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What Causes Sharp Stabbing Pain Under Left Rib Cage?
Question: I have a sharp stabbing pain under my left rib cage. Do you know what it could be and what i should do?
I recently had a breast augmentation, I don't know if one has to do with the other.
Thanks
I recently had a breast augmentation, I don't know if one has to do with the other.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Can be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The sharp stabbing pain under the left rib cage can be due to a muscular pain. This can be diagnosed if the pain increases on specific movements or on direct pressure on the affected area. Such pain can respond to medications like Ibuprofen 400 mg taken three times a day. This generally resolves within a week.
Other causes include:
1) Peptic ulcer disease or Hiatal hernia. Diagnosis can be confirmed by upper GI endoscopy. Try raising the head of your bed about four inches with blocks. It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for two hours before you lie down. To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them, or eat chocolate or spicy or greasy foods. Also take some antacid but if the symptoms are severe, then you may need drugs like proton pump inhibitors.
2) Pancreatitis - it may cause upper left abdominal pain which is worse when bending over or sitting. Pancreatic enzymes like serum amylase and lipase should be measured to rule out any pancreatic cause.
3) The last possibility is of any kidney stones which may present as such sharp pain radiating to the back. For this purpose you need to get an ultrasound abdomen and kidneys done.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The sharp stabbing pain under the left rib cage can be due to a muscular pain. This can be diagnosed if the pain increases on specific movements or on direct pressure on the affected area. Such pain can respond to medications like Ibuprofen 400 mg taken three times a day. This generally resolves within a week.
Other causes include:
1) Peptic ulcer disease or Hiatal hernia. Diagnosis can be confirmed by upper GI endoscopy. Try raising the head of your bed about four inches with blocks. It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for two hours before you lie down. To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them, or eat chocolate or spicy or greasy foods. Also take some antacid but if the symptoms are severe, then you may need drugs like proton pump inhibitors.
2) Pancreatitis - it may cause upper left abdominal pain which is worse when bending over or sitting. Pancreatic enzymes like serum amylase and lipase should be measured to rule out any pancreatic cause.
3) The last possibility is of any kidney stones which may present as such sharp pain radiating to the back. For this purpose you need to get an ultrasound abdomen and kidneys done.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Yes it can get bigger.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Yes. Hiatus hernia can become bigger with time. Also it precipitates the symptoms of gastric acidity. It is best to decrease stress and anxiety and avoid taking coffee. You can also have antacid whenever the symptoms are severe.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Yes it can get bigger.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Yes. Hiatus hernia can become bigger with time. Also it precipitates the symptoms of gastric acidity. It is best to decrease stress and anxiety and avoid taking coffee. You can also have antacid whenever the symptoms are severe.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
had a Gi endoscopy in July and i was diagnosed with a small Hiatal hernia, dohiatal hernias get bigger?I am on 2 40mg tabc a day. but i do drink coffee i try to limit it to 2 cups a day.
Do you think I should call my Gastroenterolgist about this? I heard sometimes hiatal hernias need to get operated on
Do you think I should call my Gastroenterolgist about this? I heard sometimes hiatal hernias need to get operated on
Brief Answer:
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Yes. If the pain is persistent and severe then surgical correction may be needed. Do consul;t your gastroenterologist regarding this.
Regards.
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Yes. If the pain is persistent and severe then surgical correction may be needed. Do consul;t your gastroenterologist regarding this.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you think I should call my Gastroenterolgist about this? I heard sometimes hiatal hernias need to get operated on
Brief Answer:
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Yes. You need to consult your gastroenterologist regarding this.
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Yes. You need to consult your gastroenterologist regarding this.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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