Ask a doctor - What causes stomach pain under the rib cage on both sides?

Q. What causes stomach pain under the rib cage on both sides?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

Stomach pain under the rib cage on both sides can be caused by a number of issues. The most common cause is gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine that’s usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms of this condition include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever. Other potential causes of pain under the rib cage on both sides include digestive problems such as constipation or lactose intolerance; liver-related issues such as hepatitis B; kidney stones; endometriosis; gallstones; pancreatitis; and intestinal obstruction. Certain medications may also cause abdominal discomfort in this area due to their side effects, particularly if they are not taken properly according to instructions given by your doctor.

It is important to note that any kind of sharp pains in the area should always be investigated further as it could indicate signs associated with more serious underlying medical conditions such as appendicitis or colon cancer. If you have severe abdominal pain and/or cannot find relief after several days then you should see your doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment recommendation.