Pain under the left rib cage is not always a sign of something serious. The pain may be due to muscle injury, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal diseases, or kidney stones. See a healthcare provider for recurrent, persistent, or severe pain under the left rib cage.1234

What Organs Are Under the Left Rib Cage? 

Knowing which organs are near your left rib cage (the left hypochondrium or left hypochondriac region) can help you and your healthcare provider identify the cause of your pain.5

• Spleen: Sits just below the left rib cage, the spleen filters blood and supports immune function to help fight infections.6 
• Stomach: This large, muscular organ plays a key role in digestion. The upper portion of the stomach sits under the left rib cage.7 
• Pancreas: Stretches horizontally across the abdomen and is located behind the stomach. It produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin.8
• Left kidney: One of two bean-shaped organs on either side of the spine, the left kidney sits behind the stomach, slightly above the waistline. It filters waste products from the blood, produces urine, and makes hormones that control blood pressure and stimulate red blood cell production.9 
• Colon (large intestine): The descending colon is part of the large intestine and runs down the left side of the abdomen. It absorbs water from partially digested food and moves waste down to the rectum for excretion.1011

This area also contains muscles, blood vessels, and nerves that support and protect these organs.5 

What Causes Pain Under Your Left Rib Cage?

There are several possible causes of pain beneath the left rib cage, ranging from mild to serious.

Digestive Conditions 

Acute (short-term) digestive concerns and chronic (long-term) digestive disorders are common causes of pain under the left rib cage. These include: 

• Gas: Eating too quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, or consuming "gassy" foods (like beans and cabbage) can cause gas buildup in the stomach or intestines, causing sharp or cramping pain, belching (burping), bloating, and flatulence (farting).12
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This condition causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus (food pipe), leading to heartburn and chest pain that can radiate to the left rib cage.13
• Constipation: Having three or fewer bowel movements weekly causes stool to build up in the large intestine (colon). Depending on the severity of constipation, you may feel cramping pain, which can extend to the left side under the ribs.14 
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This digestive disorder affects the large intestine and causes abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea and constipation.1516
• Ulcerative colitis (UC): This is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause pain in the upper left side of the abdomen when ulcers (open sores) in the descending colon get inflamed.1718 

• Gastritis: This inflammation of the stomach lining can cause pain in the upper left side of the body under the ribs. Other symptoms include indigestion, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling full too soon, and bloating.1920
• Peptic ulcers: A peptic ulcer is an open sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Peptic ulcers can cause a dull or burning pain in the upper abdomen just below the rib cage that comes and goes.21 

Costochondritis 

Costochondritis is inflammation of the costal cartilage, a thick, flexible tissue that connects the ribs to the breastbone.22

Pain from costochondritis often feels sharp and can radiate toward the back or down below the ribs in the stomach area.

The pain can worsen with movement, deep breathing, coughing, and sneezing. It may also feel tender when you press on your ribs.2223

Spleen Enlargement or Rupture 

The spleen is tucked behind the rib cage on the left side. An enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) can cause dull, aching pain under the left rib cage.

Some people also feel full after eating only small amounts of food or may experience pain radiating to the left shoulder.2425 

Pancreatitis 

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It develops when digestive enzymes damage the pancreas, usually due to gallstones or excessive alcohol consumption.262

Acute pancreatitis causes severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back. Other symptoms include fever, nausea and vomiting, a rapid heart rate, and a tender or swollen left upper abdomen.2728

Kidney Stones 

Kidney stones are hard deposits in the kidneys that form when there are high amounts of calcium oxalate or uric acid in your urine.

Dehydration, high sugar or salt consumption, and too much or too little exercise can cause these stones.29 

Kidney stone pain is often sharp or stabbing, beginning in the back or side and radiating to the groin. It typically resolves once the kidney stone passes through the urinary tract and leaves the body.30 

Musculoskeletal Causes 

Injuries or inflammation of the left ribs, muscles, tendons, or ligaments can cause pain in the ribs and the connecting muscles. These conditions include: 

• Slipping rib syndrome: This rare condition occurs when the ligaments that hold the lower ribs in place weaken, allowing them to move out of position and causing pain.31
• Rib fracture: A broken rib on the left side can cause pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing. It requires prompt medical attention; a fractured rib can sometimes puncture or damage the lungs.32
• Intercostal muscle strain: The intercostal muscles are located in the spaces between the ribs, helping move the ribs when you breathe.33 Overusing or overstretching these muscles can cause a strain (pulled muscle), which can feel painful and tender.34

Other Potential Causes

Other possible causes of pain under or beneath the left rib cage include: 

• Heart attack: A heart attack—when blood flow to the heart is blocked—can cause intense squeezing chest pain or pressure that radiates to the abdomen, jaw, arms, neck, or shoulders.35
• Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleura) can cause dull, achy, or burning pain under the ribs that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing.361
• Pneumonia: Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs, leading to symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, and cough. Pneumonia that affects the lower lobes of the left lung can especially cause pain under the left rib.37 
• Aortic aneurysm: An aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the wall of the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the chest and torso. An aortic aneurysm can cause sharp, sudden chest, back, or side pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.38 
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung): Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks out of the lungs and into the space between the lung and chest wall. Pressure on the lungs makes it hard for them to expand, leading to sharp chest pain that can radiate to the ribs, shortness of breath, and fatigue.39 

When To See a Doctor

It's a good idea to see a healthcare provider for pain that lasts more than a few days, is severe, worsens, or affects your daily activities. 

You should also see a healthcare provider if you experience lower rib pain with any of the following symptoms:3122 

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Sharp pain when breathing
• Fever

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience pain under the left rib cage and any of the following symptoms:31 

• Sudden squeezing, tightening, crushing pain, or pressure in your chest 
• Pain that radiates (spreads) to your left arm, jaw, or between your shoulder blades
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness

How Is It Diagnosed?

To diagnose the cause of pain under the left rib cage, a healthcare provider will review your medical history and perform a physical examination.

They will ask when the pain started, which activities worsen or relieve it, and whether you have other symptoms.3122 

During the physical exam, your provider will listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope and feel your abdomen to check for an enlarged spleen. They will also examine your ribs and back for swelling and redness.2440

Additional Tests

Your provider may order additional tests to help identify the cause of the pain. These tests may include: 

• Blood tests: Measure your blood oxygen level and check for infection, inflammation markers, or heart problems354140 
• Imaging tests: Use methods like ultrasounds, chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to help visualize the organs and supporting structures in the chest and abdomen to identify abnormalities or injuries4243 
• Endoscopy: Involves using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end to examine the inside of your upper digestive tract, including the stomach and esophagus, to look for inflammation, ulcers, and other abnormalities4441 
• Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy: Uses a flexible tube with a camera to view the rectum and large intestine to look for signs of inflammation, ulceration, or other signs of concern45
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Records the heart's electrical activity to evaluate heart function and diagnose a heart attack or other heart problems46

How Do You Treat It?

Treatment for pain under the left rib cage depends on the underlying cause.

Home Remedies 

Self-care measures at home can help relieve some causes of pain under the left rib cage. You can: 

• Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Advil (ibuprofen) to relieve pain and inflammation.47
• Get rest to allow your body to heal, especially after a muscle strain or injury.34
• Try gentle stretches to relieve muscle pain and improve flexibility.3422
• Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling or a heating pad to increase blood flow to the painful area.3448
• Avoid acidic, spicy, and high-fat foods if your pain is due to a digestive disorder.49 

Medical Treatments 

Many conditions that cause pain under the left rib cage require medical treatment. Some conditions require only short-term treatment, while others require ongoing management.