Localized pain in the chest or abdominal area may or may not be related to a major condition, but it is always best to discover what causes it so that appropriate measures may be required to treat it. Sharp pain under right breast is not uncommon, and anyone can experience this. In considering the underlying problem, it is very important to know what structures remain in this area, along with the accompanying symptoms that you are experiencing.
Causes of Pain Under Right Breast
The area under the right breast includes various structures, including the ribs and muscles in the chest, parts of the lung, and organs in the upper abdomen. Here are some possible medical conditions connected with sharp pain under right breast.
1. Rib Injury
The organs in the chest are protected by your rib cage, which is composed of ribs, cartilages, and a plate-like structure called the sternum. Sometimes, an injury to these structures, such as a fracture from a direct blow to the chest or a crush injury from a vehicular accident can lead to bruising, tenderness and pain in the afflicted area. Aside from these, sharp pain under right breast may feel worse when you cough, sneeze or take deep breaths. It is best to get instant medical attention after such injuries to prevent complications that might affect the underlying organs.
2. Costochondritis
Swelling of the cartilage attached to a rib, or costochondritis, might result from injury, violent coughing, infection, or strain injury to the impacted joint. This is a typical condition that causes chest pain and it generally feels even worse with exercise or when you sneeze or cough. However, it is not severe and is normally alleviated with rest and OTC painkillers.
3. Pleurisy
Swelling of the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) might result from respiratory infection, pneumonia, trauma or direct exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos. This condition, called pleurisy, is defined by chest pain that becomes worse with coughing, deep breathing, and movement. Other symptoms consist of coughing, quick breathing, and shortness of breath, pain under right or left breast.
4. Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a big organ located behind your stomach, which is in the left upper abdomen. Although it is located on the opposite side, swelling of this organ (pancreatitis) can cause an intense or chronic pain that can be referred or transferred to another part of the body, such as that triggering sharp pain under right breast.
Pancreatitis might result from infection, blockage of ducts, alcohol abuse, high triglyceride levels, or presence of stones in the gallbladder. Pain might also be described other areas, such as the back or the sides of the abdomen, and can cause other symptoms such as fever, queasiness, vomiting, and bloating. These symptoms might feel even worse after consuming a meal high in fat.
5. Gallbladder Disease
The gallbladder is a little sac located under your liver in the upper side of your abdominal area. This serves to store and launch bile, a digestion juice produced by your liver. When the bile, which consists of salts, pigments, and cholesterol, crystalizes and forms stones (gallstones), a condition called cholelithiasis happens. Infection may also occur, thus triggering swelling (cholecystitis), which may cause sharp pain under right breast. This pain typically radiates to the back and causes other symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting.
6. Kidney Stones
Renal calculi or kidney stones are difficult deposits that establish when acid salts and minerals crystalize in the urine. Little kidney stones usually pass in the urine causing no problems, but bigger ones can cause severe pain, which may be felt when they get lodged in your kidney or ureter. Although the most typical symptom is flank pain, which is felt on the side of the affected kidney, the pain might radiate to your rib cage, triggering pain under right breast. Other symptoms consist of fever, queasiness, vomiting, regular urination, cloudy urine, and burning experience when urinating.
7. Hiatal Hernia
This less typical condition results when part of your stomach protrudes (or herniates) through a weak area (hiatal opening) in the diaphragm, which opens into the chest cavity. In some cases, part of the esophagus (tube leading to the stomach) likewise herniates through this hiatus. These conditions typically cause shortness of breath, chest pain, heartburn and bloating after meals. Immediate treatment is necessary to avoid major complications.
How to Detect Pain Under Right Breast
If you have actually recently been exercising and your symptoms are steady (not getting worse), the sharp pain under right breast might simply be a temporary condition associated to strain (costochondritis). This is one of the most typical causes of pain in the chest and it may resolve with rest and painkiller.
However, if you have been associated with a current injury or had a major respiratory infection, it is best to see a doctor immediately. Sometimes, you might not be aware that you have symptoms of a disease affecting the organs of your upper abdominal area or the kidneys, so it is advisable to speak with a doctor for correct diagnosis and management.
Tests may include numerous blood tests, urine examination and imaging tests like ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, or CT scan, depending upon your physician’s assessment after he takes your case history and physical exam.
