What Causes Pain Below Rig Cage With Breathing Difficulty?

Posted on Wed, 9 Dec 2015

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

Wed, 9 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : For the past 8 hours my sons had a Pain directly beneath the rib cage. Not the bones. He can't breath in completely. Hurts when eating.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Take him to ER, clinical exam and investigations.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short.
Noted that your son has pain directly beneath the rib cage for more than hours, not the bones, can not breath in completely and hurts when eating.

May I please know a few more details:
- Age of your son.
- Any associated fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, change in bowel habits?
- Which side - right or left?
- Any reference to the back?
- Any other information you would like to share?

If the pain is on the right side, the most common causes are:
Liver inflammation
Gall bladder inflammation
Gastric or duodenal ulcer with esophagitis
Pain from the lower lung and pleura.
Very rarely cardiac

For diagnosis the following tests are a must:
ECG to stat with.
X-ray chest
Ultrasonography
Tests of blood, urine and stool
Clinical evaluation, examination by a Doctor
Take him to the E.R. ASAP

I hope this answer helps your son to get an early diagnosis and proper treatment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar