severe, constant or getting worse. You should see a provider quicker if you have lower right back pain plus:
When should I go to the emergency department?Lower right back pain is sometimes a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency department if:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Keep a careful eye on your symptoms. You may want to keep a record of when you experience lower right back pain, how severe it is and if there are other symptoms along with it. This can help your healthcare provider diagnose and treat you. Remember: The pain in the lower right part of your back can sometimes be as minor as a sprain that can be fixed with time and ice packs, but it can be as major as a spinal tumor. Report your symptoms to your healthcare provider so that they can give you the right diagnosis, and then the right treatment. If you don’t get treatment for pain caused by, for example, a kidney or liver problem, there could be permanent damage done to those organs. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/26/2022. References
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What causes pain under right rib cage in back?Pain below your ribs can be caused by your GI tract, like GERD, indigestion, gallbladder disease, or constipation, or problems with your lungs, like pneumonia. You may also have nausea, bloating, chest pain, coughing, or pain that's worse when you breathe in. Chandra Manuelpillai, MD.
When should I worry about right side back pain?Lower right back pain is sometimes a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency department if: Your pain is so severe that you can't go about your daily activities. You have pain and incontinence, nausea, fever or vomiting.
When should I be concerned about pain under my right rib?Any pain you feel under your right rib cage isn't usually anything to worry about, but if the pain is severe or persists, you should see a doctor as it could be caused by an underlying condition.
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Throbbing pain in right side of back under ribs
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