15 reasons why it hurts in the left side and which doctor to see

Pain in the left side is always alarming. Many vital organs are concentrated in this area, which can thus signal malfunctions. The nature of the sensations varies. The pain can be dull, sharp, aching, bursting. The more intense it is, the sooner you need to seek medical help. However, you should not endure and eliminate even mild but long-lasting pain on your own. It can be a symptom of excessive exercise or constipation, or it can indicate kidney damage and even intestinal tumors. In women, left-sided pain is often a consequence of gynecological diseases.

Most often, pain in the left side is not the only symptom. It is accompanied by other signs indicating pathology or infection. Their correct interpretation will allow us to understand in which direction further diagnosis and treatment should be carried out.

What kind of pain can there be in the left side?

Pain in the left side is not always typical. It will differ depending on the disease that provoked it. Based only on the nature of the pain, it will not be possible to make an accurate diagnosis, but one or another pathology can be suspected.

Features of the pain syndrome:

• Blunt pain. It most often indicates damage to the female reproductive system.
• Dull pain accompanied by increased body temperature, fatigue and weakness is a sign of an inflammatory process.
• Nagging pain can act as a signal of suppuration of the inflammatory focus, especially if it occurs against the background of hyperthermia.
• Nagging pain without fever may indicate a strangulated hernia and cancer.
• A stabbing acute pain in the lower abdomen in women is a signal of ovarian rupture. It is intense and does not go away over time.
• Stitching migrating pain may be a symptom of intestinal overflow with gases. Similar sensations occur with damage to the kidneys and ureters.
• Sharp spasm-type pain can signal renal colic due to exacerbation of urolithiasis. Other causes include inflammation or rupture of the ovary, damage to the bladder.

Not only the nature of the pain, but also its concentration is of important diagnostic importance:

• Left hypochondrium: pancreatitis, diseases of the digestive system, damage to the spleen, myocardial infarction.
• Closer to the center: nonspecific ulcerative colitis, intestinal infections.
• In the lower abdomen: damage to the left ovary or appendage, hernia, constipation.
• With irradiation to the back: kidney disease, lung damage.

Pain in the left side, depending on the provoking factor:

• During meals.
• Due to a long period of hunger.
• After physical activity.
• Against a background of stress.

According to the mechanism of development, pain is of 4 types:

• Spastic.
• Peritoneal.
• Vascular.
• Distensional.

You should consult a doctor immediately if the pain is acute, intensifies and does not stop within half an hour. The situation can be aggravated by bleeding, high body temperature, vomiting, and lethargy. Such symptoms require hospitalization.

Anatomical features of the left half of the abdomen

Abdominal pain on the left can be caused by any anatomical structure located in this area. These include the digestive organs:

• stomach;
• pancreas;
• duodenum and half of the small intestine;
• part of the large intestine from the transverse colon, descending, sigmoid and rectum.

The organ of hematopoiesis and immune defense is the spleen. Organs of urination and excretion: left kidney, ureter, bladder. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of damage to:

• abdominal wall and layers of peritoneum lining the internal cavity;
• lower ribs on the left;
• vessels and nerves of the abdominal cavity.

We do not consider here the pelvic organs, which lie in the lowest part. Their role in the examination of women and men for pain cannot be reduced to identify, for example, the source of inflammation or the original tumor.

Causes of pain in the left side

Pain in the left side is not always a sign of illness. There are often cases when its cause is physiological in origin. So, the left side can prick after excessive stress on the body. Training promotes a rush of blood to the abdominal organs, which fills the spleen. Therefore, after performing intense exercise, people often complain of discomfort in the left side. To eliminate it, just rest for about 10 minutes.

The next day after training, the abdominal muscles may feel pain in the left side. It intensifies with tension in the abdominal wall, when turning the body, coughing, and straining. Normally, the discomfort goes away within a few days.

Other risk factors that can cause left side pain include:

• Being in the cold. People say “it’s blown.” In this case, unpleasant sensations can radiate to the lumbar region, and sometimes there are complaints of shooting in the spine.
• Menu with consumption of fatty , fried, spicy foods, drinking alcoholic beverages. Problems may occur in people with previously diagnosed pancreatitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers.
• Injuries. Even minor bruises can cause pain for a long time. With rib fractures, your side may hurt for several months.
• Menstrual cycle. The intensity of pain depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. However, there should not be severe discomfort requiring painkillers.

Intestinal diseases

• Constipation. If there is no stool for two or more days, then a person may experience dull pain in the left side, in the lower abdomen. Additional signs: a feeling of fullness in the intestines, periodic urge to defecate, painful spasms, burning in the rectum when dry feces are released.
• IBS. With irritable bowel syndrome, the pain is concentrated in the left side. It can be dull and acute, occur like contractions or be present on an ongoing basis. The pain reaches its maximum intensity in the morning, after waking up. In this case, the person experiences severe discomfort and the urge to empty the intestines. After going to the toilet the pain disappears. Additional symptoms: several attempts to defecate in the morning, no discomfort at night, increased pain before menstruation (in women).
• Sigmoiditis. The inflammatory process in the area of ​​the sigmoid colon is accompanied by intense pain in the left side, which radiates to the perineum and thigh. Additional signs: false urge to have a bowel movement, foul-smelling diarrhea, blood in the stool. If the process is in a chronic stage, then an increase in symptoms can be caused by nutritional disturbances and stress on the body physically or psychoemotionally.
• Diverticulitis. The formation of diverticula leads to pain in the left side, which increases in severity during bowel movements. After its completion, the discomfort goes away. If the patient develops constipation, the pain becomes more intense. Attacks are rare, but sometimes they can last up to several days. Additional signs: flatulence, unstable stool, in which constipation alternates with diarrhea.
• UC. In this long-term and sluggish process that accompanies intestinal inflammation, the pain is concentrated under the ilium on the left. As the disease progresses, it spreads to the entire left half of the abdomen. Additional signs: loose stools with blood, which is noticeable to the naked eye, loss of appetite, false urge to have a bowel movement, accompanied by pain.
• Polyps. Benign neoplasms are accompanied by a dull pain that can radiate to the left side. The larger the tumor, the greater the discomfort. Additional signs: constant constipation, which occurs due to a mechanical obstruction in the path of feces.
• Cancer of the sigmoid or colon. At first, the patient experiences a certain discomfort; as the tumor grows, it turns into severe pain that bothers him on an ongoing basis. Additional signs: stool disorders, blood in the stool, constipation, diarrhea.
• Left-sided inguinal hernia. The pain is dull, becomes pronounced when the abdominal wall is tense, when bending and turning the body. When a hernia is strangulated, the pain becomes very severe.
• Dysbacteriosis. Disorders of the intestinal microflora often develop when taking antibacterial drugs. Discomfort is constantly present, intensifying after eating and before attempting to empty the intestines. Additional signs: feces have a strong smell, stool occurs up to 7 times a day, gas formation increases, appetite disappears.

Intestinal infections

Amoebiasis, dysentery, escherichiosis, salmonellosis. The entry of infectious agents into the intestines leads to painful sensations in the left side, which occur like contractions. The disease manifests itself approximately one day after infection. Additional signs: diarrhea, stool can occur up to 20 times a day, stool with blood and mucus.

Pancreatic damage

• Chronic pancreatitis. The pain is concentrated in the left side, it is weak, aching, but present on a constant basis. A tendency to increase is observed with errors in nutrition with the consumption of fatty foods. Additional signs: constipation alternating with diarrhea, increased gas formation, rumbling in the stomach.
• Acute pancreatitis. The pain is unbearable, concentrated in the left hypochondrium, and occurs suddenly. Strengthening occurs in the supine position and on the left side. Additional signs: vomiting, high fever, feeling unwell.

Diseases of the female reproductive system

The most common causes of pain in the left side in women:

• Adnexitis (inflammation of the left appendage of the uterus).
• Ectopic pregnancy concentrated in the left tube.
• Endometriosis.

The intensity of pain depends on the degree of progression of the pathological process. However, it will always intensify a few days before the onset of menstrual bleeding. Additional signs: pain during intimacy, spreading to the pubis and perineum.

Diseases of the urinary system

• Left-sided renal colic due to urolithiasis. The pain does not stop, it exhausts the person, occurs in the form of attacks, and spreads to the lumbar region, lower abdomen, and perineum. Additional signs: urination is difficult or absent at all, hyperthermic reaction.

Diseases of the stomach and intestines

• Gastritis and stomach ulcers. With these pathologies, pain radiates to the left hypochondrium. They can be aching and dull, and during exacerbation - cramping. Additional signs: symptoms intensify after eating, stool disorder is observed, most often in the form of diarrhea.
• Duodenal ulcer. The pain is concentrated in the left hypochondrium and in the epigastric region. Increased discomfort is observed on an empty stomach and at night. Additional signs: nausea, belching, constipation and diarrhea.

Spleen damage

• Spleen injuries. The pain is severe and can radiate to the shoulder. Its intensity depends on the severity of the organ damage.
• Splenic infarction. The pain is concentrated in the left side and under the ribs, radiating to the shoulder blade and to the heart.
• Abscess of the spleen. The pain is severe, throbbing, and can radiate to the lower back. Additional signs: fever, weakness, digestive disorders.
• Thrombosis of the splenic vein. The pain is paroxysmal, concentrated in the left hypochondrium. It is not related to food intake or exercise. Additional signs: vomiting blood.

Intercostal neuralgia

The discomfort is concentrated in the left hypochondrium and radiates to the left side. Patients indicate lumbago, reminiscent of electric shocks. Provoking factors include uncomfortable body position and physical activity. During an attack, a person tries to avoid taking deep breaths so as not to increase the pain.

Rare causes of pain

• Tietze syndrome. With this disease, the cartilaginous segments of the ribs become inflamed. When the lower left ribs are affected, the pain is concentrated in the left side. The disease can be provoked by injuries to the sternum and excessive physical stress. Young people under 35 years of age are most often affected.
• Angina pectoris. Pain when the heart muscle is damaged can spread to the left hypochondrium and radiate to the arm. Additional signs: the attack lasts 15 minutes, it can be relieved by taking nitroglycerin.
• Some hereditary diseases. Pain in the left side can occur with porphyria and histiocytosis X.
• Pregnancy. Pain in the left side occurs when the intestinal loops are compressed by the enlarged uterus. Women may complain of constipation.

Mechanism of formation of abdominal pain

The feeling of pain serves as a protective reaction for the body. It indicates damage and requires help. According to the mechanism, pain impulses can be formed by:

• spastic contraction or hyperextension of hollow organs (intestines, stomach, bladder and ureter);
• an ulcerative process that violates the integrity of the submucosal and muscular layer (there are no pain receptors in the mucous membrane itself);
• stretching or rupture of the capsule of parenchymal organs (spleen, kidney);
• damage to nerve branches and plexuses (due to rib fractures, inflammatory processes, tumor disintegration).

Spastic pain is difficult for patients to tolerate

The classification of pain includes the following types:

• organ - caused by damage to one or more organs by inflammation, ischemia (reduced blood flow through the arteries), infectious process, pain in the left side of the abdomen migrates, does not have an epicenter and precise localization;
• parietal - connected to the abdominal wall, clearly localized at the site of the lesion;
• neurogenic - caused by damage to nerve fibers, distortion of the impulse to the brain, the organs themselves lying in the abdominal area may not be damaged;
• reflected - projected onto a zone that is connected by the location of the nerve ganglia of the spinal cord.

Pathology of the abdominal organs is caused by a mixed mechanism. One violation leads to a chain reaction. Knowledge of the combined negative process allows you to select the optimal treatment to counteract and reduce pain.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain begins with interviewing the patient and palpating the area about which the patient complains. Often the doctor gets the data he needs by palpating the intestines. Women with complaints of pain in the left side are referred to a gynecologist for consultation.

The following tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis:

• Contrast radiography of the intestines, irrigoscopy.
• Colonoscopy. This method allows you to visualize the intestines from the inside, detecting areas of inflammation or neoplasm.
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs. It is prescribed for suspected damage to the spleen and pancreas.
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. It is indicated for women with suspected gynecological diseases.
• Taking tests: stool, urine, blood.
• Endoscopy is prescribed to patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers and gastritis.
• MRI and CT. These complex diagnostic procedures are prescribed when cancerous tumors are suspected. With their help, it is possible to visualize hernias.
• ECG in 12 leads. An examination is required if damage to the heart muscle is suspected.

After receiving the results, the doctor will select the appropriate therapy for the patient.

Pain caused by heart and vascular diseases

With diseases of the heart and vascular system, and in particular with vegetative-vascular dystonia and angina, pain also occurs in the left hypochondrium region. In the case of dystonia, this is due to a violation of the mechanism for maintaining the tone of blood vessels, and in the case of angina pectoris, heart pain is radiated to this area.

The nature of the pain in these cases can be dull, stabbing, or aching. Patients usually find it difficult to describe such phenomena, because they can be both prolonged and paroxysmal with unclear localization. When conducting research, typical diseases of the organs located in this area of ​​​​the hypochondrium are not detected and the person is sent for examination to a cardiologist or neurologist.

On topic: Capillary therapy

Treatment

If the pain is provoked by physiological factors, then therapy is not prescribed. It is enough to reduce the load on the body and wait for the discomfort to disappear. This takes no more than 3 days.

When pain in the left side is caused by constipation, the menu is adjusted. Vegetables and fruits rich in fiber are introduced into the diet, and fermented milk drinks are added. Compliance with the drinking regime is mandatory.

With irritable bowel symptoms, eliminating stress factors comes to the fore. Sometimes consultations with a psychologist can help cope with the disease.

To make the patient feel better until complete recovery, painkillers and anti-spasm medications can be prescribed. Sometimes anesthetics are administered in the form of blockades. This approach will not eliminate the cause of left-sided pain, but will only muffle it.

Depending on the diagnosis, medications are selected:

• In case of dysbacteriosis, correction of the microflora is required; enzymes can be added to the therapeutic regimen.
• For constipation, suppositories, laxatives, and oils are used.
• To treat intestinal infections, a drug is selected that will affect the pathogenic flora. Antibiotics are rarely used.
• If the pancreas is damaged, follow a diet. After the exacerbation is relieved, digestive enzymes are used.

Surgery may be required in severe conditions, for example, in the presence of cancerous tumors in the intestines, rupture of the spleen, complications of diverticulitis, and more. The decision about the advisability of surgical intervention is made by the doctor.

Pain not associated with diseases

Sometimes completely healthy people or children experience pain in the left hypochondrium during active physical activity (sports, intense work). This usually happens when a person has a low level of training for these activities. The mechanism of this phenomenon is such that under the influence of load the level of blood circulation in the body increases sharply.

In response to this, all blood vessels increase in diameter, including the right vena cava, which runs next to the liver and begins to put pressure on it. As a result, a stabbing pain appears on the right side, which is transmitted to the left hypochondrium. A short time after the cessation of exposure, the pain reaction goes away on its own and does not require any therapeutic measures. Many schoolchildren encounter such manifestations during cross-country competitions or passing sports standards.

Sometimes similar pain sensations can appear with sudden movements or bending of the body. This is due to the contact of internal organs with the surface of the rib and, accordingly, the body’s protective reaction in the form of pain.

What to do if you have pain in your left side?

You should not endure pain in your left side; you should seek medical help. If the situation is not an emergency, and the diagnosis has not yet been established, it is necessary to follow a diet, eating soft foods (meat soufflé, pureed dishes). Spicy, salty, and spicy foods are excluded from the diet. Products must undergo gentle heat treatment, frying is excluded.

Acute “dagger” pain requires calling an ambulance. In most cases, such a symptom requires emergency surgical intervention.

Diseases of the respiratory system

Pain on the left side under the ribs in front when inhaling may indicate the development of pleurisy or pneumonia. In the first case, the pathological process affects the lungs, in the second - the serous membrane that surrounds them.

Pneumonia is an acute infectious disease. The clinical picture and severity of symptoms directly depend on the cause, gender and age of the patient.

General symptoms of pathology:

• Increased body temperature. The rise comes sharply.
• General signs of intoxication of the body (weakness, rapid onset of fatigue, headache).
• Dry cough. Appears in 3-5 days. Gradually it turns into a wet form, accompanied by sputum.
• Painful sensations in the chest area, aggravated by inhalation. They can radiate to the area of ​​the left or right hypochondrium, and the pathological process can also be bilateral.
• Dyspnea.

Pleurisy is a disease that, as a rule, is not independent in nature, but accompanies a number of other pathologies of the respiratory system. The disease can have both a dry and exudative form.

The clinical picture of the disease directly depends on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include: pain in the left or right hypochondrium, worsening with inhalation; reflex painful cough; increased body temperature; chills; weakness.

Treatment of pathology consists of eliminating the underlying disease and reducing the severity of symptoms.

Pathologies of the pancreas

Pancreatitis is most often diagnosed in patients. Against the background of its development, the functioning of the pancreas is disrupted. The disease can be both acute and chronic. In the first case, a person is bothered by pain in the left hypochondrium, which intensifies when inhaling; his appetite is impaired; vomiting appears; body temperature rises; diarrhea or, conversely, constipation develops. In the chronic form, patients complain of constantly feeling unwell, nausea, and flatulence.

Treatment of pancreatitis may include both conservative and surgical methods.

Localization of pain under the ribs

Precise determination of the area where painful sensations are concentrated allows one to assume a particular diagnosis.

Osteochondrosis

Currently, this is the most common spinal disease. During its development, degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue occur. According to statistics, about 90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.

The main reasons for the development of the disease:

• improper formation of the spine during intrauterine development;
• hereditary predisposition;
• the natural aging process of the body;
• disturbance of phosphorus and calcium metabolism;
• unbalanced diet;
• inactive lifestyle or, on the contrary, high-intensity physical activity;
• vibrations that are long-lasting or regular (for example, when driving);
• excess body weight;
• smoking;
• various types of injuries;
• weakness of muscle tissue in the back;
• scoliosis;
• flat feet;
• infectious diseases;
• constantly being in a state of stress;
• living in unfavorable environmental conditions;
• wearing uncomfortable shoes, including high-heeled models;
• pregnancy.

If, when you inhale, there is a stabbing sensation in the left side under the ribs, this is considered a symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis. In addition, a person may experience a feeling of numbness in the area of ​​the heart and stomach. Often the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade or shoulder. The patient also experiences rapid onset of fatigue even with minimal mental and physical exertion.

In most cases, the treatment regimen for osteochondrosis includes the following points: medication, physical therapy, physiotherapy, massage, traction, kinesiotaping, diet.

Heart pathologies

In the human body, the diaphragm is closely connected with the central circulatory organ. That is why, in the presence of cardiac pathologies, the process of inhaling air can be accompanied by pronounced painful sensations.

As a rule, patients in this case are diagnosed with one of the forms of cardiomyopathy. The most dangerous is considered to be dilation, in which the heart becomes flabby and cannot fully perform its function. The causes of this pathology are unknown.

In addition to pain when breathing on the left under the ribs, patients complain of shortness of breath after performing any physical activity, dizziness, a constant feeling of weakness, swelling of the lower extremities, sleep disturbances, and frequent episodes of fainting.

For cardiomyopathy, symptomatic treatment is carried out. The prognosis for the presence of the disease is usually unfavorable. Until recently, the only option for patients was a donor organ transplant. But the difficulty is that the queue of patients is extremely impressive. However, finding a donor heart is almost impossible. Currently, the stem cell treatment method is used in practice.