Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Do I Get Treated For Slight Sharp Pain On The Right Side Just Below The Ribs While Breathing?
Question: Hi, for the past few hours I've been experiencing a slight sharp pain just below my ribs when breathing on the right side. I've tried stretching and burping but it doesn't seem to be going away. When I breathe in deeply, I can also feel a slight pain in the lower right side of my back. I only have one kidney but I can't remember which side it's on.
Brief Answer:
Observe with home care for one day, consult your physician if no relief.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The pain on right side- sharp & repeated can be due to various causes - A simple muscle pull- relived by pain medicine/ digestive problems causing gas under the diaphragm- like constipation, over eating, fatty or fast food- ( would be relieved by aerated drinks or sucking Gelusil MPS pill over the counter/ ribs problems like weak bones or costochondritis or rib joint pains - reduced by anti inflammatory drug like Ibuprofen over the counter./lungs problems- associated with cough, pain while breathing , breathlessness- needs to be evaluated by doctor / It can be due to involvement of liver, pancreas, gall bladder associated with nausea, pain while breathing./ Kidney stone. - these need investigations & temporarily relieved by pain medicine.
In this scenario you should try with home care like taking rest/ drinking lot of water& fruits, vegetables & salads/Taking over the counter medicines like Gelusil MPS , Ibuprofen 400 mg after food./applying muscle relaxants lightly on painful area( no massage please)
* If the pain is not reduced or relieved in 1 day OR it increases, you need doctor's advise for local examination & needful investigations to find the exact basic cause followed by cause specific treatment.
I hope that helps you. Any more information you need please do ask.
In case you do not have any follow up query, please close the query & grade the answer.
Thanks.
Observe with home care for one day, consult your physician if no relief.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The pain on right side- sharp & repeated can be due to various causes - A simple muscle pull- relived by pain medicine/ digestive problems causing gas under the diaphragm- like constipation, over eating, fatty or fast food- ( would be relieved by aerated drinks or sucking Gelusil MPS pill over the counter/ ribs problems like weak bones or costochondritis or rib joint pains - reduced by anti inflammatory drug like Ibuprofen over the counter./lungs problems- associated with cough, pain while breathing , breathlessness- needs to be evaluated by doctor / It can be due to involvement of liver, pancreas, gall bladder associated with nausea, pain while breathing./ Kidney stone. - these need investigations & temporarily relieved by pain medicine.
In this scenario you should try with home care like taking rest/ drinking lot of water& fruits, vegetables & salads/Taking over the counter medicines like Gelusil MPS , Ibuprofen 400 mg after food./applying muscle relaxants lightly on painful area( no massage please)
* If the pain is not reduced or relieved in 1 day OR it increases, you need doctor's advise for local examination & needful investigations to find the exact basic cause followed by cause specific treatment.
I hope that helps you. Any more information you need please do ask.
In case you do not have any follow up query, please close the query & grade the answer.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi again, and thank you. I don't know if any of these are related but I just wanted to state them just in case. The sharp pain occasionally comes back but seems to feel fairly dull at the moment. I've noticed as of lately I feel a little more lightheaded than usual, although I haven't been drinking as much water as I usually do. There has also been a couple of times where I've saw stars/sparkles in my eyes, and also noticed that one of my eyes is bloodshot around one area of the iris. I also don't know if this is related but I've also been experiencing blood in my poo for the last few months, which the doctor said was likely piles, I had blood test for hemogoblin a few weeks ago and everything came back satisfactory.
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the added information. I would deal with it one by one & try to co relate it with your primary complaint of pain under right rib cage.
-You have dull ache occasionally getting sharp- This can happen with digestive problems causing gases under diaphragm -- pushing with your body posture./ possibility of gall bladder or appendix as a cause needs to be evaluated/ excluded by doctor.
-More lightheadedness you have could be due to less water intake, low blood pressure , abdominal bloating,. Involvement of Eyes ,lung or heart needs to be evaluated / excluded by doctor.... can be due to your basic pain
-Drinking less water can cause dehydration ,induce formation of kidney stones& constipation- which can cause such pain .Drinking at least 10 to 12 glasses water would help you.
-Stars & sparkles & blood shot eyes could be due to less water intake/ low blood pressure/ injury to eye or exposure to heat. This does not seem to be related to your basic pain.... however I would suggest check up by an ophthalmologist for excluding refractory error or eye pressure.
-Blood in poo- Even if it's due to piles/ fissure... likely to follow constipation( which can be due to less water intake, bowel infection, infestation , food allergies ) needs to be evaluated/ excluded by doctor.... so can cause your basic pain.
- Normal hb% excludes excessive bleeding for long time .
* in this scenario you should improve your water intake , get your digestive system checked by a Gastroenterologist & also get an overall check up of your health to evaluate various problems you have including pain under right rib cage while you take home care as suggested in previous answer.
I hope that clears your doubts. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Detailed answer below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the added information. I would deal with it one by one & try to co relate it with your primary complaint of pain under right rib cage.
-You have dull ache occasionally getting sharp- This can happen with digestive problems causing gases under diaphragm -- pushing with your body posture./ possibility of gall bladder or appendix as a cause needs to be evaluated/ excluded by doctor.
-More lightheadedness you have could be due to less water intake, low blood pressure , abdominal bloating,. Involvement of Eyes ,lung or heart needs to be evaluated / excluded by doctor.... can be due to your basic pain
-Drinking less water can cause dehydration ,induce formation of kidney stones& constipation- which can cause such pain .Drinking at least 10 to 12 glasses water would help you.
-Stars & sparkles & blood shot eyes could be due to less water intake/ low blood pressure/ injury to eye or exposure to heat. This does not seem to be related to your basic pain.... however I would suggest check up by an ophthalmologist for excluding refractory error or eye pressure.
-Blood in poo- Even if it's due to piles/ fissure... likely to follow constipation( which can be due to less water intake, bowel infection, infestation , food allergies ) needs to be evaluated/ excluded by doctor.... so can cause your basic pain.
- Normal hb% excludes excessive bleeding for long time .
* in this scenario you should improve your water intake , get your digestive system checked by a Gastroenterologist & also get an overall check up of your health to evaluate various problems you have including pain under right rib cage while you take home care as suggested in previous answer.
I hope that clears your doubts. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
