Pain under the right ribs: causes

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Feeling pain under your right ribs can be caused by a multitude of causes. This pain, which is usually diffuse and difficult to describe, can easily be a cause for alarm, that is why if it lasts over time it is always advisable to visit the doctor for a check-up.

This type of pain can be due to muscle or bone problems or alterations in organs such as the pancreas, appendix or kidneys. If you want to know all the possible origins of pain in the right side, keep reading the following article by FastlyHeal , in which we will talk in depth about pain under the right ribs: causes .

When to go to the doctor for pain under the right rib

To assess the severity of pain we must take into account 2 basic factors. First is the intensity of that pain, that is, a priori, the stronger it is, the more serious the cause may be. The second factor to assess is the duration of this pain: it is intermittent, it appears and disappears, it is something specific or you have been feeling it for a long time. The longer it lasts, the more likely it is that it is something systemic and not a simple muscle pain.

In general, it is advisable to allow 48 hours to pass before going to the doctor for bearable pain, in this way you can see how it evolves and if it remits. However, if the pain under the right rib is very strong, you should see a doctor immediately.

Finally, you should bear in mind that if you are doing sports or have just finished practicing it is possible that what causes the pain, even if it is very intense, is the DAT or transient abdominal pain, popularly known as flatus, a pain caused by excessive pressure in the diaphragm. Here are some tips to avoid flatus .

Pain under the ribs on the right side: what can be

Right side pain can be due to many diseases that affect internal organs. Its severity is highly variable, from the mildest to some of the potentially serious. That is why in the face of pain under the ribs, especially if it is intense or prolonged, it is necessary to go to the doctor. Here we explain the diseases that can cause pain under the right ribs :

  • Appendicitis
  • Urinary infection
  • Food poisoning
  • Diverticulitis
  • Hepatitis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney stones
  • Gallstones
  • Gastritis
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Pelvic inflammation
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Hiatal hernia

Whatever the cause that causes the pain, it is essential to go to the specialist so that timely treatment can be started, so that the problem is not aggravated.

Right side rib pain: appendicitis

In this section we will talk specifically about appendicitis , one of the most common causes of acute pain under the right ribs, a condition that if not treated quickly can be life threatening.

This pathology can be identified by acute pain , different from typical belly pain, only on the right side. The first of its symptoms is a kind of dull pain in the navel and in the pit of the stomach. At this point it can be confused with an upset stomach, however, as the hours go by, this pain increases and is located on the right side , becoming disabling. Here you will find the symptoms of appendicitis .

One of the best ways we have to identify if we are really suffering from appendicitis is to try to press hard on the area that hurts with our fingers. In case of appendicitis, the pain will become very intense and, generally, people cough or cry out. Another way to diagnose it is by walking, since when people suffer from acute appendicitis, people cannot walk upright, but rather shrink back on themselves so that the pain decreases.

Right side pain: back

If the pain is not so much in the front or right side but moves towards the back area, it may be due to a spinal problem . In these cases, a spinogram or spinogram will need to be done to make the diagnosis. It is very possible that the origin of the pain is scoliosis, although it could be due to any problem at the vertebral level.

For its treatment, sessions of osteopathy, physical therapy and improving the posture of the back will be needed. In the following article we explain the recommended exercises for scoliosis .

Pain in the right side when breathing

Pain under the right ribs or in the ribs can be due to muscle or bone reasons. In these cases the pains are usually stabbing, intensifying according to the movements that are made. Some of the causes of right rib pain are:

  • Bone fractures
  • Inflammation of the pleura
  • Thoracic injuries
  • Osteoporosis
  • Inflammation of cartilage in the ribs
  • Bone cancer

Depending on the condition as well as on what level it is, the treatment should be one or the other. However, in those cases in which the pain in the right side is due to trauma or poor movement, recovery can be done with rest and the administration of analgesics to reduce the pain. In depending on which cases it will be necessary to immobilize the area.

Pain under the right rib: treatment

As we have already been explaining throughout the article, depending on the injury or illness that causes the pain in the right side , one treatment or another will be required. Here we explain how you can solve some of the most common conditions that cause this pain:

  • If the pain is due to a muscle spasm or trauma, the best thing to do is rest, physical therapy and specific exercises.
  • If the pain in the right side is due to problems in the spine, anti-inflammatories and physical therapy are the appropriate treatment.
  • If the pain is of stomach origin, you should opt for a soft diet, a soft diet and foods that are easily digested.
  • When the origin is infectious, such as a kidney infection, the specialist will prescribe antibiotics.
  • Conditions such as appendicitis will require rapid surgical intervention.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Pain under the right ribs: causes , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .

You may also like

Leave a Comment