Have you ever experienced pain on the right side under the ribs towards the back? If yes, then you should know the causes behind this pain and treatment options to get permanent relief.
Heartburn and rib injuries are the most common cause of pain on the right side under the ribs towards the back. However, conditions associated with the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and skin can cause pain under the right rib cage.
Usually, the pain is caused by an issue in a vital organ like the kidney, lungs, spleen, stomach, pancreas, and colon. If left untreated, the situation can worsen.
What causes the pain on the right side under the ribs?
The pain under the ribs might feel dull or sharp. The pain may go away quickly or continue. Depending on the cause of the pain, you may feel uneasiness on only one side of your body, usually the right side.
Conditions that cause pain under the ribs generally cause other symptoms as well.
These signs and symptoms mainly include fever, chest pain, nausea, coughing, vomiting, bloating, back pain, or pain that gets worse while inhaling.
Read Also: How To Get Relief When You Have Fractured Ribs?
8 causes for pain on the right side under the ribs towards the back
Below is the list of those causes that lead to pain on the right side under the ribs towards the back.
1. GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a chronic disease in which the acid goes back to the esophagus. In simpler terms, the contents of the stomach flow back to the esophagus.
Everyone experiences some degree of reflux, but it commonly doesn’t cause annoying symptoms.
According to the National Library of Medicine, there is a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the esophagus and stomach that prevents food and stomach acid from refluxing. When the LES is damaged or weakened, acid can move more easily into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain under the ribs, and difficulty swallowing.
Treatment: Treatment may include lifestyle alterations, over-the-counter drugs for minor symptoms, or prescription drugs for more severe symptoms.
How to modify your lifestyle? A healthy lifestyle is necessary for leading a healthy life. It primarily includes modifying your eating habits, such as avoiding fatty or spicy foods and the triggers that make your reflux symptoms worse. Weight loss and cessation of smoking are also significant lifestyle modifications that can help improve GERD.
Prescription medications including histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) can be used to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach and lower the occurrence of symptoms.
2. Gallbladder disease
The gallbladder is present under the right rib and stores bile which is necessary for digestion. Certain conditions affect the gallbladder and may cause pain under the right rib.
Gallstones are a primary cause of gallbladder pain. These stones can be as small or large depending on the health of the gallbladder. One or several gallstones may develop at the same time.
Usually, gallstones cause no symptoms. Sometimes, when a gallstone blocks the gallbladder from draining bile, it causes pain on the right side under the rib towards the back.
You may also experience nausea or vomiting. It often gets worse after eating.
Treatment for gallstones depends on the severity and frequency of symptoms.
If the pain is mild and only occurs intermittently, it can be treated simply by taking pain relievers and trying to avoid fatty foods. However, for more severe pain, you need to consult a general surgeon.
Also Read: 7 Home Remedies For Gall Bladder Issues!
3. Splenic or Hepatic Flexure Syndrome
Splenic or hepatic flexure syndrome occurs when gas builds up or becomes trapped in the colon. The trapped air pushes against the inner lining of the stomach and digestive tract due to gas buildup. As a result, it can put pressure on surrounding organs, causing pain that can be moderate to severe and a feeling of uneasiness.
Although spleen and liver flexion syndrome are not dangerous, it can be painful sometimes.
The primary symptoms of splenic or hepatic flexure syndrome include chest pressure, pain under the ribs, or cramps in the right or left side of the ribs as well.
Treatment: This condition can be treated by taking over-the-counter gas relief medications.
Tip: The best way to prevent this condition is to stop eating gas-producing foods such as dairy products and broccoli.
4. Indigestion
It is often caused by poor eating habits. It can happen if you eat too much or too quickly, eat oily or spicy foods, or drink too much caffeine, alcohol, or fizzy drinks. The most prominent symptoms of indigestion include heartburn and pain below the ribs and abdomen.
Treatment: You may need to eat smaller, lighter meals and eat more gently.
If you think a drug is causing indigestion, talk to your doctor about taking alternative medications that are better for your stomach.
The other possible causes of pain on the right side under the ribs consist of:
- Pneumonia
- Kidney Stones
- Appendicitis
- Side stitch
- Gastritis
- Ulcer
- Constipation
Also Read: 5 Unusual Triggers Of Heartburn
5. Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is a chronic form of indigestion. Almost one-third of cases of Dyspepsia is caused by a stomach ulcer. However, for the majority, the exact cause is still unknown.
Whether the cause is known or not, it occurs during or after eating. Some of the symptoms of Dyspepsia that come and go in the upper abdomen (epigastrium), either on the right or left side are as follows:
- Burning
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Sharp pain after or while eating
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling full
- Acid reflux
Treatment: To treat Dyspepsia, you can make lifestyle changes, reduce using fatty foods from the diet, reduce portion sizes, etc. Moreover, some antacids or over-the-counter medications for indigestion, reduce anxiety or stress.
Also Read: How to Cure Gastric Problems Permanently – Instant Remedies
6. Rib Cage Injury
For young people or healthy people, pain under the right rib cage on the back can be due to any accident, or fall, or can be an impact of physical activities, including contact sports, etc. A rib or sternum breakage or fracture can take a month or longer time to heal. On the other hand, bruised ribs can heal in approximately 2-4 weeks.
Commonly, the back pain under the right rib cage is due to muscle strains.
Treatment: The treatment of rib injury depends on the severity and type.
For muscle strains, doctors recommend using over-the-counter pain medicines, including Tylenol or Ibuprofen along with an ice pack.
Moreover, if you have any rib breaks or fractures they can impact the nearby organs; therefore, you should immediately seek medical assistance if you have trouble breathing or severe pain.
تھکاوٹ دور کرنے کے لیے 9 قدرتی اجزاء جو آپ نہیں جانتے (Fatigue)
7. Biliary Colic
The body processes and digests fatty foods by producing a liquid known as bile from the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder to the small intestine through the bile duct (a tube). If the bile duct gets blocked (by gallstone), it results in abdominal pain under the right rib cage. This is known as Biliary colic.
Some other signs and symptoms of bile duct obstruction are as follows:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Fever
- Unintentional weight loss
- Vomiting
- Anemia
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Treatment: Sometimes the pain of biliary colic will ease on its own when the obstruction passes. However, if the blockage is not clear on its own, serious complications can arise and cause a ruptured gallbladder. In this case, the doctors recommend surgery.
8. Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lung lining which is often caused by a viral infection (influenza). It can also be due to any bacterial infection (pneumonia). This can result in chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply.
Treatment: If the condition is due to any virus, then it can resolve on its own and you don’t have to visit a doctor. However, in the case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are required to treat the condition.
9. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition in which the heart lining (pericardium) gets inflamed. It is one of the reasons for pain on the right side under the rib cage. Some of the causes of pericarditis are viral infections, autoimmune conditions, medications, etc.
This condition can last 2-6 weeks. Apart from a sharp chest pain felt behind the breastbone, below the collarbone, left shoulder, or neck. Some other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeats)
- Pain when swallowing
You can also watch this video by Ms. Shiza Khan in which he talks about Sudden Back Pain Relief In 5 MINUTES ( Kamar Dard Ka Ilaj and How To Fix Back Pain In 5 Minutes).
Other Causes of Pain on the Right Side Under the Ribs Toward the Back
Some of the other causes of pain on the right side under the ribs on the back are as follows:
- Kidney Problems (Kidney stones, infection, cancer, injury, urinary tract infection, polycystic kidney disease)
- Injuries (Rib bruising, muscle injury, muscle strain, cartilage inflammation)
- Respiratory Problems/Lung Conditions (Pleurisy, Lung cancer)
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Biliary duct obstruction
- Gallbladder swelling (cholecystitis)
- Ulcers
Should I Be Worried About Back Pain on the Right Side Under the Ribs?
If you are continuously having back pain on the right side under the ribs, contact the best general physician in Pakistan for medical assistance.
This pain can be due to a serious medical condition that requires medical attention.
If you have severe pain along with other symptoms, including fever, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, jaundice, chest pain, etc, then it can be something serious. You should visit a medical professional as early as possible.
How Causes of Pain on the Right Side Under the Ribs Towards the Back Diagnosed?
There are many causes of back pain on the right side under the rib on the back; therefore, the diagnosis may need some detective work. The doctor will first review the symptoms, perform a physical examination, or have your medical history.
After that, depending on the suspected cause of the pain, the doctor can refer your case to a specialist. Like if you have any musculoskeletal problems, then you may have to go to an orthopedist. The same goes for other issues and their respective specialties.
Next, the specialty doctor may prescribe some tests depending on the symptoms:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT scan
- Ultrasound
- Pleural fluid sampling
- An endoscopic examination
- Bronchoscopy
- Sputum sample
Treatment at Home
- Avoid certain foods that can cause gas or irritate your stomach, such as spicy and fatty foods.
- You can use over-the-counter antacids if the pain is from indigestion.
Concluding Thoughts
Pain on the right side under the ribs towards the back can be caused by different causes mentioned above. You should see your doctor if the pain does not go away with medications, or if your symptoms last for more than two weeks.
FAQs
1. When should I be concerned about pain under my right rib?
Pain under your right rib is usually nothing to worry about, but if the pain is severe or persistent, it may be due to an underlying medical condition and you should see your doctor.
2. Can liver problems cause rib pain?
Liver disease, like cirrhosis, can cause pain that is usually felt in the upper right abdomen or just below the right lower rib. The pain may be throbbing or stabbing and may come and go.
3. Can fatty liver cause pain under the ribs?
Liver pain is felt in the upper abdomen, just below the ribs. It is usually a dull, vague pain, but can sometimes be very severe and cause back pain.