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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain Under Ribs?

I have been getting sharp pains under my ribs on both sides, not at the same time. i have been having these for 2 years now. The first time I had one under my left side I thought I was having a heart attack. they actually take my breath away. They are vary painful. I am 68 years old 6ft 2 They canin tall and weigh 254 lbs.
Wed, 18 Feb 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Sharp pain under the ribs on both sides is suspicious of pleural pain rather than cardiac pain.
However, an assessment of cardiovascular system is required to rule out any cardiac pathology.
An X-ray of chest is required to assess the status of lung fields.
In addition, an ultrasound of chest is also required to look for any kind of effusion or fluid collection in the pleural cavity.
Effusion in pleural cavity can lead to pleurisy of inflammation of pleura and hence the pain.
Consult your physician for clinical assessment and relevant investigations and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Causes Pain Under Ribs?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Sharp pain under the ribs on both sides is suspicious of pleural pain rather than cardiac pain. However, an assessment of cardiovascular system is required to rule out any cardiac pathology. An X-ray of chest is required to assess the status of lung fields. In addition, an ultrasound of chest is also required to look for any kind of effusion or fluid collection in the pleural cavity. Effusion in pleural cavity can lead to pleurisy of inflammation of pleura and hence the pain. Consult your physician for clinical assessment and relevant investigations and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri