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What Causes Sharp Pain Under The Left Rib Cage?
Question: I have a sharp pain under my left rib cage, extending up to the left shoulder. It's painful to take a deep breath.
Brief Answer:
pleuritis is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Any pain that occurs on the left side of the chest can get referred up into the shoulder area.
There are several possibilities for this sort of pain. One is that there is some inflammation around your left lung (pleuritis). This would explain why it would hurt when you took a deep breath.
If it is not triggered by exercise or exertion it is not likely from your heart but that is always a bit of a concern when you have left chest pain.
The other possibility is some problem in your stomach or esophagus. They sit right under the diaphragm on the left and could be getting irritated when you take a deep breath.
If you have a fever or shortness of breath you should go to emergency.
If not, then you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get an exam and possibly some sort of imaging to sort out the cause
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
pleuritis is possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Any pain that occurs on the left side of the chest can get referred up into the shoulder area.
There are several possibilities for this sort of pain. One is that there is some inflammation around your left lung (pleuritis). This would explain why it would hurt when you took a deep breath.
If it is not triggered by exercise or exertion it is not likely from your heart but that is always a bit of a concern when you have left chest pain.
The other possibility is some problem in your stomach or esophagus. They sit right under the diaphragm on the left and could be getting irritated when you take a deep breath.
If you have a fever or shortness of breath you should go to emergency.
If not, then you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get an exam and possibly some sort of imaging to sort out the cause
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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