What Causes Pain Below The Rib Cage?

Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014

Question: Hello, i am a 31 year old female, 5.6' tall and 11 stone. Over the past few weeks i have been experiencing pain below my ribcage, more on the right side along my ribs and up to sternum. this pain comes and goes, its more discomfort, does not affect my breathing. Feels like a bruisy kind of pain that stays for awhile then goes away within a few minutes.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Costochondritis may be the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
After going through your suffering, the pain could be of costochondritis (painful when ribs are pressed) that is inflammation at the ends of ribs. To rule out other possibilities, please tell me do you have fever, cough?
It may be relieved by following measure along with the drugs like ibuprofen-
1. Avoiding unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse; avoid contact sports until there is improvement in symptoms, and then return to normal activities only as tolerated.
2. Rib belt along with hot water fomentation helps.
3. Physiotherapy in form of short wave diathermy and TENS helps.
4.Breathing exercises (yoga) also helps.

If the problem persists you may see a doctor to rule out the other possibilities.
Hope this information suffices and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar