What can hurt in the right side under the ribs of a child? Symptoms of pain in young children. Why does the left side under the ribs hurt?

In each such case, you need to consult a pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, or surgeon as quickly as possible.

In order to correctly navigate the symptoms of possible diseases and maintain the necessary composure, parents need to know why the child’s right side hurts under the ribs.

When you urgently need medical help

If you have pain in the right side under the ribs, you should seek help from a specialist.

Diagnosis of abdominal pain in a child is the prerogative of a specialist. Parents should fully assist the physician by accurately describing visible symptoms.

Depending on the age of the child, diagnosing abdominal pain has its own characteristics. So, for example, an infant and a toddler who cannot speak, under the age of about 2 years, is unlikely to be able to clearly understand what and where it hurts.

The only thing his parents will have to focus on is desperate crying, bending of his legs towards his stomach, refusal to eat, unusual stool, and rising temperature.

An older child can be asked to show the place of concentration pain, offer to describe her character. In all cases, the following causes of pain in the right side under the ribs on the right are distinguished:

Symptoms indicating urgent medical attention:

  1. Severe cutting pain in right side;
  2. The child is inactive, constantly takes a forced position - lies on his side, legs bent;
  3. Muscles abdominal wall extremely tense;
  4. Nausea and vomiting appear;
  5. The pain is accompanied by diarrhea, unusual-looking stools;
  6. The child is excited or, conversely, unusually lethargic;
  7. Hypo- or hyperthermia is noted;
  8. The baby is pale and feels unusually weak.

What you can and cannot do for pain in the right hypochondrium

It is strictly forbidden to press on the area of ​​acute pain.

While waiting for the doctor, the only thing you can do on your own to help the child is to put him to bed and ensure peace.

Any other manipulations, even those dictated by the best intentions, can worsen the child’s condition and lead to unpredictable consequences. What not to do if you have abdominal pain:

  • Applying a heating pad to a sore spot can make it worse inflammatory process and create a danger of peritonitis;
  • Giving an enema - the consequences are the same as in the previous paragraph;
  • Offer food and drink until the doctor's examination - if the child is about to surgery under anesthesia, food and liquid in the stomach will cause vomiting;
  • Give to a child medications: analgesics, laxatives, probiotics, antispasmodics - under the influence of drugs, the bright symptoms will be smoothed out, the doctor will not be able to make the correct diagnosis;
  • Press on the area of ​​acute pain - in case of inflammation of the appendix, the intestinal appendix may burst and create a risk of peritonitis.

While waiting for the doctor, you should try to maintain external calm and reassure the anxious child, so as not to aggravate the problem with a stressful situation.

Possible causes of abdominal pain on the right under the ribs

Call such discomfort Children can have a variety of pathologies. The pain is accompanied by additional symptoms, which, by carefully analyzing, the doctor can accurately diagnose the disease.

Inflammation of the gallbladder and dysfunction

A bitter taste in the mouth indicates inflammation of the gallbladder.

Pain in the right side in children may be a sign of biliary dyskinesia (excessive or insufficient contraction), angiocholitis (inflammation of the biliary tract), cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).

Pain due to pathologies of the gallbladder can be either dull or quite intense, radiating to the area of ​​the right shoulder. They are accompanied by symptoms such as:

  1. Lack of appetite;
  2. Nausea;
  3. Bitter taste and dry mouth;
  4. Pale skin during attacks of gallbladder colic;
  5. Alternating constipation and diarrhea;
  6. The feces are the color of light clay;
  7. Headache.

A violation of the diet (excess of sweets, excessively fried or fatty food), excess physical activity. Gallbladder pathologies develop gradually.

After the release of bile, which was preceded by pain from a full gallbladder, loose stool dark brown. This color of stool is characteristic of ejection large quantity bile.

After such an attack, pain is not felt for some time until the next attack. For gallbladder pathologies, it is recommended to do an ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder parenchyma, take a biochemical blood test, and examine the condition of the biliary tract. It is recommended to correct the child’s diet by excluding the following foods:

  • canned products,
  • fatty, smoked, salty dishes,
  • sweets,
  • carbonated drinks,
  • cocoa, chocolate.

Exacerbations of the disease must be treated in a hospital, with bed rest and a strict diet, and tubeless drainage of the duodenum.

Acute appendicitis

Pain in the right abdomen may indicate an attack of appendicitis.

Pain in the upper right abdomen can be triggered by an attack of appendicitis, which in initial stage can cause characteristic symptoms not at all at the site of inflammation.

The condition of children during an attack of appendicitis deteriorates much faster than that of adults, so the main thing is to quickly deliver the child to the hospital. Signs of appendicitis:

  1. The child strives to take a forced position, turning on his right side;
  2. The pain begins to appear in the navel area, then it moves to the right, radiating under the ribs, then spreads throughout the abdomen, and can “radiate” to the legs or arms;
  3. The child is lethargic or irritable;
  4. There is a slight increase in temperature;
  5. There is diarrhea;
  6. Nausea is felt, in some cases accompanied by vomiting.

Even if at least a few symptoms from the picture described above appear, this is a reason to urgently seek medical help.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is damage to the liver by viruses.

Damage to the liver by viruses, toxic substances during poisoning, autoimmune pathologies may cause pain in the right hypochondrium, radiating to the abdomen.

The pain syndrome in a child is complemented by yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes, weakness, slight increase temperature.

Having noted such manifestations, you should immediately show the child to a pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.

Diseases of the stomach or intestines

Pain in the right half of the abdomen 1-2 hours after eating can be a symptom of gastritis and even stomach ulcers in children. These diseases are accompanied by such symptoms as alternating constipation and diarrhea, sour belching, bad taste in the mouth, decreased appetite.

Psychogenic pain

Children with a fine mental organization can take advantage of their situation by complaining of abdominal pain, including right side.

The reason for this may be the desire to get some advantages, not to go to school or kindergarten, attracting the attention of loved ones. Attacks of pain look so organic that subsequently the child himself begins to experience them. Outside of a traumatic situation, pain is usually not felt.

Regardless of what symptoms accompany pain in the right half of the abdomen, you need to consult a doctor as quickly as possible without self-medicating.

For information about what hurts in the right hypochondrium, watch the video:

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Pain under the ribs in a child: what’s the matter?

The causes of pain in the subcostal region in children vary. Depending on the type and location, it may indicate various diseases. Therefore, if pain periodically occurs under the ribs in a child, you cannot ignore them; you should visit a pediatrician. A timely visit to the doctor can relieve many health problems. Unfortunately, many mothers consider such symptoms not dangerous, especially if the pain occurs rarely, and let the situation take its course. To prevent this from happening, parents need to know what they mean different types pain under the ribs in children.

In order to know what subcostal pain on the left side signals, you need to study the location of the internal organs in this part of the body. On the left are the pancreas, spleen, left parts of the stomach and diaphragm, left lung and heart. Most often, children cannot describe what kind of pain it is: sharp, cutting, dull or aching, so you need to pay attention to its intensity - strong or not strong.

Severe pain may indicate the following troubles:

  1. Spleen contusion. This organ is as close as possible to the skin, so it is most susceptible to damage during falls or collisions. If the pain gradually subsides (within minutes), there is nothing to worry about; you can apply cold to the bruised area and make sure that the child behaves calmly for a while. Read with him, watch a family movie, or play games. Board games. In case of severe pain for a long time, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as there may be a tear or even rupture of the spleen.
  2. An attack of pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas can occur due to malnutrition, fast food abuse, or due to a genetic predisposition. In any case, you need to stop the attack with antispasmodics and then consult a doctor. Sometimes the pain can be so severe that you have to call ambulance. Pancreatitis is considered an “adult” disease, but in last years his age has decreased significantly due to environmental deterioration and malnutrition in children.
  3. Gastritis. During an exacerbation of gastritis, severe pain may occur on the left side under the ribs, especially on an empty stomach.

Weakly expressed pain syndrome on the left side of the hypochondrium can occur with inflammation of the lower part of the left lung; accompanying symptoms are cough and fever that does not subside for several days.

On the right is the liver, gall bladder, right parts of the stomach and diaphragm, appendix and right lung. If a child complains of pain on the right side under the ribs, and at the same time he vomits or feels sick in the near future, then there is a problem with the gallbladder. Often an accompanying symptom is pain in the right arm. The same signs, but with chills and frequent vomiting, indicate cholecystitis, and if the pain radiates to the groin, then cholelithiasis or liver stones are possible. All these diseases are considered serious, therefore, at the first complaint of a child about pain on the right side under the ribs, you should consult a doctor.

Sometimes appendicitis can also give off a dull pain in the right hypochondrium; the pain does not decrease, but with light tapping it intensifies. In this case, you need to call an ambulance.

Pain under the ribs in the iliac fossa

Pain in the middle of the body under the ribs, where the iliac region is located, may be one of the symptoms various diseases. In children, pain in this area sometimes occurs from running quickly or drinking a large sip of water. In this case, you need to ask the child to inhale and exhale deeply several times, and the pain will quickly disappear. In addition, pain may occur after lifting weights or prolonged exercise, especially during the first sessions.

Among the diseases, the symptom of which may be pain under the ribs in the middle, the most common are the following:

  • hernia;
  • gastritis or other stomach diseases;
  • bruise of the abdomen, abdominal cavity;
  • illnesses genitourinary system.

In any case, you need to check the child’s health with a pediatrician and specialists recommended by the pediatrician.

Parents should remember that any disease is easier to cure in its first stages. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to all the child’s complaints about pain under the ribs. Better once again Make sure your child is healthy rather than undergo long-term treatment.

The baby is healthy!

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Pain in the right side under the ribs in a child - why does this symptom occur?

A frequent cause of concern for parents and their visits to a pediatrician is the child’s complaint of pain in the right side under the ribs.

This symptom may accompany the development various diseases with damage to both the digestive tract and other body systems.

Therefore, if persistent and frequent pain in this localization occurs, you should immediately contact a specialist for examination and clarification of the diagnosis with the obligatory determination of the cause of the pain syndrome.

The pain, which is localized in the right side under the ribs, can have a different nature, duration and combination of associated symptoms for different diseases.

In some cases, the localization of pain corresponds to the immediate location of the affected organ:

  • liver;
  • gallbladder;
  • stomach;
  • diaphragm;
  • lower parts of the lungs;
  • abnormally located kidneys or appendix.
  • with damage to the pancreas (girdling pain radiating to the right hypochondrium);
  • diseases duodenum;
  • with intestinal inflammation (enteritis and enterocolitis);
  • for right-sided gynecological diseases (adnexitis, cystic diseases).

The acute nature of the pain is more characteristic of an active inflammatory process, which requires immediate diagnosis

When the pain is aching, not only a subacute or chronic inflammatory process is more often diagnosed, but also functional disorders of the affected organ.

Liver and gallbladder diseases

Most often, pain localized in the right side under the ribs is characteristic of pathology of the liver or biliary tract.

These include:

  • biliary dyskinesia;
  • hepatitis;
  • less commonly, cholecystitis or cholelithiasis.

Biliary dyskinesia

Dumb aching pain in the right hypochondrium are characteristic of biliary dyskinesia of the hypertensive type.

Biliary dyskinesia is a functional disorder of the evacuation function of the gallbladder due to congenital anomalies of the gallbladder (constrictions, sphincter abnormalities) or spasm of its duct and is characterized by stagnation of bile.

This pathology most often occurs in childhood and adolescence and when timely treatment completely cured or controlled.

But with late treatment, this process is complicated by inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).

Pain in the right side under the ribs with hepatitis (acute or chronic inflammation liver) is accompanied by the appearance of additional symptoms:

  • pallor of the skin, and then the development of jaundice of varying degrees of intensity;
  • severe weakness;
  • headaches;
  • loss of body weight;
  • constant nausea;
  • pain in the joints with an increase in temperature to low-grade levels;
  • decreased appetite;
  • itchy skin;
  • Subsequently, darkening of urine (beer color) and discoloration of feces are noted.

The pain syndrome is characterized as constant aching pain with heaviness in the right hypochondrium.

If these symptoms appear in a child, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

It is important to remember that sick children with acute forms hepatitis A are contagious for a long time and require urgent hospitalization and treatment.

With cholecystitis, the pain syndrome intensifies with dietary violations - consumption of fatty and spicy foods, carbonated drinks or alcohol (in adolescents).

The pain may also radiate to right shoulder blade and shoulder and is accompanied by:

  • severe nausea;
  • vomiting;
  • belching bitter;
  • heartburn;
  • skin itching or rash;
  • joint pain;
  • headache and dizziness.

Diseases of the stomach and duodenum

Most often occur in childhood functional disorders stomach, inflammatory or ulcerative lesions of the stomach or duodenum.

The most common functional stomach disorder is stomach spasm.

It is associated with a violation motor function stomach and manifests itself in the form of contraction of its muscles as a result of a decrease in the threshold of excitability on the part of the autonomic nervous system and increased tone vagus nerve. Therefore, in children and adolescents, this condition is also called “nervous gastralgia.”

The clinical picture of gastrospasm is caused by increased motor activity of the stomach or tetanic spasm of the wall muscles and is characterized by sudden occurrence cramping pain V upper sections belly.

Pain does not have a clear relationship with food intake, but in most cases is associated with stress factors.

It is generally accepted that all functional disorders, especially when they recur more often, are the first signs of the initial stages of organic diseases of the stomach, endocrine or nervous system, kidney pathology or helminth infections.

That's why important factor counts timely diagnosis and proper treatment for everyone functional disorders And differential diagnosis somatic diseases.

This pathology is characterized by dull aching pain in the epigastric region (behind the sternum) and in the right hypochondrium, which appear more often on an empty stomach in the morning and/or two hours after eating.

Pain syndrome in most cases is accompanied by:

  • decreased appetite;
  • belching (sour or air);
  • nausea;
  • constipation or diarrhea;
  • general weakness and malaise;
  • irritability.

This disease manifests itself as aching pain two hours after eating.

The child complains of pain in the right hypochondrium with irradiation to the back or right shoulder blade; less often, the pain syndrome has a girdling character.

As with gastritis, this pathology is combined with dyspeptic disorders, belching, heartburn, nausea (less often vomiting), periodic headaches, sweating and general malaise.

Peptic ulcer of the stomach and/or duodenum

Ulcerative defects in the area of ​​the stomach and/or duodenum manifest themselves in the form of periodic aching pain in the right hypochondrium and in the epigastrium.

They are often accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting, especially if ulcerative defect located in the cardiac zone of the stomach.

Additionally, peptic ulcer disease manifests itself:

Also, the pain syndrome in this pathology is accompanied by a disturbance in general well-being - severe weakness, malaise, headaches (usually at night), sleep disturbances, and emotional lability.

Pain syndrome during ulcerative processes in the upper parts of the digestive tract is characterized by periodicity during the day (hunger and night pains), seasonality (absence of pain in the spring-summer period).

Parents need to know that in children, peptic ulcer disease (in 50% of cases) may have an asymptomatic onset with a gradual increase in aching pain in the right hypochondrium with periodic causeless vomiting(stress stomach ulcers in adolescents due to hormonal changes in the body).

Therefore it is necessary to pay Special attention This type of complaint occurs among older schoolchildren and adolescents.

All patients with diseases of the stomach and duodenum who complain of dull aching pain in the right hypochondrium require consultation with a pediatrician or gastroenterologist and additional examination methods:

  • general analysis blood and urine;
  • stool occult blood test (for differential diagnosis erosive forms of gastritis or ulcerative lesions stomach);
  • urease tests;
  • Ultrasound of the digestive tract;
  • fibrogastroscopy;
  • pH – metry;
  • teleendoscopic examination of the stomach and duodenum (if necessary).

Diseases of the right kidney

Dull, aching pain in the right side under the ribs may be a symptom of diseases right kidney at its abnormally high location.

Referred pain is also possible:

  • with severe inflammatory diseases of the right kidney (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis);
  • hereditary or dysmetabolic nephropathies.

Dysmetabolic nephropathies Today they are often found in pediatric practice and are characterized by frequent migrating abdominal pain, quite often localized in the right hypochondrium.

This disease develops as a result of severe metabolic disorders with damage to the interstitial tissue of the kidneys and salt deposition.

In addition, the pathology is often combined with biliary dyskinesia.

Therefore, pain is localized mainly in the right hypochondrium with irradiation to the lower abdomen, periumbilical region and lower back.

Pain syndrome is accompanied by:

  • weakness;
  • lethargy;
  • malaise;
  • pale skin;
  • recurrent joint pain (often at night);
  • dysuric disorders (pain and burning during urination, development of enuresis in children and nocturia);
  • headaches;
  • persistent loss of appetite.

Often, against the background of dysmetabolic nephropathies, they develop inflammatory diseases right kidney:

When aching pain appears in the right hypochondrium, which is combined:

  • with urinary disorders;
  • with general symptoms;
  • with the presence of salts in the urine (sediment after prolonged standing or bad smell urine).

It is necessary to consult a doctor (pediatrician, urologist or nephrologist) to clarify the diagnosis and additional examination (general urinalysis, ultrasound of the kidneys).

Pancreatic diseases

Chronic inflammation of the head of the pancreas is characterized by the appearance of pain in the right hypochondrium with periodic attacks of girdle pain, especially with errors in diet.

They are accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting, which does not bring relief. Also observed:

  • weakness;
  • heaviness in the epigastric region;
  • persistent loss of appetite;
  • belching;
  • rumbling and bloating;
  • flatulence;
  • sweating;
  • a sharp decrease or increase in body temperature;
  • brittle nails and hair;
  • “jams” in the area of ​​the corners of the lips;
  • change in urine color;
  • skin itching.

Right lower lobe pneumonia and/or pleurisy

Inflammation of the lungs in the lower parts on the right is often manifested by aching pain in the right hypochondrium at the site of projection of the affected lower lobe.

In this case, the pain syndrome is accompanied acute onset illness with high fever with malaise, weakness and sweating, which is accompanied by cough and shortness of breath. Most often this pathology occurs in children.

Right-sided diaphragmatic pleurisy (inflammation of the pleural layers that surround the right lung) may be accompanied by:

  • stabbing or aching pain in the right hypochondrium;
  • dry irritating painful cough;
  • severe painful hiccups;
  • increased body temperature;
  • pain when swallowing.

The patient’s forced position is also typical – sitting, leaning forward.

Helminthiasis

Most often, helminthiasis develops in childhood.

The main diseases are ascariasis (infection of the intestines with roundworms), giardiasis (infection with Giardia) and enterobiasis (infection with pinworms).

These diseases are accompanied by:

  • the appearance of pain in the right side under the ribs or in the umbilical area;
  • sleep disorders;
  • decreased appetite;
  • itching of the perianal area;
  • skin rash;
  • grinding teeth.

With giardiasis, blockage may occur bile ducts Giardia and develop jaundice, arthralgia, skin rash, change in urine color and discoloration of stool.

Pain under the ribs in a child: what is the reason?

Any pain in the subcostal area should never be ignored. This is a kind of signal about problems in the body. Depending on the location, pain under the ribs in a child may indicate various diseases. Unfortunately, often the baby is not able to accurately describe the nature of the discomfort he is experiencing. Therefore, you should not “guess from the tea leaves”; urgently seek medical help from a specialist. And if discomfort under the ribs in a child occurs periodically without causing severe pain, do not ignore these symptoms, perhaps children's body a sluggish inflammatory process occurs, which at any moment can develop into a serious disease.

What does pain under the ribs mean depending on their location?

Pain under the ribs on the left side

First of all, it is important to understand which internal organs are located on the right side of the body. This will require minimal knowledge of the anatomy of the human body. So, on the right side of the body there are the heart, left lung, spleen, pancreas, left side diaphragm and stomach. Due to their age, children cannot give a clear description of the nature of the pain, whether it is sharp, cutting, dull or pulling. Therefore, doctors pay attention specifically to the intensity of pain (strong or not strong).

What does severe pain under the left rib mean:

1. Severe pain, especially on an empty stomach, usually occurs with exacerbation of gastritis.

2. If you fall or collide with a heavy object, the spleen is likely to be bruised. The pain from such an injury is quite severe, but usually goes away quite quickly within 15 minutes. A cold compress to the site of the bruise will help relieve the condition. But if the pain doesn't go away long time, be sure to seek medical help.

3. Inflammation of the pancreas, in other words pancreatitis, is considered to be a disease of adults. However, in recent years, children have been diagnosed with this condition more and more often. This is due to the deterioration of the environment and the quality of nutrition of children. Frequent consumption of fast food and poor nutrition negatively affect the proper functioning of the pancreas. An attack of pancreatitis is very dangerous and cannot be avoided without the help of doctors. Sometimes the pain is so severe that you have to call an ambulance.

Mild pain on the left side is often a symptom of inflammation of the lower lobe of the left lung. Here they can serve as companions heat body and cough.

Pain under the ribs on the right side

If a child complains of pain on the right side, this may indicate problems in the right lung, gallbladder, liver, right side of the diaphragm and stomach, as well as appendicitis. Nausea and vomiting in combination with pain under the right rib and in the right arm is nothing more than inflammation of the gallbladder. Also, similar symptoms can occur with cholecystitis. The only difference here is chills and more frequent vomiting.

Stones in the liver and cholelithiasis, in addition to pain in the right hypochondrium, are characterized by painful sensations in the groin.

With inflammation of appendicitis, you may feel Blunt pain on the right side, which does not go away, but only increases with light tapping. In this case, calling an ambulance is mandatory.

Parents often find themselves in situations where their baby suffers from discomfort on the left side for no apparent reason. Pain in a child’s left side can be aching or acute, long-term, or bothersome with attacks.

There are cases when children do not tell their parents about such a symptom, which can lead to severe consequences. Infants and newly born children are simply not able to explain what exactly is bothering them. Therefore, if the child is lethargic, inactive, cries a lot, or curls up, pressing his legs to his chest, you need to call a doctor, or go to the clinic yourself.

If painful sensations are accompanied by a lack of appetite, strong increase fever, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as pallor of the skin, cold perspiration, and weakening of the abdominal pressure, it is necessary to urgently call emergency assistance. Pain in the left side of a child can warn of the formation of dangerous pathological conditions, which can significantly harm the baby’s health.

If a child complains of painful symptoms on the left side, there may be many reasons for this. Only a doctor can find out. Let's look at the most common pathologies that cause this symptom:

  1. . The appendix is ​​located on the right side, but pain can radiate to left side. When some organs in a baby are underdeveloped, especially the omentum, the clinical picture changes somewhat. This leads to a delay in surgical intervention. During this time, ordinary appendicitis manages to become destructive.
  2. . It occurs as an inflammatory process of the gastric mucosa. The disease is characterized by pain localized in the upper abdomen or on the left under the ribs. The age period when pathology most often develops is 5-6 and 10-15 years (periods of active growth). In preschool children, the formation of inflammation is associated with frequent infectious diseases, among teenagers - food from McDonald's, drinks with gas and the presence of negative habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).
  3. Infringement inguinal hernia. The pathological phenomenon occurs in children under two years of age. Manifested by increased sweating and pale skin. The child often feels sick.
  4. Accumulation of feces in (coprostasis). Formed when congenital features body. It often causes intestinal obstruction. Typical symptoms here is pain in the upper or lower abdomen of a spasmodic nature.
  5. Volvulus. It often occurs in newborn babies. Most of them are chubby babies, hyperactive or on alert. artificial feeding. Characteristic symptoms here are severe pain, alternating with calm periods, and fever. During painful attacks, the child begins to cry and draw his legs towards his chest.

To avoid the development of such diseases, parents should closely monitor the behavior and condition of the baby and not neglect scheduled visits to the pediatrician.

Physiological pain

Acute pain often occurs after physical exercise. Especially if the child is not physically prepared in advance. During exercise, blood circulation and energy production are accelerated. Because of this, the body temperature rises. Over time, the baby's muscles and ligaments become stronger, and he tolerates physical activity more easily.

At this moment, two types of painful sensations arise - immediate and delayed. Let's look at them in more detail:

  1. Immediate pain in the lower abdomen is caused by lactic acid produced during increased physical activity. Is negative consequence increased physical activity. When playing sports, the amount of the substance increases, which provokes strong painful discomfort on the left side of a boy or girl. At the same time, this kind of symptom can signal the development of pathology of the genitourinary system. Therefore, there is a need to consult a doctor.
  2. Delayed pain appears after 2-3 days. It occurs when the load increases, or if the child has had a break from sports for a couple of days. Small wounds or tears in muscle fibers cause similar sensations. But the body can react In a similar way due to the onset of the inflammatory process. In this case, it would also be a good idea to check with a pediatrician.

Only the attending physician can accurately diagnose the disease after examining the child, determining the location of the manifestation and the factors that provoke it. Sensations may first appear in the navel area, then radiate to the left. This talks about urological diseases. This includes diseases musculoskeletal system. Here the reason lies in the not yet fully formed growing organism, which is not yet able to cope with the physical activity required of the baby.

Important! To prevent pain in the left side, you need to prepare the body for physical activity: eat right, do exercises every day, and breathing exercises.

When doing physical exercise, painful sensations are sometimes not dangerous. But you still need to play it safe and show the baby to the doctor. After all, when the abdominal muscles, as a result of the load, begin to put pressure on the inflamed organ, pain occurs. Therefore, in case of prolonged discomfort, you need to undergo a full examination so as not to start a developing disease.

Painful sensations in girls over eleven

If a teenage girl complains of acute pain and cramps in the lower abdomen, then this is the body’s preparation for approaching menstruation. The discomfort can be aching or pulling. Girls are able to feel the movement of a blood clot through the pharynx and vagina, especially if they are virgins. Sometimes such a movement can cause acute pain in the lower abdomen as a result of the fact that it is difficult for the clot to penetrate through the hymen.

When the discomfort is severe and does not go away for a long period of time, it is worth visiting a gynecologist. After all, this may indicate problems in the reproductive system or the opening of hemorrhage.

Functional problems in the body that cause pain

Pain in the left side often signals the development of various diseases. After all, many vital organs are located in this zone. Discomfort can indicate both a mild inflammatory process and the formation of oncology. Therefore, it is important to send the child to the clinic in a timely manner and conduct an appropriate examination.

Pathologies of the pancreas and stomach

Painful sensations in the stomach area signal inflammation and destructive processes that are the result of the progression of pancreatitis (manifested by a strong process of inflammation). What to do if a child experiences dull nagging pain accompanied by swelling, necrosis, irritation, as well as peritonitis and palpation of organs? Call an ambulance immediately. Most likely, hospitalization will be required.

Important! Such signs cannot be ignored. Sharp acute pain can cause suppuration, the appearance cystic formations, inflammation of the peritoneum and bleeding.

Spleen diseases

This type of disease develops as a consequence of external and internal trauma to the organ. Painful sensations occur in the lower abdomen and manifest as sharp and sharp spasms. Often the discomfort radiates to the shoulder and shoulder blade. They can intensify during physical activity, or when pressing on the affected area.

The pathology is often accompanied by a decrease blood pressure, trembling of the body, shortness of breath, as well as signs of intoxication of the body (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), lack of blood. The spleen is mainly affected by infections. Damage occurs as a result of the child suffering from sepsis, malaria, typhus, anthrax and other things.

To ease the baby's condition, place him in a horizontal position, or reclining on his left side.

Renal pathologies

Mostly, diseases of paired organs are characterized by pain in the lumbar region, but often radiate to the left side. Symptomatic picture complemented by severe hematuria (blood in the urine), swelling in morning time, greenish color skin, lack of desire to eat, as well as severe headaches, weakness, fever, chills and fatigue.

The causes of such symptoms, accompanied by pain radiating to the left side, are a severe inflammatory process in the kidneys.

Heart muscle diseases

If persistent pain on the left side develops, cardiovascular diseases may also develop. Signal similar symptom capable of defeat coronary vessels, congenital defects or inflammation. The pain is dull, compressive, sharp or cutting in nature. Painful sensations radiating to the left side due to diseases of the heart muscle and its vessels are accompanied by shortness of breath in the child. His breathing quickens. The child may feel a lack of oxygen.

Diseases of the reproductive system

Girls under 6 years of age or older may suffer from pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), the symptoms of which are complemented by high fever, weakness, chills and aching discomfort in the lower back, giving rise to left rib. With painful bowel movements Bladder we can talk about the development of cystitis in growing girls. In a neglected state, blood may appear in the urine. In girls with pain, vulvovaginitis or vulvitis can still be suspected.

Pain on the left side in girls is a symptom of vaginal inflammation. The pathology is expressed by dermatitis, irritation, coli, allergic reaction.

Boys are characterized by the development of phimosis (exposure of the head male genitalia, accumulation of sebaceous sebaceous glands and the formation of the inflammatory process). Premature boys can develop cryptorchidism, which is the failure of the testicle to descend into the scrotum. If hormonal therapy fails, the boy undergoes surgery.

Neuralgia

Why do painful sensations of a sharp and pulling nature occur under the ribs on the left side? This may be the result of progression of intercostal neuralgia. Develops due to irritation or pinching of the intercostal nerve. Localization of discomfort occurs in the chest, abdomen or between the ribs (both left and right).

The symptoms here are quite pronounced: burning, tingling and numbness of the muscles, tension in the back muscles when coughing, sneezing or while laughing or taking a deep breath. Children also experience increased sweating, numbness, and a sharp change from high to low blood pressure, and vice versa.

Broken ribs

Typically, this type of injury is internal. In case of severe damage, it may become damaged skin covering and organs located under the ribs. In such a situation, the baby develops sharp pain, intensifying with inhalation and movements. The child also experiences discomfort in the chest area and painful attacks in the abdominal area. By feeling the damaged area, you can detect a swelling, when pressed the child reacts painfully. The baby needs to be urgently taken to the clinic for full examination and taking special medical measures.

Under what circumstances can you not worry?

In most cases, children do not control the amount of food they eat. Especially if the parents have prepared a lot for the holiday delicious dishes. After overeating, a child often feels. This is quite natural and does not require medical care. After digestion of food, the pain will go away.

If such sensations bother your child after each meal, it is worth reconsidering his regime and diet.

Diagnostic measures

The clinical picture in the first stages of the formation of various diseases is similar. Therefore, if any pathological signs occur, you need to go to the clinic, where they will carry out medical examination experienced doctors, and will diagnose accurate diagnosis, further treatment will be prescribed.

If there is pain on the left side, you need to take the child to a urologist. He will conduct diagnostics using devices, prescribe necessary tests. Girls with severe pain on the left side should be sent to a pediatric gynecologist. The doctor will conduct a visual examination, examine the affected area by palpation, and, if necessary, prescribe a test. lab tests. Additionally, a hardware examination may be required.

Important! If there is constant pain in the left side of the baby when physical activity The student needs to register for group A or B in physical education, adjust the diet, and consult with a specialist.

How to relieve pain

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to identify the exact cause of pain on the left side. It is prohibited to independently treat pathology, especially in children. If the pain is unbearable, you are allowed to take an analgesic and go to the hospital.

After identifying the cause, the doctor prescribes treatment for the baby: conservative or surgical.

Conservative therapy includes taking various medications:

  1. Analgesics. Taken to eliminate pain. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor. Popular among them are Colfarit, Novalgin and others.
  2. Antispasmodics. You can take No-shpa, Spazgan, Baralgin and others for severe pain of a spasmodic nature.
  3. Antibiotics. The drug is selected individually for each patient in the presence of a bacterial infection.
  4. Anti-inflammatory drugs. Nise, Ketorolac and other medications are prescribed for the development of an inflammatory process in internal organs.
  5. Carminatives. Eliminates increased gas formation. Drugs such as Espumisan and Almagel will be useful for children suffering from flatulence and adults with gastrointestinal problems.
  6. Antacindic medications. Can quickly reduce acidity gastric juice in case of gastritis.
  7. Diuretics. Diuretics are prescribed if renal pathologies. Prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Otherwise, the consequences are fraught with the formation of severe complications.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes massage, physiotherapy sessions, chemotherapy or exercise therapy for the child.

Surgical treatment is carried out when a baby’s hernia, malignant or benign tumor, serious gynecological disease or violations anatomical structure organ.

Often additional method is traditional treatment. For gastritis, it is recommended to eat green apples, and for diseases of paired organs, drink special kidney tea. Corn silk will be beneficial for liver pathologies, and an infusion of yarrow, valerian and lily of the valley, rosemary, peppermint will save the heart.

Propolis tincture will help heal the spleen, and foods rich in vitamin E will help improve the functioning of the spleen. reproductive system child.

If your baby is bothered by frequent painful sensations on the left side, they bother him almost constantly, it is worth visiting a doctor who will conduct a full examination. After studying the results, the doctor will prescribe the correct treatment. But to self-medicate a child both after 7 years and in early age, is strictly contraindicated. After all, at first glance, the most harmless medicine can significantly harm a child’s health.

Anton palaznikov

Gastroenterologist, therapist

Work experience more than 7 years.

Professional skills: diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary system.

Discomfort in the chest area may indicate various diseases, with serious consequences or temporary discomfort. If your ribs hurt, it is important to find the original cause and eliminate it. Let's look into this issue.

Pain in the ribs may indicate the development of various diseases

Causes of pain in the ribs

Pain on one or both sides of the chest can be of a different nature (aching, sharp, short-term, paroxysmal, long-lasting). Both diseases of internal organs and injuries of varying degrees and duration can provoke such sensations.

Table “Possible causes of pain in the ribs”

Provoking factors How can they manifest themselves?
Injury to the ribs (, fractures) The pain is intense or aching (depending on the severity of the injury). It is usually painful to touch the injured area; attacks occur even with light pressure. After the blow, a lump may form, which will resolve within 5–7 days (during this time the discomfort will also disappear). Pulsating attacks are characteristic of (they can be determined by palpation)
Intercostal neuralgia is the result of protrusions or intervertebral hernias. The pain between the ribs is shooting in nature. Discomfort may increase when inhaling, as well as when changing body position
Angina pectoris Pressing and squeezing pain is felt in the chest from the inside. Unpleasant feelings can be traced in the ribs on the left, radiating to the neck and left hand. At the same time it changes heartbeat and there is a feeling of fear, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness
Herpes zoster Acute pain can appear on both the right and left sides of the chest
Pathologies respiratory system(bronchitis, pneumonia) Unpleasant symptoms occur when coughing, inhaling and exhaling. The nature of the sensations is paroxysmal, sharp
Digestive system diseases ABOUT cholelithiasis and blockage of the biliary tract is indicated by aching pain on the right side, and an enlarged spleen is indicated by discomfort on the left side
Tietze syndrome or costochondritis The pain spreads to the entire chest and may be accompanied by swelling of the soft tissues (the right or left side protrudes more), and the person develops a fever. Discomfort appears sharply and simultaneously on both sides of the ribs
Pleurisy Symptoms appear in the middle or side of the chest with deep inspiration, coughing and sudden movements
Oncological neoplasms in the ribs The pain is constant and can be aching, stabbing, pulling, occurring on the right or left side (depending on the location of the tumor). Sometimes a lump or ball-like lump can be felt
Lumps in the mammary gland The discomfort is unilateral and occurs in the left or right side. If the cyst is located in the mammary gland, it may hurt not only in the ribs, but also under the breast or in its middle
Increased muscle tone in the thoracic spine Seizures usually occur with sudden movements, deep breaths and bending the body to the sides
Osteochondrosis Most often, the pain has a sharp stabbing nature and occurs on the left side of the rib, under the mammary gland, which resembles cardiac discomfort. At the beginning of the disease, there is occasional clicking in the area of ​​the ribs. Unpleasant symptoms intensify with heavy physical exertion, prolonged stay in one position, hypothermia or sudden body movements
Osteoporosis of the ribs (fragility bone tissue due to calcium deficiency) Attacks occur in the front, back, or side of the chest and gradually intensify as the destruction (destruction) of bone tissue increases
During pregnancy As the weight and size of the fetus increases, the uterus stretches and can put pressure on the ribs, which causes discomfort in the chest and under the mammary glands. Pain is observed in the ribs on the right or left and is short-term in nature

Why ribs hurt in adults cannot be determined only by pain symptom. If you experience any discomfort, it is important to visit a specialist and get examined.

Which doctor should I consult if my ribs hurt?

If you experience unpleasant sensations in the left and right sides when pressing, physical activity or at rest, you need to. The doctor will conduct an examination by palpation of the chest, analyze the patient’s complaints and, if necessary, prescribe a consultation with highly specialized specialists:

Doctors will prescribe the necessary tests and instrumental examination, which will allow you to identify the cause of pain and select adequate therapy.

Diagnosis of rib pain

In addition to palpation during examination, the doctor may prescribe a number of necessary studies:

  • general and biochemical blood test, urine and sputum examination;
  • electrocardiography;
  • computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
  • study of mediastinal vessels (Dopplerography).

Comprehensive diagnostics allows you to accurately identify the source of pain and select the right therapy.

To identify the causes of pain in the ribs, you need to do an electrocardiogram.

What to do about the pain?

The appearance of pain in the ribs should not be ignored. It is important not to leave the patient alone and go to the hospital.

First aid

If a person has a sharp pain in the chest area and it gets worse general state appropriate measures must be taken:

  • lay the patient on a flat surface, organize free access of air and ensure rest;
  • try to find out the approximate source of discomfort (trauma, cardiac pathologies, unsuccessful change of body position);
  • in case of an attack of angina, give the person necessary medications(nitroglycerin, validol), if available;
  • call an ambulance.

Timely provision of assistance makes it possible to reduce pain and avoid possible complications.

If you have an angina attack, take Validol.

Treatment with drugs

Depending on the identified cause of pain in the ribs, the doctor may prescribe several groups of drugs:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances – Citramon, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Coficil;
  • analgesics (painkillers) – Paracetamol, Analgin, Baralgin;
  • drugs with local irritant action - Apizatron, Analgos, Finalgon;
  • heart medications (in case of angina) - Nitroglycerin, Validol, Corvalol, Valocordin.

Citramon is an effective anti-inflammatory agent

At oncological tumors specialists suggest chemotherapy or surgical intervention based on the location of the tumor and its stage.

Medicines are selected exclusively by the doctor, taking into account the type of disease and the characteristics of its course.

Ribs can hurt for many reasons. These include problems with the musculoskeletal system, and excessive physical activity, and pathological processes in the chest organs (lungs, bronchi). A specialist will help you understand the source of discomfort after complex diagnostics. It is important not to self-medicate and consult a doctor promptly. Otherwise, it is possible severe complications as a worsening of the disease.

They are diagnosed at least once during childhood in every child, and cause great concern among his parents. In each such case, you need to consult a pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, or surgeon as quickly as possible.

In order to correctly navigate the symptoms of possible diseases and maintain the necessary composure, parents need to know why the child’s right side hurts under the ribs.

If you have pain in the right side under the ribs, you should seek help from a specialist.

Diagnosis of abdominal pain in a child is the prerogative of a specialist. Parents should fully assist the physician by accurately describing visible symptoms.

Depending on the age of the child, diagnosing abdominal pain has its own characteristics. So, for example, a child who cannot speak, under the age of about 2 years, is unlikely to be able to clearly understand what and where it hurts.

The only thing his parents will have to focus on is desperate crying, bending of his legs towards his stomach, refusal to eat, unusual stool, and rising temperature.

An older child can be asked to show the place where pain is concentrated and asked to describe its nature. In all cases, the following reasons are distinguished:

  • Organic pain – caused by a pathological process or a change in the structure of the tissues and organs of the gastrointestinal tract (gallbladder dyskinesia, appendicitis).
  • Pain of a functional nature - caused by a violation of the proper functioning of the digestive organs (colic in newborns, to a certain product).

Symptoms indicating urgent medical attention:

  1. Severe cutting pain in right side;
  2. The child is inactive, constantly takes a forced position - lies on his side, legs bent;
  3. The muscles of the abdominal wall are extremely tense;
  4. Vomiting appears;
  5. The pain is accompanied by diarrhea, unusual-looking stools;
  6. The child is excited or, conversely, unusually lethargic;
  7. Hypo- or hyperthermia is noted;
  8. The baby is pale and feels unusually weak.

What you can and cannot do for pain in the right hypochondrium

It is strictly forbidden to press on the area of ​​acute pain.

While waiting for the doctor, the only thing you can do on your own to help the child is to put him to bed and ensure peace.

Any other manipulations, even those dictated by the best intentions, can worsen the child’s condition and lead to unpredictable consequences. What not to do if you have abdominal pain:

  • Applying a heating pad to a sore spot can aggravate the inflammatory process and create danger;
  • Giving an enema - the consequences are the same as in the previous paragraph;
  • Offer food and drink before the doctor's examination - if the child is undergoing surgery under anesthesia, food and liquid will cause vomiting;
  • Give the child medications: analgesics, laxatives, probiotics, antispasmodics - under the influence of drugs, the bright symptoms will be smoothed out, the doctor will not be able to make the correct diagnosis;
  • Press on the area of ​​acute pain - in case of inflammation of the appendix, the intestinal appendix may burst and create a risk of peritonitis.

While waiting for the doctor, you should try to maintain external calm and reassure the anxious child, so as not to aggravate the problem with a stressful situation.

Possible causes of abdominal pain on the right under the ribs

A variety of pathologies can cause such unpleasant sensations in children. The pain is accompanied by additional symptoms, which, by carefully analyzing, the doctor can accurately diagnose the disease.

Inflammation of the gallbladder and dysfunction

A bitter taste in the mouth indicates inflammation of the gallbladder.

Pain in the right side in children may be a sign (excessive or insufficient contraction), angiocholitis (inflammation of the biliary tract), cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).

Pain due to pathologies of the gallbladder can be either dull or quite intense, radiating to the area of ​​the right shoulder. They are accompanied by symptoms such as:

  1. Lack of appetite;
  2. Nausea;
  3. Bitter taste and dry mouth;
  4. Pale skin during attacks of gallbladder colic;
  5. Alternating constipation and;
  6. The feces are the color of light clay;
  7. Headache.

A violation of the diet (excess of sweets, excessively fried or fatty foods), or excess of physical activity can provoke an attack of pain. Gallbladder pathologies develop gradually.

After the release of bile, which was preceded by pain from a full gallbladder, loose, dark brown stools may begin. This color of stool is characteristic of the release of a large amount of bile.

After such an attack, pain is not felt for some time until the next attack. In case of pathologies of the gallbladder, it is recommended to take liver and gallbladder parenchymas, take a biochemical blood test, and examine the condition of the biliary tract. It is recommended to correct the child’s diet by excluding the following foods:

  • canned products,
  • fatty, smoked, salty dishes,
  • sweets,
  • carbonated drinks,
  • cocoa, chocolate.

Exacerbations of the disease must be treated in a hospital, with bed rest and tubeless drainage of the duodenum.

Pain in the right abdomen may indicate an attack of appendicitis.

Pain in the upper right abdomen can be triggered by an attack of appendicitis, which in the initial stage can cause characteristic symptoms not at all in the location of the inflammation.

The condition of children during an attack worsens much faster than that of adults, so the main thing is to quickly deliver the child to the hospital. Signs of appendicitis:

  1. The child strives to take a forced position, turning on his right side;
  2. The pain begins to appear in the navel area, then it moves to the right, radiating under the ribs, then spreads throughout the abdomen, and can “radiate” to the legs or arms;
  3. The child is lethargic or irritable;
  4. There is a slight increase in temperature;
  5. Marked ;
  6. Nausea is felt, in some cases accompanied by vomiting.

Even if at least a few symptoms from the picture described above appear, this is a reason to urgently seek medical help.

If a child has pain on the left side, two questions arise: is this pain really there and what could provoke it? In most cases, such pain does not pose a threat to the child, but sometimes it is associated with serious illnesses. There are several internal organs in the abdomen, which is why the causes of pain can be different.

1 Causes of pain

If a child has pain on the left side, this may be caused by for various reasons. Pain occurs not only with digestive diseases, but also with diseases of other abdominal organs.

The most harmless are the physiological causes of pain - this is a convulsive contraction of the abdominal muscles. Spasms in children occur during physical activity due to the active work of the abdominal muscles, which put pressure on the internal organs. With great physical exertion, the child begins to breathe through his mouth, and he begins to experience mild hypoxia - oxygen starvation internal organs, including the abdominal cavity, which causes spastic pain.

Quite often, a disease such as gastritis occurs in children. Gastritis is an inflammation of the inner mucous layer of the stomach, leading to a malfunction of its functions. Pain in this disease is most often located on the left side of the abdomen below the ribs. With gastritis, the digestion process is disrupted, which leads to general malaise.

Children complain for a reason. Dyspepsia occurs when the amount or composition of food does not correspond to the capabilities of the children's gastrointestinal tract due to the lack of sufficient quantity digestive enzymes.

Pancreatitis in children is a common and serious disease. Pancreatitis develops due to the pathological effect of its own enzymes on the pancreas, which destroy tissues and blood vessels. The process is accompanied by the release of bile into the blood, which can cause jaundice and lead to poisoning of the body.

Diaphragmatic hernia is a pathological defect manifested in the form of displacement, protrusion of the stomach through natural or pathological openings in the diaphragm in chest cavity. The acidic juice secreted by the stomach causes pain in the left side, which spreads to abdominal cavity. The pathology usually occurs due to weakening of the diaphragm muscles. In children diaphragmatic hernia Most often they are congenital, but there are also acquired (traumatic).

The left side may hurt due to flatulence. Flatulence is an excessive accumulation of gases formed during digestion in the child's intestines. Mostly occurs in infants, but is often seen in older children. This condition is a symptom of some kind of malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, without identifying which it is impossible to begin treating the child.

Diverticulum in children is the most common intestinal defect, which is congenital pathology. Pathological protrusion triangular shape with a wide base appears at the bottom small intestine. It involves the wall of the duodenum into its cavity. The stomach mucosa and pancreatic tissue can also get into the bag. Mostly boys are prone to this anomaly. This pathology is considered extremely dangerous, is difficult to diagnose and may not reveal itself until complications develop.

If you have, it could be cystitis. Cystitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the bladder. Girls suffer from this pathology more often than boys. This is due to the close location genitourinary organs, which allows the infection to spread quickly and cause inflammation. As a result of the disease, girls and boys feel pain when urinating, and there is blood in the urine.

A common childhood disease is appendicitis, clinical course which is more severe and develops more rapidly than in adults, and diagnosis is much more difficult. In children, the appendix is ​​often located behind the cecum and behind the liver, which causes a special picture of the disease. Disease on early stages usually not accompanied by much severe pain. On the contrary, the pain is dull but constant, on the right side of the lower abdomen (although it can begin on the left side above). In some cases, pain can have a rather rare localization - radiate to the stomach, ureter, genitals, back, which creates additional difficulties for diagnosing the disease. Your health may worsen over time. The causes of inflammation of the appendix are still not fully understood, but even acute respiratory viral infections, tonsillitis, and otitis media can provoke it.

In some cases, the appearance of a constant may indicate the presence coronary disease or the development of other cardiac pathologies.

It also happens that a child has pain in his side, but examinations and tests do not yield results. This pain occurs due to nerves. Neurotic pain is caused by factors other than disease. This pain can be caused by: emotional stress, negative emotions, fear of possible dangers. In such a situation, you need to contact a child psychotherapist.

2 Associated symptoms

The nature of the pain in the side can be different and be accompanied by additional symptoms. The most common symptoms:

  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • lethargy;
  • chills, fever;
  • bowel dysfunction (diarrhea, constipation);
  • increased gas formation;
  • loss of appetite;
  • urinary disturbance;
  • pale skin

If your side hurts and is accompanied by the above symptoms, you should immediately call a doctor. In any case, you should contact a specialist even when the pain is periodic, in order to accurately determine the cause of its occurrence.

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