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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In The Upper Abdomen Below The Ribs?

Pain in R upper quadrant. Started this afternoon and seems to have worsened somewhat. It feels as though I have been stabbed. The pain seems to come and go in intensity.I It is just below the ribs. I am aged 88 in reasonably good health apart from a chest infection which is responding now to antibiotics. The pain is more painful if I cough . My chest seems to be improving after a second session of antibiotics. I can cope but concerned in case it gets going during the night. I have a Doctor s appointment on Wednesday re the chest problem . I am hoping I can handle the situation until I see my Doctor. The pain is bearable but concerned in case it is something that really matters. Your kind help would be appreciated . To viisit AE on a Saturday night is not a good idea! David Lawson
Wed, 13 Mar 2019
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.

Since there is already a history of chest infection being treated with another course of an antibiotic and now that you have developed stabbing pain in the right upper abdomen just under ribs that get increased on the coughing the probable causes as as follows:
The commonest cause I can think about is pleural rub, the pain being severe and history of infection in lungs.
Gall bladder and liver infection can cause similar pains.
any infection or inflammation under the right diaphragm also can cause similar symptoms.
Hence I would advise you the following:
Take an anti-inflammatory with painkiller property like Ibuprofen if it suits you.
Consult at ER or A and E as pre the availability so that at least an X-ray of chest and ultrasonography of abdomen will help to delineate the cause and get additional treatment.
Also will have blood tests and other investigations like CT scan of chest and upper abdomen that will confirm the diagnosis.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T Chandrakant,
General Surgeon
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What Causes Pain In The Upper Abdomen Below The Ribs?

Hi. Since there is already a history of chest infection being treated with another course of an antibiotic and now that you have developed stabbing pain in the right upper abdomen just under ribs that get increased on the coughing the probable causes as as follows: The commonest cause I can think about is pleural rub, the pain being severe and history of infection in lungs. Gall bladder and liver infection can cause similar pains. any infection or inflammation under the right diaphragm also can cause similar symptoms. Hence I would advise you the following: Take an anti-inflammatory with painkiller property like Ibuprofen if it suits you. Consult at ER or A and E as pre the availability so that at least an X-ray of chest and ultrasonography of abdomen will help to delineate the cause and get additional treatment. Also will have blood tests and other investigations like CT scan of chest and upper abdomen that will confirm the diagnosis. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T Chandrakant, General Surgeon