Suggest Treatment For Pain Below Ribs

Posted on Wed, 5 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 5 Nov 2014 Answered on

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor,
Am having a pain just below my left rib. It occurs quite regularly - around once in 2 weeks. The pain prolongs for around 15 seconds. During the pain I find a little bit difficult to breathe. Once the pain goes away, I stretch my chest a bit and I become normal. But this thing occurs quite often. So could you please help me out??

I don't have any allergies for medicines. I used to have similar pain in my neck. I have a long neck and once I strain it, I used to get pain. But that problem is not there any more.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Due to compression of nerve there can be pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case.
Due to compression of nerve root there can be pain in your rib.
This can be related to smoking also. I would like to know do you smoke?
Due to occlusion of vessels are common in smokers leading to pain.

I will advise you to do MRI thoracic spine, HRCT [CHEST] and EMG- NCV [nerve conduction study] consulting your doctor.
For these symptoms analgesic and neurotropic medication can be started.
Till time, avoid lifting weights, you can consult physiotherapist for help.
Physiotherapy like ultrasound and interferential therapy will give quick relief.
I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju