Constant back pain under left rib cage is a dilemma for all the patients suffering from it. As a matter of fact, Doctors are most likely to view any kind of constant pain very seriously and treat it as serious disorder or disease. Rib cage is structure formed by thoracic vertebrae and ribs, sternum-breastbone, and the costal cartilages-that attach the ribs to the sternum. Cage as a common term means a large enclosure of open work that houses animals. Rib cage is thus thought to resemble an animal cage and it houses or holds the largest animal heart and lung. Medically rib cage is also called as thoracic cage.
In the chest-thorax region, nerves spring out from the spine and divide into two parts. The first part goes to just under the skin and further sends fibers to the surface and also travels around half way around the chest. This is a probable reason for the feeling of pain in the back to the side of the chest. The second part travels to the bottom of the rib around the sternum bone, and also surfaces to the skin and then goes back towards the side on the same level as the first nerve. Rib cage pain can be any pain or discomfort in the area of the ribs.
Common causes could be - Cracked or fractured rib, Costochondritis (inflammation of cartilage near the breastbone, Osteoporosis, and Pleurisy. If you suffer from such problems of rib pain, it is advisable to get the area x-rayed so as to eliminate fractured ribs. In the event of fractured ribs an immediate surgery is warranted. If the pain is of longer duration more than 3 months it is also necessary to go for an MRI or CT Scan and consult health care professional to rule out the possibilities of any nerve damage, tumor or cancer.
Swelling of the cartilage in between the ribs and breast bone can cause pain around the back and also down the arms. The pain can be such so as to give out an immediate impression that you were having a heart attack or lung problems. Although for a short duration it can be very painful and uncomfortable during the period it lasts.
There are instances when constant back pain under left rib cage makes you visit a specialist in gastroenterology since the problem starts with your stomach. Your stomach feels empty and you feel that a big growl wants to come out, nothing that you end to eat makes it better, you often get heart burn and a pain in the left side underneath rib cage. Routine blood pathology should be conducted to eliminate any infection of the intestine or pancreas. Digestive, gastro and bowel disorders must be ruled out by seeking medical advice. Such symptoms might make you start wondering that it is due to twisted bowel, you might have to go for a check up of colon.
The constant pain under the left rib cage can be very uncomfortable for pregnant women specially those in advanced stages. These women experience extreme pain in the area where the breast meets the ribcage. The pain results in extreme trauma and makes sleeping difficult.
