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Is A Sharp Intermittent Pain Behind My Left Rib Cage Concerning?
Posted on
Mon, 19 Feb 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 19 Feb 2018
Answered on
Thu, 5 Dec 2024
Last reviewed on
Question : I have a pain that comes and goes, behind my left rib cage, in the front, 2-3 inches above my belly button but over the the left. Is that something I should be concerned about? It’s a pretty sharp pain.
Brief Answer:
Information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
The area you are describing, if it is just a little bit over to the left from midline, is the stomach and lower esophagus. It's possible that you have irritation there from acid reflux or stomach lining irritation.
If this just started, taking ranitidine (Zantac) can help resolve it. In the meantime, avoid NSAIDs like Advil, aspirin, alcohol, spicy and acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes) as these can all irritate the lining, and avoid mint as that can increase reflux if that is what is going on (acid can come up into the lower esophagus).
Hope it helps.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
The area you are describing, if it is just a little bit over to the left from midline, is the stomach and lower esophagus. It's possible that you have irritation there from acid reflux or stomach lining irritation.
If this just started, taking ranitidine (Zantac) can help resolve it. In the meantime, avoid NSAIDs like Advil, aspirin, alcohol, spicy and acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes) as these can all irritate the lining, and avoid mint as that can increase reflux if that is what is going on (acid can come up into the lower esophagus).
Hope it helps.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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