· The most obvious causes of pain in that area can be orthopedic-related, such as a muscle strain or bruised or broken ribs, but there are conditions linked to the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and even the skin that can also lead to painunder the rightribcage.
· Know when you should see a doctor to get the right help. The most common causes of pain under the rightribs are heartburn or a strained rib, but it can also originate from organs such as the liver, gallbladder, stomach, or kidney. If it’s a muscle strain, it usually feels better in a few days.
Crucially, suddensharppain in the RUQ can be a sign that something is wrong. Most commonly, especially if the pain is excruciating, happens after you eat a large meal or lasts a long time, you may have developed gallstones.
· Experiencingpainunderrightribcage? Discover the possible causes—from liver and gallbladder issues to digestive and musculoskeletal conditions—plus symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and when to seek medical help.
The right upper quadrant of the abdomen contains bones, muscles, organs and other tissues. The ribs are the bony structure that makes up the thorax, or the region of the body between the neck and the abdomen, Dr. John Vasudevan, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at University of Pennsylvania, tells TODAY.com. The rib cage’...See full list on today.comIn most cases, a random, minor ache or pain will go away on its own, and it isn’t something to worry about, the experts say. However, if the pain becomes severe, persistent or it’s accompanied by other symptoms like a fever, it may be time to seek medical attention. In any case, heed this advice: “If the pain is keeping you from working or just enj...See full list on today.comOften, a sudden ache on the right side under the ribs is caused by a strained or pulled muscle. This includes the intercostal muscles between the ribs, the diaphragm, or the oblique abdominal muscles, Vasudevan explains. Strained or pulled muscles in this part of the body are typically caused by overuse injuries or from twisting and swinging motion...See full list on today.comSide and stomach sleepers, take note. Spending the entire night lying on your right side or in an odd position can certainly cause your right ribs to ache the following day, the experts note. “Sometimes a pain under the rib is nothing more than you slept wrong,” Dr. Gregory Cooper, a gastroenterologist at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical ...See full list on today.comSometimes, right rib pain can be caused by a bruise to the rib bones, the experts note. These typically occur after some type of trauma, such as falling or getting hit in the chest or side during sports, for example, Vasudevan explains. A bruised rib may also be caused by severe coughing. “A (bone bruise) is more common than a full-on fracture. ......See full list on today.comIf the right rib pain doesn't get worse with exertion and there’s no obvious signs of injury, it could potentially be a sign of a problem with your internal organs in that part of the body, says Vasudevan. The first one that comes to mind for many people is the liver, which is one of the most important organs in the body. The liver is a large, foot...See full list on today.comPain in this part of the body may be related to the gallbladder, a small, pear-shaped organ located on the right side of your body, beneath the liver. It acts as a reservoir for bile, says Murray, which is produced in the liver and released by the gallbladder into the small intestines to aid digestion. There’s a host of conditions that can plague t...See full list on today.comPain on the upper right side can also be a sign of a kidney issue. We have two kidneys, one on either side of the body, and the right kidney is situated just under the liver. The kidneys remove waste and excess fluid from the body and produce urine, per the Mayo Clinic. Something as simple as dehydration can sometimes cause right kidney pain. Kidne...See full list on today.comTrapped gas in the intestinescan be surprisingly painful. The large intestine has two points under the rib cage where it bends, and the right-sided bend is called the hepatic flexure, according to the experts. When excess gas from digestion or swallowing air isn’t moving through your system, it can accumulate in this part of the digestive tract. Th...See full list on today.comA common culprit of right-sided rib pain is gastrointestinal problems, such as indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If the pain is worsened by eating or fasting, this could indicate that it’s related to the upper digestive system, says Murray. “In the duodenum, you can get pain in that area from ulcers, or from gastritis and stom...See full list on today.comJul 9, 2025 · Gallstones, hepatitis, pneumonia, muscular strain, or trapped gas are common culprits. Severe, spreading, or persistent pain—especially with fever, jaundice, shortness of breath, or trauma—needs urgent medical attention. · Sharpacheunderneath the appropriate ribcage might be alarming and is commonly an indication of an underlying medical problem. Understanding the potential causes, related signs, and remedy choices is essential for correct administration.
· Gallstones, hepatitis, pneumonia, muscular strain, or trapped gas are common culprits. Severe, spreading, or persistent pain—especially with fever, jaundice, shortness of breath, or trauma—needs urgent medical attention.
· Sharpacheunderneath the appropriate ribcage might be alarming and is commonly an indication of an underlying medical problem. Understanding the potential causes, related signs, and remedy choices is essential for correct administration.
