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Could My Intermittent Lower Rib Pain Be Related To Smoking, Even After Quitting?
Hi, Smoked for 20years...am 38yrs old. Have had pain in my lower half of my ribs sometimes more toward the middle of them both like on the inside of ribs..was on and off..now constant more when sitting...havent Smoked for 7 days it is less but still coming and going. Had mri checked lungs 3 months ago they said I am all good there.
posted on
Fri, 11 Aug 2023
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 10 Aug 2025
Answered on
Mon, 1 Sep 2025
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Yes, your intermittent lower rib pain could be related to the long history of smoking, even after quitting. It’s also possible it’s coming from musculoskeletal, digestive, or nerve-related causes rather than your lungs directly as your lung MRI was clear. Even though you’ve quit, the tissues and nerves in your chest wall can stay sensitive for weeks or months.
Other causes of your symptoms may be costochondritis, digestive issues like a smoking history raises risk for acid-related gastric irritation. Improvement of symptoms 7 days without smoking suggests inflammation and irritation is reducing. You are encouraged to do gentle stretching exercises and deep breathing to reduce lower rib pain naturally.
Do not sit for long hours. Always sit on a straight-backed chair. Change positions often. This will help to reduce compression of the ribs and nerve irritation. You can take NSAIDs, one stat after food if there is pain. If there is persistent discomfort then get clinically examined by a GP, you will need to go through certain screening tests so that you can be treated at the earliest.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
Yes, your intermittent lower rib pain could be related to the long history of smoking, even after quitting. It’s also possible it’s coming from musculoskeletal, digestive, or nerve-related causes rather than your lungs directly as your lung MRI was clear. Even though you’ve quit, the tissues and nerves in your chest wall can stay sensitive for weeks or months.
Other causes of your symptoms may be costochondritis, digestive issues like a smoking history raises risk for acid-related gastric irritation. Improvement of symptoms 7 days without smoking suggests inflammation and irritation is reducing. You are encouraged to do gentle stretching exercises and deep breathing to reduce lower rib pain naturally.
Do not sit for long hours. Always sit on a straight-backed chair. Change positions often. This will help to reduce compression of the ribs and nerve irritation. You can take NSAIDs, one stat after food if there is pain. If there is persistent discomfort then get clinically examined by a GP, you will need to go through certain screening tests so that you can be treated at the earliest.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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