Why does the left side of my stomach hurt under my ribs?

Gastritis. Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and it can cause sharp pain under the left rib cage. Other symptoms associated with gastritis include a burning sensation in the esophagus, nausea, slow digestion or a feeling of fullness, and frequent burping.

What organ is under my left rib cage?

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.

Why is my left side belly hurting?

While left side pain is often a sign of gas, it can also be a sign of a more serious condition such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, or stomach ulcers that would require urgent medical attention.

When should I worry about pain under my left rib cage?

If you think your spleen could be damaged due to injury, you may have pain around the left ribs or just below, and you may feel faint or have a faster heart rate. If you experience these symptoms, you should go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

Can gallbladder cause left side pain under ribs?

Pain frequently increases when drawing a breath. Pain may also radiate to the back or occur under the shoulder blades, behind the breastbone, or on the left side. About a third of patients have fever and chills. Nausea and vomiting may occur.

Left Side Abdominal Pain Under Ribs – Causes

Should I go to the ER for upper left abdominal pain?

If the abdominal pain is severe and unrelenting, your stomach is tender to the touch, or if the pain extends to your back, you should immediately visit the closest emergency department.

How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?

What causes left abdominal pain in females?

Crampy pain may be due to gas, indigestion, inflammation or infection, or it may result from menstrual cramps, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Severe pain that comes in waves may be caused by kidney stones. Trauma to the body wall, hernias, and shingles can also cause left lower quadrant pain.

Why does the left side of my stomach hurt female?

In many cases, persistent pain specific to the lower left side of the abdomen is caused by diverticulitis. Diverticula are small pouches created from pressure on weak spots in the colon. Diverticula are common, and even more so after age 50 . When a pouch tears, swelling and infection can cause diverticulitis.

What does pain from the spleen feel like?

A painful spleen

Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.

What pain is on the left side?

Moderate pain can be from common causes like gas, constipation, menstruation pains etc. Similarly, severe pain can be from infections, kidney stones or any underlying diseases which needs urgent medical care. In rare events, pain on the left side of the abdomen can also be a sign of a heart attack.

What organ is on left side of stomach?

The upper left side of your abdomen is home to several of your major internal organs. Your spleen and a large portion of your stomach reside in the upper left side of your abdomen, as well as portions of your pancreas, left kidney, your large colon, and your liver.

Can your appendix be on the left side?

Appendicitis causing pain in the left lower quadrant is extremely rare and can occur with congenital abnormalities that include true left-sided appendix or as an atypical presentation of right-sided, but long appendix, which projects into the left lower quadrant[2].

How do you relieve trapped gas?

When should I go to the doctor for abdominal pain?

If your pain is sudden and severe, or if it occurs with any of the following, you should seek immediate medical attention: Persistent vomiting and nausea. Constipation (especially with vomiting) Vomiting blood.

What does pancreatic pain feel like?

Acute pancreatitis signs and symptoms include: Upper abdominal pain. Abdominal pain that radiates to your back. Tenderness when touching the abdomen.

How long is too long for stomach pain?

Call your doctor if you have abdominal pain that lasts 1 week or longer, if your pain doesn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, if bloating lasts more than 2 days, or if you have diarrhea for more than 5 days.

What does stomach ulcer pain feel like?

Ulcer pain feels like burning or gnawing inside your stomach, which is between your breastbone and your belly button. It may improve temporarily when you eat or drink or when you take an antacid, medication to reduce stomach acid.

How do you know if something is wrong with your stomach?

Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain are the most common signs of a stomach virus. Although it's called the stomach flu, this virus has nothing to do with the flu. These symptoms are caused by other viruses, most commonly norovirus. 7 Fever, headache, and body aches are other possible symptoms.

What is appendix pain like?

Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go. Within hours, the pain travels to your lower right-hand side, where the appendix is usually located, and becomes constant and severe. Pressing on this area, coughing or walking may make the pain worse.

Can you poop with appendicitis?

Sometimes stool can get stuck in the appendix, which is shaped like a tube with one closed end. Like a balloon that's been tied off, there's no way for what's trapped inside to escape. The pressure builds as the appendix continues producing its normal secretions.

Do I have appendicitis or gas?

Pain from gas can feel like knots in your stomach. You may even have the sensation that gas is moving through your intestines. Unlike appendicitis, which tends to cause pain localized on the lower right side of the abdomen, gas pain can be felt anywhere in your abdomen. You may even feel the pain up in your chest.

What feels like appendicitis but on left side?

In most cases, if the cause of the pain is acute appendicitis, the pain will begin around the belly button and then be felt in the right region of the stomach. If the pain is also felt on the left, the peritoneum may also be infected. This can cause something called rebound tenderness (see FAQs).

What organs are on your left side?

On the left side, this includes your heart, left lung, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and left kidney. When any of these organs are infected, inflamed, or injured, pain can radiate under and around your left rib cage.

How do you check your spleen at home?

Palpation for splenic enlargement should begin with the patient supine and with knees flexed. Using the right hand, the examiner should begin well below the left costal margin and feel gently but firmly for the splenic edge by pushing down, then cephalad, then releasing (Figure 150.1).