Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage: How to Get Rid of
Dec 06, 2021
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Are you suffering from sudden sharp pain under your right rib cage and you don't know what to do? If bending over or doing the simple home task is getting difficult for you, then you are in the right place.The solution to this pain can be very confusing as in some conditions you just need the right medication. On the other hand, in some cases, you need to go to an operation theatre.
If you don't know the main causes, then this pain will be a real deal for you. So stick to this article to know the right direction to get rid of this problem.
Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage: Overview
Nowadays pain under the right rib cage is a very common issue. People diagnosed with this problem have so many varieties in terms of causes.
The pain depends on what organ is on the right side under ribs like the liver, right kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder. So, it can be a sign of severe issues related to these parts.
The situation can go wrong very easily. That’s why the first thing should be to see a doctor to know the exact condition for better treatment.
Reasons Behind Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage
Knowing the underlying causes that can make you face this problem. Do you want to know what pain under the right rib cage indicates? Here are the reasons that can trigger this pain:
Gallbladder:
Gallbladder disease can lead to horrible pain under the right upper quadrant. This organ is found under the RUQ of the abdomen or the liver. Gallstones in the gallbladder which are basically tiny stones made of cholesterol. Obese people are more likely to get diagnosed with gallstones.
These stones get stuck in a tube duct and cause sharp pain underneath your right rib cage. This pain may go on the shoulder and stay up to 5 hours. Here are the symptoms:
Symptoms:
- High fever
- Skin getting yellowish
- Fast heartbeat
- Nausea
- Dark color urine
- Light-colored stool
- Vomiting
Since lack of treatment can lead to cholecystitis which is inflammation of the gallbladder. So visit a doctor if you see any of these symptoms in you.

Kidney Issues:
Sudden pain under the right rib cage can be a sign of several problems related to the kidney such as kidney cancer, kidney infection, and kidney stones.
One of the main reasons for this pain is Nephrolithiasis or popularly known as kidney stones. It might make you pee often or experience pain and blood every time you pee.
Though kidney stone doesn’t cause remarkable pain as gallstone does, you might feel severe pain in case of the stone getting trapped in your urinary path. Then you probably need surgery.
It will not do any damage as the stone passes while peeing. So drinking a lot of water and medication can help. But you might consult a doctor to know the exact condition.
Symptoms:
- Pain while peeing
- Bad-smelling urine
- Cloudy looking pee
- Fever and chills
- Pain traveling to the lower back
- Nausea and puking
- Blood in pee
The affecting ratio is more on the men's side than women. But you need to see a doctor immediately If you are overaged, pregnant, or the pain doesn’t go away after taking medication.
Liver Problems:
Liver diseases like a liver abscess, hepatitis, and liver cancer can cause rib pain. As the liver covers a lot of places of the RUQ, issues related to this area can lead to pain.
Hepatitis is a common liver problem and has different varieties that happen because of liver inflammation. Consuming excessive alcohol or specific infection is the main reason to blame.
Similarly in liver abscess a formation of pus in an area of the liver. This is a common issue caused by bacterial infection. However, diabetic patients are prone to this condition.
In case of scarred liver or cirrhosis, the liver doesn’t work the way it is supposed to. Too much alcohol, a virus such as hepatitis C can lead to this problem and cause upper right side pain.
Symptoms:
- Yellowish eyes and itchy skin
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dark stool
- A little bit of blood in puke
- Breathing problems
If you are witnessing any of these symptoms, then consult a doctor without any delay.
Pancreatitis:
The pancreas is placed in the abdomen area or just below the liver of our body. Any health issue causing inflammation in the pancreas can leave you with severe pain on RUQ.
Doctors address this Inflammation in the pancreas condition as pancreatitis. Based on the situation, there are two types of pancreatitis.
Acute Pancreatitis:
If you are feeling sick and have pain on the right side of your body, then It’s probably acute pancreatitis. Though the inflammation period is not that long, the pain is more severe.
Chronic Pancreatitis:
On the other hand, people diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis may have to face damage for a lifetime because of the long inflammation period with mild pain.
Symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Raised heart rate
Gastrointestinal Problems:
Small problems like issues related to digestion can trigger stomach pain under ribs middle. So we better take this bad digestion, peptic ulcers, and gas problems seriously.
In case of a bad digestive system symptoms like burning sessions and nausea can create a bit of discomfort. But with healthy eating habits and medicines, it'll go away.
Symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Chest pain
- Stomach pain after meals
- Bloating
Though the gas pain under ribs on the right side could be dull and more of a burning pain, it is important to consult a specialist if the problem comes back frequently.
Shingles:
An infection known as shingles caused by the virus varicella-zoster can also be the reason behind your shooting pain in RUQ. It’s the same virus that causes Chickenpox.
People with low immunity due to overage, taking steroids or having any physical injury are more likely to be diagnosed with Shingles. The pain starts in RUQ with a blister looking rash in the chest.
Symptoms:
- Fever before the pain starts
- Line of itchy rashes under the right rib cage
- Nausea
- Chills
- Headache
Back to Life Program by Emily lark discover some simple stretches to cure sciatica. Read Emily lark’s Erase my back pain reviews.
How to Cure Sudden Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage:
First things first! You need to consult a specialist first and go under several tests even if the pain is not that severe. Because only a doctor can tell what you exactly need.
The treatment can be very different depending on the current condition of your body. Mostly with simple lifestyle changes and recommended medicine will do the job. But sometimes patients need surgery to stop the situation from getting worse or if there is no other way around. Here are some conditions that require surgery:
Blocked Bile Duct
If you feel a certain dull pain under the right rib cage comes and goes, then you might have gallstones in your gallbladder. The stone blocking the bile duct could be an alarming situation that left no option but surgery.
To Get Rid of the Tumor:
Already having kidney and liver cancer patients are more prone to surgeries. Therefore, the operation is crucial for tumor removal based on the stages of their cancer.
Large Kidney Stones:
People diagnosed with kidney stones that won't pass away through peeing need to get it out via operation. Similarly, the stone can be broken into tiny pieces using ultrasound waves.
Precautions You Might Take:
Taking precautions to avoid this sharp pain in the RUQ can save your time, money, and health at the same time. So, It’s better if you try to prevent these health issues that can bring the pain with some simple lifestyle changes.
Changing Eating Habits:
Eating healthy balanced meals containing lots of fiber like oats, whole grain food, fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. For a stronger digestive system, chew your food well and eat on time.
Since drinking lots of water can help to avoid kidney issues and other diseases, so drink more water. Because maintaining a healthy weight should be your goal.
Stop midnight binging on unhealthy junk. Therefore, avoid the deep-fired thing, food with a high amount of sugar like chocolate, Ice-cream, and sodas.
Dropping Bad Habits:
If you are a chain smoker, then quit smoking. On the other hand, heavy drinkers are more prone to these health issues that can cause pain under the right rib cage. Bad sleeping habits can also ruin your health and suck up your energy to do things. So make sure to sleep on time to prevent health issues.
With the Help of Exercises:
Don't worry you don't need to hit the gym every day or lift heavy weights to avoid pain under RUQ. All you need to do is a little bit of light body movement stretching practices and yoga.
Conclusion
Though the pain might be alright on Its own it can indicate several threatening diseases like gallstones and kidney infection. That’s why you should not take rib pain lightly.
On the other hand, right upper quadrant pain under ribs radiating back can give you a sleepless night. So, if you feel the pain is unbearable, then don't be a hero and take medical help immediately.
Also read: How to cure sciatica permanently
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