STITCH LIKE PAIN IN RIGHT SIDE UNDER RIBS
Stitch like pain in right side under ribs is a common complaint and concern among people. How often do you experience stitch like pain in right side under ribs? What is the nature of stitch like pain in right side under ribs? In which setting do you experience stitch like pain in right side under ribs?
Right side under ribs is the right quadrant area when the abdomen is divided by four quadrant method. Right side ribs have some organs below and near it and include: Pancreas, intestines, right kidney, gallbladder and liver. Stitch like pain in right side under ribs can be associated with any of these organs and there are a number of possible causes that can cause stitch like pain in right side under ribs.
What are the causes, treatment, how fatal or serious can be the cause will be answered in the article below?
Continue reading the article below.
Contents discussed in the article:
Causes of stitch like pain in right side under ribs:
Gastrointestinal issues:
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease):GERD as the term suggests is a reflux disease in which the acid travels back to the esophagus and results in burning sensation and pain. GERD can be caused or triggered by a number of factors which includes: oily or fried foods, spicy foods, stress, etc. and results into some symptoms which include:
- Nausea
- Burning pain
- Bad breath
- Bloating
- Unpleasant taste in mouth
- Recurrent cough
- Hiccups
The symptoms can be treated by maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoiding foods that trigger your acidity, maintaining sleep hygiene and maintaining stress. in addition to this, anti-acids and proton pump inhibitors are a source of great relief for the patient.
- Indigestion: Indigestion or dyspepsia is a discomfort in the upper abdomen and can be caused due to a number of underlying causes or can be on its own. Indigestion can be caused by IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), acidity or some other gastrointestinal issues.
Not all experience same symptoms of indigestion, every person has different way of manifesting this condition. Even though you can have many different symptoms, some of them include:
- Bloating
- Pain in abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fullness too soon after eating
You do not need to worry about indigestion if your symptoms are mild, but contact your doctor in case you experience:
- Weight loss that is not intentional.
- Vomiting that does not stop.
- Blood traces in vomiting.
- Black stools.
- Inability to swallow properly (condition that worsens with time).
- Weakness.
- Breathlessness.
- Chest pain.
- Kidney issues: Any issue in kidney including kidney stones and kidney infection, and in worst case scenario kidney cancer can cause stitch like pain in right side under ribs. Kidney stones and infections are caused by a number of factors and results in a number of manifestations which includes:
Kidney stones:
- Severe pain also called as renal colic
- Painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- No able to urinate
- Frequent urination
Kidney infection:
- Pain in the inguinal area
- Pain in back and sides of back or flanks
- Fever
- Chills
- Frequent urination
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Foul smelling urine
- Change in the color of urine
- Gallstones: Gallbladder is an organ that is located near liver and has a function of storing the bile. Sometimes stones are formed inside the gallbladder and mostly made of cholesterol. Overweight or obese patients are found to be at risk of developing gallstones, particularly with people having high waist circumference.
Symptoms caused by gallstones, if caused:
- Sharp pain lasting for hours
- Fever
- Chills
- Light colored stools
- Yellow colored skin and mucosal surfaces
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Liver abscess: Liver is the largest gland and has a number of functions like detoxification, storage of glucose, etc. Liver abscess or hepatic or pyogenic abscess is a pus in the liver. Pus is formed due to infections caused by a number of organisms like viruses, bacteria, parasites etc. It was mostly seen in people of forty to fifty years of age (along with the complication of appendicitis), but is now seen in people of sixty to seventy years of age (because of better diagnosis and not delaying the antibiotic treatment).
Liver abscess can result in stitch like pain in right side under ribs and tenderness and in addition to this can result in a number of other symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Loss of weight
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Treatment involves to drain the pus and antibiotics may be helpful.
- Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is typically the inflammation of pancreas and can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis is mostly caused by gallstones (solid clump of bile). In chronic pancreatitis many factors, including hypercalcemia or high level of calcium in your blood, might be involved. Pancreatitis can result in pain in the center of abdomen, right upper quadrant or left upper quadrant.
Pancreatitis can be caused by gallstones, alcohol overuse etc.
Symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Sharp pain or steady pain in abdomen
Mild pancreatitis can go away within a short span of time and in severe cases can lead to hospitalization. Visit your doctor in case you experience above mentioned symptoms. Your doctor will order blood tests, and imaging tests (MRI, CT, or ultrasound) for diagnosis.
- Pre-eclampsia: Pre-eclampsia is a complication seen in some percentage of pregnancies. It can arise in between 20weeks of gestation to 6 weeks after parturition or delivery. Pre-eclampsia is caused by rise in blood pressure, suddenly and results in swelling of face, hands and feet.
Some other manifestations:
- Pain in right side
- Headache
- Vision changes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Women diagnosed with any symptom of pre-eclampsia should be referred for immediate medical care as the condition can become severe if left untreated.
- Lung issues or conditions: Lung issues or conditions may include pneumonia or pleurisy can cause stitch like pain in right side under ribs. Pleurisy is caused by inflammation of linings of lungs and when you breathe deeply it creates stitch like pain in right side under ribs. Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation of lungs and is caused by a number of organisms like bacteria or virus. Pneumonia can be mild or severe, even life-threatening. Certain manifestations of pneumonia include:
- Sharp pain in chest
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage that attaches rib to the sternum is called as costochondritis. Costochondritis can have a number of causes including trauma, infection, or something unknown. The pain is sharp and acute and gets worse with breathing deeply. If the cause is infection, symptoms like fever, cough and chills can be associated with it.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD is a condition in which there is inflammation of small and large intestines. IBD is classified into two types: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease affects any part of your digestive tract (or your gastrointestinal tract), whereas ulcerative colitis affects your colon and rectum mostly. It has variety of symptoms which includes:
- Blood in stools
- Pain in abdomen
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Unexplained loss of weight
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is basically based on history and physical examination. History involves asking questions about the chief complaint and involves history of infections, trauma, stones and all related issues that leads to the diagnosis. Physical examination involves keenly examining chest, abdomen and other parts to get the clue for diagnosis. Imaging and running blood tests, urine analysis, stool examination etc. Imaging includes endoscopy, colonoscopy, Ct scans etc. all can lead to a definitive and better diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment is based on diagnosis. Treatment involves from a simple conservative treatment to medications and hospitalization. Treatment involves eating high fiber diet, proton pump inhibitors, stool softeners etc.
Prevention
Prevention can be made by simple steps which include:
Eating a healthy diet
Quitting smoking
Sleeping on time
Managing stress
Staying hydrated
When to see a doctor
Stitch like pain in right side under ribs does not always have a serious cause but if you notice any of the following symptoms consult nearby medical emergency or doctor:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Unable to eat or drink properly
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Coughing up blood
- Black colored stools or bloody stools
- Fever along with yellowing of muco-cutaneous surfaces
Takeaway
Pain that stays for long time is not normal at all, and medical care should be sought for such cases. Because of what organs are present in the area, stitch like pain in right side under ribs might require you to visit your doctor and get a consultation.
Good thing is that all these causes are treatable and you will get better with proper medical care. Focus on your symptoms, visit your doctor in case you experience unusual heart palpitations, chest pain, inability to swallow breathlessness, confusion and many more symptoms.
The thought that your condition is treatable should be enough for you to relax, but not be thoughtless, about your condition.