Reasons Behind Feeling Like Something Under The Right Rib Cage

By - Anika Zuberi

Feels like something under right rib cage is something that’s not very uncommon but then again, it is something that you should be careful about.

If you are feeling something under the right rib cage, that’s most likely a mild pain or fullness which does not seem to have a swelling or bulging when you touch the area.

The feeling of something under the right rib cage can either be something that has a more serious underlying cause to it, or it might be something that is not even worth worrying about.

Here are 10 important reasons you should know about in order to find an explanation for the feeling.

Feels Like Something Under Right Rib Cage

There are some significant organs under the right side and near the rib cage. These organs play a vital role in displaying a mild pain on even fullness which later might develop a serious medical condition.

The most important organ under the right rib cage is the liver with the gallbladder. Some other structures near these are the stomach, spleen, and pancreas which are mainly under the left rib cage.

These organs despite being on the right side can still have some effects and transfer pain on the left side as well.

Reasons of Feeling Pain Under the Right Rib Cage

According to several surveys and reports did from the statements of patients, many have experienced a certain kind of pain under the right rib cage. It is most likely a mild one rather than a severe one which might last a day or more depending on its underlying cause.

If the pain gets frequent and more intense over a period of weeks then it is best to consult your doctor immediately.

Splenic or Hepatic Flexure Syndrome

The hepatic flexure or right colic separates the ascending from the transverse colon and the splenic flexure or left colic separates the transverse and the descending colon.

This happens when gas builds up or becomes trapped in the colon. This gas accumulation causes the trapped air to push against the inner lining of the stomach with the digestive tract as well. Then it causes inflammation which can cause pain and discomfort in the surrounding organs including the right upper quadrant (RUQ).

Some causes of Splenic or hepatic flexure syndrome are given below-

Symptoms are-

While these symptoms might be mild, they can also get severe and cause intense pain and in that case, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Splenic or hepatic flexure syndrome can be diagnosed by your doctor by closely examining your abdomen with the associated symptoms.

Some of the diagnostic procedures are-

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease includes inflammation, infection, and blockage of the gallbladder. The following are the diseases related to gallbladder-

Symptoms are-

Diagnosis can be done by blood tests and ultrasound with other imaging. Treatment can be done by removing the gallbladder by the laparoscopic procedure.

Gallstone

As the gallbladder is a noticeable organ situated in the right upper quadrant under the liver, it has a vital role in causing pain under the right rib cage.

Gallstones are hard stone-like objects which are formed in the gallbladder or biliary duct due to impaired emptying of bile or excess cholesterol or bilirubin present in bile.

Symptoms are-

If the above-mentioned symptoms get severe over time and you cannot even sit comfortably due to the increasing pain then you should immediately consult with your doctor. Complications are-

A way of treatment is removing the gallbladder by a surgical procedure which is called a cholecystectomy. Risk of gallstones can be reduced by-

Indigestion

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach can cause pain or a feeling of fullness under the right rib cage after eating. It happens when the stomach starts to function abnormally.

Symptoms are-

If any of the above symptoms get severe then it is important that you consult with your doctor as indigestion can lead to more painful conditions like gastric ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Diagnosis can be done by various imaging and conducting an endoscopy. 

Treatment plans are mainly medications which are-

With time the conditions get better but in addition to medications, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid many other severe gastric conditions.

Prevention of the above-mentioned condition can be done by eating healthy, avoiding alcohol consumption and stress eating, and most importantly having a stress-free life.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a condition in which the acidic contents of the stomach keep coming back up through the esophagus. It is a very painful condition that starts with feeling like pain under the right rib cage.

Some of the symptoms are-

These symptoms are aggravated if you maintain an unhealthy lifestyle and smoke regularly. Although GERD is a very common clinical condition in people above the age of 40, it is also seen in pregnancy and obesity too.

Treatment plans include medications and surgery-

Surgeries include Laparoscopic antireflux surgery which prevents acid reflux by creating a new valve mechanism and LINX device implantation which is a minimally invasive surgery.

Prevention can be done by-

Liver Abscess

Liver abscess is a condition in which there is a mass filled with pus in the liver. The liver is a very important organ that stores fat, glucose and carries out many essential functions for the digestion of food. The bile in the liver breaks down fat and converts it into energy.

Liver abscess is a common condition which is caused by-

Symptoms are-

If symptoms like high fever, malaise, lethargy, mental confusion, delusions, and rapid heart rate are prominent then you should contact your doctor immediately as these indicate a more severe condition of liver abscess.

Diagnosis is done by ultrasound imaging, blood tests, etc.

Treatment include-

Prevention of liver abscess includes avoiding contaminated water, alcohol, limiting traveling to places where amebic infections are common, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. This condition produces a significant amount of pain under the right rib cage. The pancreas releases powerful enzymes in the small intestine to help in the digestion of food. It also releases insulin and glucagon to reduce blood glucose levels.

There are two forms of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Both are painful conditions and can cause a lot of discomfort in the body.

Causes and risk factors are-

In about 15% of cases of acute pancreatitis, the causes are unknown. 30-40% of cases of chronic pancreatitis do not have a specific cause.

Some of the symptoms are-

These symptoms can get worse with time leading to many complications such as pancreatic cancer, kidney failure, malnutrition, and others. It is crucial to contact your physician as soon as you face these symptoms.

Diagnosis of pancreatitis can be done by-

Treatment can be done by taking medications like antibiotics and Aspirin, draining the stomach by a tube through the nose, and a low-fat diet. If the condition gets more severe then you might need to go through gallbladder surgery in case of gallstones and pancreas surgery to take out the infected tissue from the pancreas.

Prevention is possible by avoiding alcohol consumption and smoking as these are highly responsible for pancreatic attacks.

Kidney Infection

Kidney infections mainly are caused by bacteria that can come from the urinary tract into the kidney. This condition can be a very painful one that can radiate from the lower abdomen to the back and under the right rib cage.

People who are at high risk of having a kidney infection are the ones who-

Symptoms are-

Treatment can be done by starting with antibiotics and noticing if the symptoms are getting worse with time in order to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Prevention of kidney infection is possible by-

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are also known as Pyelonephritis is a common problem worldwide and more than a million patients visit hospitals with the complaint of pain in the back which is one of the symptoms of kidney stones.

Kidney stones are hard objects which are formed in the kidney from the deposition of chemicals from urine.

Some of the causes are-

Symptoms are-

It is very important to notice the symptoms so that you can consult your doctor regarding the condition.

Diagnosis of kidney stones can be done by X-ray of KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder region), high-resolution CT scan, and medical examination.

Treatment plans are-

Prevention can be done by-

Side Stitch

A side stitch is referred to as a pain that is felt around the abdomen during physical exercise. It is very common in our daily life like when you take a sudden walk or try to work out without warming up first. Feeling something like pain under the right rib cage is a very common thing to come across which is basically a side stitch.

Side stitch is not a very painful condition but then again, it can cause some discomfort.

Some of the causes of side stitch are-

 Symptoms are- 

Treatment can be done by-

Prevention of side stitch is very much possible by following some simple ways-

Conclusion

As you have understood by now, pain is the most probable thing you will feel under the right rib cage. But there are still a few conditions in which you will feel fullness there. Feeling pain under the right rib cage can raise a lot of questions about your health condition.

Most of the conditions mentioned above are medical conditions that have pain as a primary symptom. But as we all know, there is always a way to prevent these conditions from occurring.

Leading a very healthy lifestyle is the key to happiness, both physically and mentally. If you follow healthy ways of living then you can surely find the path to achieving good health.

If you are facing any symptoms of the clinical conditions that were mentioned before, then you should consult your doctor or physician in order to get relief from the painful feeling.

FAQs

What organ is under your right rib cage?

The part under the right rib cage is called the right upper quadrant (RUQ). This region has some important organs like the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidney.

What does pain under the right rib cage indicate?

A sudden sharp pain under the right rib cage can indicate gallstones in the gallbladder. Another kind of pain can be felt due to pancreatitis which can be either acute or chronic.

Why do you have a ball under your rib cage?

It is most likely a lump that is made up of fatty tissues which feel like a ball under the rib cage. The lump is usually painless and not worth worrying about.

Why does it feel like something is moving under the ribs?

This is due to liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) which can feel like a firm, solid mass.

Can gas cause pain on the right side under the rib cage?

It is common to feel the pain caused by gas under the right rib cage. Hepatic or splenic flexure can cause pain which is present in the large intestine.