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by Shelly Maxon on December 17th, 2004

Shelly Maxon

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I have a sharp pain below my ribs on the left side. It hurts when I move or take a deep breath. What could this be?

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Answers. 39 helpful answers below.

  • by goreingdoc on October 24th, 2009

    goreingdoc

    Great Answer

    Hand-picked by Answerbag's staff. (What's this?)

    It could be:
    Bowel Obstruction

    The large and small intestines wind throughout the abdomen, but left side stomach pain can sometimes be caused by a bowel obstruction on the left side of the intestines. This pain is usually accompanied by vomiting and either loose stools or no stools, and should be taken care of immediately at your local emergency room. Untreated, a bowel obstruction can cause numerous complications, including severe infections that can result in permanent damage.

    Diverticulitis

    Simply put, diverticulitis is a common disease among elderly patients involving a weak spot in the colon, which causes a pouch to bulge against the lining of that weak area. As the illness progresses, left side stomach pain is a common indicator, and patients may also experience nausea, bloating and constipation. This isn't a life-threatening illness, and is usually treated with a low-fiber diet, but you should visit your doctor for a diagnosis. You may require medication to maintain proper health.

    Viral Hepatitis

    A far more dangerous disease, left side stomach pain can also be indicative of viral hepatitis, which comes in five distinct forms and can be life-threatening. In most cases, patients will also notice a slight yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, as well as nausea and dark-tinted urine. Hepatitis usually causes a dull ache in the stomach rather than piercing pain, and it does not abate after eating or drinking (which can distinguish it from a bowel obstruction). See a doctor immediately if you suspect you have any form of hepatitis, and avoid physical contact with friends and family.

    Kidney Stones
    nother source of left side stomach pain can be kidney stones, and the fact that the pain originates in the left side indicates that the stone is passed from the left kidney. You might first experience a sharp pain in the back, which gradually


    (over a period of hours) moves into the front of the abdomen. If you think you have a kidney stone, you should head to the ER immediately in case it is too large to pass yourself. Infections and obstructions can threaten your life if this condition isn't treated.

    Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

    The left side stomach pain associated with pelvic inflammatory disease is usually dull and unabating, and occurs only in women. Some patients experience pain the middle of the abdomen as well as the left side, and is usually accompanied by a fever. This can lead to severe complications, so women who believe they might have this disease should schedule an appointment with their gynecologist immediately.

    Ulcerative Colitis

    Left side stomach pain can also be associated with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, especially when felt in the lower quadrant of the abdomen. Other symptoms will include loose stools, blood in the stools, weight loss, fatigue and muscle soreness, and it is important that you see your doctor quickly for a diagnosis.

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  • by Alatea on January 1st, 2006

    Alatea

    It could be muscle strain/injury. I had this same problem a few months ago and the doctor mentioned the phrase slipped rib syndrome. I have a habit of sitting into the corner of a chair while reading or watching television and this actually caused stress to the left side rib area. At the time I couldn't understand why I would have muscle strain because I do 5 kilometres a day on a bike and walking too. None of that counts when stress is put on the left side by the way you choose to sit in a chair or sofa. It's always best to check with a doctor if the pain persists.

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  • by Doina_S on December 16th, 2010

    Doina_S

    oh you guys, its nothing serious, i was told that its ur body just telling you you are fertile. something about dropping eggs lol it suppossed to happen every month and each month the source of the pain alternates between the left and right side and its like 7-14 days after ur period every month. time it and if what i described sounds familiar don't panic! =)

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  • by bucky on March 10th, 2008

    bucky

    I recently had two stents, one in my right leg, one in the artery in the neck, both 90% blocked. Blood pressure seems like it is under control. I also have Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. For about the last 1-1/2 month, I've been having sharp dull pain in my left side. It goes under my left breast and over to the other side of the breast. Sometimes the pain is so bad, it seems that that area becomes swollen but numb to the touch. It last 2 or 3 hours, then goes away. Somtime to pain is also on the right side but mostly on the left. I do not have my gall bladder either.

    What type of doctor should I go to or is it necessary to even go? It has become an everyday occurence.

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  • by tearyeyedamerican on April 23rd, 2006

    tearyeyedamerican

    This sounds like splenik flexure syndrome, basically gas. Gas can produce painful cramps that can have a grown man doubled over in agony. Women bear up better but suffer just the same. I suggest drinking lots of water to aid in maintaining a healthy BM staus. Does the pain subside after a BM? How about exersize? Stress complicates matters as well so it is important to eliminate stressfulness in your life. Read a book, go for long peaceful walks, try meditation. If this does not help you should make an appointment with your doctor, especially if the pain is continual. One cannot rule out kidney, bladder stones, which, if small enough, will pass on their own without any further disturbance. A spastic colon is also suspect. Again, lots of water and a high fiber diet will fix many problems that are associated with the intestinal system. Please remember, you should not rely solely on the answers you get from here. In the end you are the one responsible for your own health. Here's wishing you the best of health and a long life.

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  • by Sweet T on March 10th, 2008

    Sweet T

    It could be a few things, like an ulcer, hiatal hernia, GERD, inflammation of the upper digestive tract, Gastritis.

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  • by bucky on March 10th, 2008

    bucky

    Thank you. I do have an upcoming appt with my liver doctor in about 2 weeks. Guess I will hold off until then unless it gets too bad

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  • by Drjorx on June 6th, 2007

    Drjorx

    It can be a simple case of gas, however if it gets worce or does not go away after a few hours seek medical help. If any pain in the arms or legs, chills, sweats or feaver happen get to the hospital. Sharp pains in the ribs can be anything from gas to a heart attack, to a blood clot in the lungs, or any of the listed above and more. Any time you have a pain that gets worce over a few hours, does not go away, is on and off for a few days, or is joined by pains in other parts of the body.. its time to seek medical help. Small pains can be the warning of big problms. The most importaht thing a person can do is get checked out when pains like that happen, catching things early is the key, and looking for these warning sighns are the best way to find out. Here are just a few serios conditions that can have only or sevral pains you listed.

    Deep Vein Thrombosis
    patients with a DVT have no symptoms at all unless the clot dislodges, travels to the lung, and causes a pulmonary embolism. In this case, the patient may develop a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, or cough up blood. http://www.medicinenet.com/deep_vein_thrombosis/page3.htm

    Pulmonary Embolism
    Small emboli may not cause any symptoms, but most emboli cause shortness of breath, which comes on very quickly. Shortness of breath may be the only symptom, especially if pulmonary infarction does not develop. Often, the breathing is very rapid, and the person may feel anxious or restless and appear to have an anxiety attack. Larger emboli commonly cause sharp pain in the chest, especially when the person inhales; the pain is called pleuritic chest pain.
    http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch046/ch046a.html#sec04-ch046-ch046a-420

    Heart attack
    Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes
    Pain extending beyond your chest to your shoulder, arm, back, or even to your teeth and jaw
    Increasing episodes of chest pain
    Prolonged pain in the upper abdomen
    Shortness of breath
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-attack/DS00094/DSECTION=2

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  • by baly327 on October 5th, 2006

    baly327

    Did you ever find out what caused the pain. I have it now and it just started out of the blue. No injury, not sick, etc.

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  • by lilsmartie on August 14th, 2008

    lilsmartie

    You don't have to worry it's really nothing serious.I just asked my doctor. It has nothing to do about your heart. It's called a "stitch". It's not caused by anything particular. It just seems to happen. It only last maybe a couple seconds when you take short breaths. But if you take deep ones it will last longer. So in short, don't worry you'll be fine, take short breaths when you have it,

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  • by tjatherton on October 5th, 2006

    tjatherton

    This could be gall stones. My daughter had the same symtoms when she was 18... they said gall blatter was the problem. Medication cured it.

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  • by apcafi on November 2nd, 2006

    apcafi

    gas.

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  • by alicelane83 on February 21st, 2009

    alicelane83

    idk im going thru the same thing too and on top of that i have panick attacks too so that dont make anything better. i got hit by a car when i was 8 and my back is severely crooked and they said things wouldnt get bad for me til im older well im 25 now and i think it caught up with me right now ive been taking some short breaths and its kinda going away idk i do know i was sitting in an akward way in the computer chair for 5 hours but im also battling the flu too!!!. plz help!!!

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  • by EmptyWallet on September 27th, 2009

    EmptyWallet

    I hope they found out, this question was asked in 2004..:)

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  • by lady_luck713 on September 29th, 2009

    lady_luck713

    I have sharp pains just below my ribs on the right side only. Sometimes it bothers me for weeks on end and will then go away for a month and then come back. I have gotten blood work done, xrays and ultrasounds. I have trouble breathing which seems to make it more painful. I had surgery a year ago and I was told by my surgeon that the pain was being created by air that was never released before I was stitched back up. Have you had surgery lately?

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  • by AlexInPain on September 27th, 2009

    AlexInPain

    Facet Joint DYSFUNCTION - is when ribs are incorrectly aligned. tissues in the area become inflammed and as the ribs rub, it' very painful. I find that it helps to lay down on the ground and cross my harms, take a deep breadth and hold for a few seconds. this takes the muscle out of it's spasms. But it's not a cure, just a way to oliviate the immediate pain. i'm going in for x-ray and massage. We'll see

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  • by Britt999 on April 7th, 2009

    Britt999

    I have the exact same problem. My doctor said that if i was stressing, my bowel was actually contracting, and Metamucil could help. I tried it, and it gives me temporary help. So does a heating pad. Still in need of help, though. :(

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  • by lisadias4 on December 18th, 2008

    lisadias4

    Actually I experienced this just today while at work. It felt like a stabbing feeling in my left side just on the side of my left breast. It's gone right now, but I can actually feel it coming. Weird. If I move it's worse, but its not muscle. It feels even worse when I put pressure on it. Idk, could it be my heart? I don't have any other symptoms associated with this pain, and it will go away after oh, I guess an hour or so. Please advise anyone.

    thanks,
    Lisa

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  • by ry9no@aol.com on May 26th, 2012

    ry9no@aol.com

    I got the same pain in the left side in under my ribs its not a horrible pain more annoying really. It just came on but I did play softball a few days ago and I swing really hard I kinda think it has something to do with that because I feel fine other than that

    should I see a doctor its more just annoying really

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  • by SeTh_mAn on December 9th, 2008

    SeTh_mAn

    i have no idea but i have it too, sucks dont it? i think i may have slept on it wroung but i was working out yesterday and when i woke up it suddenly hurt to breathe and i got a stabbing sensation, this only happens when i take deep breathes though, im thinking its a stitch or somthing like a torn muscle but im not sure. does anyone know? if they do E Mail me on SethD414@harnett.gaggle.net.

    THANKS

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  • by kakugawa3 on January 26th, 2012

    kakugawa3

    It could and probably is walking pneumonia or pneumonia. If you haven't had any type of injuries to your body, this is probably some kind of pneumonia.
    You should seek a doctor's opion, I suggest you see a physician immediately!

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  • by TREE3872 on July 14th, 2010

    TREE3872

    DO YOU DRINK ALCOHOL? I DRANK HEAVILY FOR TEN YEARS, THEN I STARTED GETTING SOB AND A PRESSURE/MILD PAIN UNDER MY LEFT RIBS. IT WASN'T AS BAD WHEN I LAYED DOWN.DOC SAID I DAMAGED MY STOMACH/INTESTINES WITH DRINKING. I ABSTAINED FROM ALCHOL FOR A WEEK AND I FEEL MUCH BETER AND CAN BREATH BETTER. OVER THE COUNTER OMEPRAZOLE ALSO HELPS BUT DON'T TAKE IT MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS CAUSE LONG TERM USE OF PPI'S ARE DANGEROUS. GOOD LUCK.

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  • by Raneyboy on July 27th, 2010

    Raneyboy

    You most likely have a pinched muscle on your back. When you move and breathe this causes strain, hence, the sharp pains you are feeling. Try doing a few simple back stretches very slowly, favoring the side that is irritating you, and the sharp pains should pass. If pains persist, I recommend you seek professional help.

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  • by free2breathe on September 29th, 2010

    free2breathe

    If you're a woman, maybe your bra is too tight. After a year of doctors, Asthma and GERD medicine, I realized I was wearing my bra too tight. I switched to sports bras and over the last month, I have slowly reagined my normal breathing. I went through a year of rib pain and preathing problems because of my underwire bra. It wasn't allowing my lungs to expand!So, try that.

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  • by nooneinparticular333 on June 11th, 2010

    nooneinparticular333

    If the pain is very sharp as you breath in and feels like something is pinched in your ribs then it is 'Precordial Catch Syndrome'. Very common (yet doctors rarely know about it for some reason), very minor, related to nervous system, lots of info on internet if you type the name in. No one is sure what it really is and no long term cure for repeat attacks however short term cure is to breath in deep and let it 'pop' - might be a bit painfull but works and is completely gone till the next time.

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  • by DrRYD on January 20th, 2010

    DrRYD

    pleurisy is inflammation between the lung and rib that can happen after having a cold and coughing too much, or especially after people having pneumonia. It usually goes away within a month. But you can see your doctor for anti-inflammatory/pain meds if needed.

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  • by dpw1975 on January 1st, 2010

    dpw1975

    y is this ? still posted it is 6 yrs old.

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  • by Firebrand on January 1st, 2010

    Firebrand

    It could be a pulled muscle which can be very painful in the rib area, but there are other things which need a Doctor to investigate. Make an appointment to see your Doctor.

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  • by thinkngrowrich on January 1st, 2010

    thinkngrowrich

    i went to see a chiropractor about the same pain you guys are mentioning. he told me that i had 3 ribs slightly out of place, so he popped them back in. it didnt really hurt, it felt like a random crack. i felt instant relief. the pain started to come back so we did some x-rays and it turned out that i had a very slight curve in lower part of my spine. this is why my ribs kept popping out of place. so i recommend you guys to go see a chiropractor, you could a have phase 1 scoliosis and not even know it. so before its to late go get checked.

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  • by med123 on October 10th, 2010

    med123

    I talked to my uncle. a cardiologist and he said if it is consistint for more than 2 hrs or so then it may be a gaul bladder problem and to go to the physician.

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  • by Preston_D on October 17th, 2010

    Preston_D

    (pcs) that is the pain you are filling it has nothing to do with your heart it is the lungs it fills like a bubble in ur chest when u breath/ just take short breath for a bout a minute or so and you will be ok "stitch" is another name for it

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  • by Mrs.LTurner on March 1st, 2011

    Mrs.LTurner

    This could very well be a out of place rib,fracture of the rib (easier to do than you think)

    I would suggest having your PP look at it or ER if you dont have insurance to insure it is not a kidney stone (though it is not typical for the pain to incress upon breathing with these but possible)

    If they give you the green light on health I suggest you see a Crio. doc they can help TONS in this area

    Best of luck and wishes

    Lee


    (I am not a doctor my adivce is sole my own and what I have been through)

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  • by mrebeler87 on November 15th, 2011

    mrebeler87

    It most likely is PCS... refer to this link here for further information.

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.failedsuccess.com/index.php%3F/weblog/comments/precordial_catch_syndrome_chest_pain/&sa=U&ei=nZrCTrTuGOfDsQLvrejpBA&ved=0CBcQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNEh-oea1u9eQA8IHjkf7HcQWApEQg

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  • by BjarkiStef on January 26th, 2012

    BjarkiStef

    This pain woke me up in the middle of the night. I had just taken a Magnesium blend disolved in water on an empty stomach before I went to sleep. 3 hours after doing so I woke up with a really weird, stabbing pain in the front of my middle-abdoment. It hurt to move and to take deep breaths. I figured it must've been my intestines, and it mus've been a blockages since it got worse when my diaphragm pushed my organs down.
    I realized it could be gas, ate some food to "ram" the gas down my intestines and it worked :D

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  • by ronwan1 on December 29th, 2010

    ronwan1

    I have sharp pain more like a spasm when I strich or turn the wrong way it has been going on for a long time and some time catches me good when I move the wrong way it takes a min or two to get it to go away .What could this be?

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  • by dominique.saucedo on November 29th, 2010

    dominique.saucedo

    PRAY TO GOD

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  • by Ruby_C2210 on November 8th, 2010

    Ruby_C2210

    I have the same problem!! But its on my right side!. I have had it for a day now and still hasnt gone away! Im in a lot of pain when breathing deeply and if I turn my body. If im still sore by tomorrow i will seek help from my GP.

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  • by Rajten on November 25th, 2010

    Rajten

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  • by christinavo on January 1st, 2010

    christinavo

    I just woke up and have it now. I couldn't yawn because breathing deeply feels like somebody is stabbing me in my shoulder. Ouch!

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