Stomach pain when lying on left side. What to do if the left side hurts

Abdominal pain can be a symptom of many different diseases. Stomach it is not a single organ like the heart or the liver. The organ is filled with many different tissues and structures. And every organ in the stomach can get sick.

First of all, you should pay attention to the sudden onset sharp pain in the abdomen. This pain may be the first symptom for immediate relief. medical care. Many abdominal organs are hollow (stomach, intestines, gallbladder). And if one of them fails (clogs, bursts), then your life is in danger. If a sharp sudden pain lasts more than 30 minutes, you should urgently call a doctor or go to the hospital to rule out an urgent surgical pathology.

Causes of pain in the left side

Pain in the left side from above. The following organs are distributed in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen:

Spleen;

pancreas;

bowel loops;

the left side of the diaphragm.

Pain in the left upper quadrant may be related to spleen. The spleen lies very close to the surface of the body. The main job of the spleen is to removing red blood cells from the blood, after their normal life for 120 days. It captures them, destroys them, after which their components pass into the bone marrow, where new blood globules are formed.

In a number of diseases, the spleen enlarges, its capsule is stretched, and this causes pain. Due to the fact that the spleen is located close to the surface of the body, it is prone to rupture.

Causes of ruptured spleen there may be injuries and diseases such as Infectious mononucleosis. With this disease, the spleen becomes enlarged and soft. And all this increases the likelihood of its rupture. Sometimes an enlarged spleen ruptures on its own. A signal sign of rupture of the spleen, in addition to pain and sensitivity in the corresponding area, is cyanosis of the skin around the navel (due to the accumulation of blood).

Pain in the left side from above can give the stomach. Anything that irritates the gastric mucosa causes gastritis(inflammation of the stomach) or functional dyspepsia may cause pain. More often, this pain is aching in nature, often accompanied by nausea and even vomiting. Antacids prescribed by your doctor will help. In general, only a doctor can tell you exactly what you have. Stomach pain can be peptic ulcer and in cancer.

After completing a series laboratory examinations(including endoscopic), the doctor will finally diagnose you and prescribe the treatment. Pain in the upper left quadrant may be related to diaphragmatic hernia. In the diaphragm, which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, there is a hole through which the esophagus passes on its way to the stomach.

When the muscles that control the size of this opening weaken, the opening enlarges, allowing the upper stomach to exit the abdominal cavity, where it should be, into the chest cavity, where it, of course, should be. This state is called diaphragmatic hernia. More commonly seen in older people. Due to acidic stomach contents, you feel pain in the left upper quadrant.

We must not forget that pain in the left upper quadrant can give pancreas. After all, it is stretched through the upper abdomen and when the pancreas becomes inflamed, you can feel pain on the right, in the middle and on the left side of the abdomen. Various diseases and toxins can affect the pancreas, including cancer.

You should suspect a pancreatic disease in yourself, if the pain that occurs is very sharp, comes from the inside, is of a shingles character, radiates to the back, is accompanied by temperature, nausea, vomiting.

Pain caused by injury or trauma, in terms of pathophysiological significance for the body, is significantly different from internal pelvic pain. Pain caused by injury should usually be treated immediately with painkillers. Pain caused by pathologies of the internal organs, on the contrary, must be stopped with great care. If internal pain occurs, anesthesia is allowed by applying a cold compress to the focus.

Soreness in the left side is observed in women more often than in men due to the peculiarities of the structure of the genitourinary system.

Discomfort can manifest itself with different frequency and severity, depending on the type of developing pathology or the individual location of the internal organs.

In the event that the left side of the abdomen hurts, thereby it is necessary to establish the causes and conduct certain tests.

Provocateurs of the pain syndrome are many diseases, ranging from problems with the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, spine, genitourinary organs, ending with a disorder of the cardiovascular system.

Since abdominal pain can be associated with a large list of ailments, it is simply impossible to determine with great accuracy the true cause of the disorder on your own.

Any manifestations of pain in women in the abdomen signal an early visit to the doctor.

Causes of soreness

Most often, the causes of discomfort in women in the left side are pathologies of the genitourinary system.

But there is a list of diseases that relate to other organ systems and can cause severe pain in the left abdomen.

Gastrointestinal tract:

autoimmune disorders. They have a negative impact on the entire system in terms of digestion. The pain may radiate throughout the abdomen. It can especially increase in the side some time after eating.
Education in the kidneys. These include malignant and benign tumors, stone deposits, cysts.
Irritable bowel. Causes discomfort in the abdomen, may have causes such as nervous irritability.
Pathology of the spleen. It is impossible to exclude neoplasms, organ infarction.
Intestinal diverticulitis. It is an inflammatory foci of the inner layer of the intestines. May be a sign of poor nutrition and the presence of a large number of pathogenic bacteria in the abdomen.
The development of inflammation in the urinary system.
Ulcerative colitis.

Spine:

Displacement and curvature of the vertebrae. Pain from the left side gives to the back or lower back.
The formation of intervertebral hernias. The back hurts and gives to the abdomen and lower back.
Pinched nerve roots. At the same time, the stomach often hurts, discomfort is given to the sides, and the patient may misinterpret his symptoms.

The cardiovascular system:

Heart attack and pre-infarction condition.
Severe tachycardia.

All of these diseases can cause pain in the left side or give to the stomach. Most often they have a girdle character. In the first place among the female population are pathologies of the genital organs.

Common female pathologies

Many women regularly experience pain in the left side of the abdomen. Symptoms cannot be explained by a specific disease without proper diagnostic measures.

The reproductive organs require special attention and timely treatment in case of problems.

If the left side hurts, this may be a sign of an inflammatory process that has begun in the part of the abdomen on the left.

Systematic pain

According to statistics, every second woman suffers from systematic pain in the left side during the menstrual cycle or ovulation.

Symptoms are caused by increased sensitivity of the body during hormonal changes, triggering certain physiological processes.

If the examination by a doctor did not reveal any deviations in health, then additional intervention or prescription of drug therapy is not required.

In extreme cases, you can take painkillers or antispasmodics. The pain syndrome will stop after the completion of the next stage of the physiological process.

Oncology

The left side can hurt with the development of oncological processes. These include:

Tubal cancer.
Uterine cancer.
Cervical cancer.
Cancer of the walls of the vagina.
Ovarian cancer.

The oncological process is characterized by the degeneration of ordinary cells of organs or tissues into pathological ones, which the body is unable to eliminate on its own.

This leads to an extensive proliferation of abnormal cells, causing pressure on nearby organs and pain on the left side of the abdomen. The causes of formations in the abdomen are a decrease in immunity and the influence of destructive factors.

It is very difficult to detect a malignant process at an early stage.

It is necessary to pay attention to your well-being during periods of menstruation and ovulation, since discomfort in the abdomen during this period can signal serious illness.

That is why it is necessary to visit a doctor if systematic pain occurs and find out the reasons why the stomach hurts on the left.

Aching pain, as a rule, occurs already from the 2nd stage of the malignant process.

Ectopic pregnancy

When planning a pregnancy, some failures in the process are possible. A weakened egg, which has already passed the stage of fertilization, for some reason cannot reach the uterus for full settling in its cavity.

As a result, the egg can attach itself to the cavity of the fallopian tubes and cause pain in the side.

A rapidly developing embryo does not fit into the small size of the fallopian tube, which is physiologically unable to fully fulfill the role of the uterus.

Often there is an erroneous opinion regarding the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.

In the absence of a doctor's examination, women consider the abdominal pain that has arisen on the left to be signs of an inflammatory process.

The true causes are established already in the case of bleeding that has begun. After a fallopian tube rupture, a woman's life is in great danger and urgent medical care is required.

Pathology can occur and cause pain for the following reasons:

The use of intrauterine devices.
Obstruction of the fallopian tubes.
Regular hormonal disruptions.
The presence of oncology in the area adjacent to the uterus.
Obesity.

Pathology in women has the following symptoms:

Increase in body temperature.
Weak bleeding from the genital tract, which occurs at any time other than menstruation, abdominal pain occurs.
Pronounced toxicosis.
Sharp pain in the left or right side.

With the occurrence of cracks, micro-ruptures and complete rupture of the fallopian tube, pain in the left side of the abdomen increases significantly, forming more and more bloody discharge. The stomach hurts on the left also after the accumulation of purulent masses.

Ovarian rupture

The disease in women occurs as a result of destructive processes in the ovary. When the symptoms are erased or there is no timely medical care, the organ ruptures.

There is an acute girdle pain in the abdomen, depending on which side the ovary has suffered, that side will hurt.

The risk of heavy bleeding increases, as large blood vessels suffer along the way when they break. During this period, an increase in the abdomen and wild pain on palpation can be noted.

Patients with a low pain threshold may lose consciousness or experience pain shock.

Ovarian rupture occurs for the following reasons:

Launched pathologies of the ovaries, which were provoked by the use of hormonal drugs or a violation of the general hormonal background.
Trauma to the left side of the abdomen from below.
Inflammatory processes of the chronic nature of the genitourinary sphere.
Severe hormonal imbalance.

The first signs of pathology are often confused with inflammation of the appendix.

Pain is manifested by pulsating acute attacks, starting from the left side and giving to the entire abdomen, lower back. The difference is that with appendicitis it hurts in the right side.

If you experience severe pain in your left side, you need to call an ambulance. There is a high probability of death due to the large loss of blood and its accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

Ovarian cyst

A cyst is a benign formation that is located on the ovary and consists of pathological fluid.

Pain manifests itself in different ways, depending on the location of the neoplasm. If it hurts in the part of the abdomen on the left, then most likely it was this ovary that suffered.

In the stage of active and rapid development of cysts in women, the following symptoms are noted:

The menstrual cycle becomes unusually long.
There are severe aching pains in the left side of the abdomen.
The pain is given not only to the left side, but also to the hip part.
The menstrual cycle is accompanied by severe pain.

Pain in the abdomen in women reaches its maximum at a time when the cyst grows to a large size and begins to abscess.

The main symptom of this stage is acute pain in the left side, high body temperature.

Among the reasons for the development of cysts and pain in the left side of the abdomen, the following factors stand out:

Scarring of tissues after surgical interventions on the pelvic organs.
Inflammatory processes of a chronic nature in the uterus and ovaries.
Frequent disruptions in menstruation due to hormonal imbalance.
Taking highly toxic medications.
Early abortions and frequent miscarriages.
Violations in the process of maturation of follicles.

The disease requires diagnosis and a decision on the method of treatment. Depending on the stage of the pathology, a conservative or surgical method of treatment is used.

Pathologies from the female reproductive system in the early stages have aching pains in the left side of the abdomen.

Torsion of the ovary and uterine tube

In medical practice, torsion is a complicated pathological condition of the internal organs, in which there is a change in the normal arrangement of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Pipes, under the influence of certain factors, are able to change their correct anatomical position, deviate from their axis and press down. Aching or sharp pain in the abdomen on the left may form.

The disease is subject to emergency surgical intervention and observation in a stationary mode. Pathology causes serious disturbances in the blood flow and nutrition of the ovaries.

There is a possibility of necrosis of the affected and nearby tissues, severe inflammation. Such consequences are eliminated by the complete removal of the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus).

The development of pathology occurs for the following reasons:

High motor activity of the digestive organs.
Individual features of the structure of the gastrointestinal tract.
Changes in the structure and size of the ovary. The attachment of cysts, tumors cause additional stress on the ligaments, and the normal location of the ovary becomes impossible.
Sprains that are related to the uterine tubes.

With precoil, compression of blood vessels, nerve fibers occurs, which is the cause of severe pain.

A woman suffers from acute girdle pain in the left side of the abdomen, radiating to the lumbar region.

The left side may swell from swelling and bleeding of internal organs. The process of breathing is aggravated, an increased heartbeat and an increase in blood pressure may appear.

endometriosis

The development of the disease is characterized by excessive growth of the epithelium, which over time affects not only the uterine cavity, but also nearby organs with its vastness, causing pain on the left side of the abdomen.

Despite the high development of the medical field of science, experts have not established the exact cause of the formation of endometriosis.

The following factors are considered harbingers to the development of the pathological process:

Prolonged inflammation in the genital area.
Diabetes and obesity.
Autoimmune pathologies.
Persistent immune disorders, high frequency of viral diseases. The inability of the immune system to reject excess epithelium.
Multiple procedures for cauterization of the cervix.
Abortions at early age stages (up to 18 years of age).
Individual predisposition of the body to endometriosis, heredity.
Hormonal disorders in which the hormone estrogen is produced in large quantities, and progesterone is low and is not able to neutralize the course of the pathological process and pain.

In the early stages of the course of the disease, a woman may feel pulling pains in the left abdomen.

Increased pain occurs during menstruation or ovulation. A neglected disease brings chronic infertility.

The main symptom of endometriosis is heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle, the presence of severe pain and low blood pressure.

With the individual sensitivity of the organism to the pathological process, loss of consciousness, a feeling of weakness and weakness are possible.

Rupture of the ligaments of the uterus

The ligaments of the uterus can suffer during the period of polyhydramnios or multiple pregnancy, labor.

The growth of the fetus and its development forms a large weight load on the uterus, thereby provoking stretching or rupture of the ligaments (the connective tissue of the uterus).

A predisposing factor to weak ligaments is a deficiency of elastin and collagen.

These substances give the muscles and ligaments a special elasticity, preventing the possibility of their rupture.

Similar ligament injuries often occur in athletes who are involved in weightlifting. Rupture of the ligaments of the uterus causes acute pain in the left side of the abdomen, which radiates under the ribs and lower back.

Such a pathology can cause severe bleeding and pain even during pregnancy and needs urgent surgery.

Inflammation of the uterine appendages

Adnexitis is an inflammatory process that affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes and causes severe pain. The development of inflammation occurs rapidly, capturing all large areas of tissue.

To get inflammation of the appendages, it is absolutely not necessary to have any disease.

The structure of the reproductive system of women is such that conditionally pathogenic microorganisms are initially present on its mucosa, which are able to actively multiply during periods of reduced immunity. It is this factor that contributes to the development of inflammation.

Factors causing inflammation of the appendages:

Hormonal changes, taking inappropriate oral contraceptives can also cause pain and inflammation.
Wearing a hormonal intrauterine device. The pain has a pulling or cutting character.
Frequent abortions (from once a year).

The disease can go into a chronic stage, relapse from time to time and has acute symptoms.

If the pathology develops in the acute stage, then there is severe pain in the lower abdomen on the left side. Re-inflammation occurs against the background of a sharp decrease in immunity, hypothermia or viral infections.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis is necessary to clarify the nature of the disease, the degree of its complexity and the appointment of the necessary treatment against pain and inflammation.

Diagnostic measures include the following manipulations:

Inspection and palpation. If there is severe pain, then palpation can lead to loss of consciousness of the patient.
Ultrasound and MRI studies.
Collection of blood and urine for laboratory tests.
Consultation of one or more narrow specialists: surgeon, proctologist, gynecologist, gastroenterologist.

Each gynecological disease requires mandatory treatment. The method of therapy depends on the severity of the disease. There are several types of treatment:

Surgical. It is used in case of a serious threat to the life and health of women.
Conservative. It includes the use of medicines, herbal remedies, the implementation of all the recommendations of a specialist.
Physiotherapy. Restoration of the reproductive system using special medical equipment.

Physiotherapy is possible only after the elimination of severe inflammatory lesions.

Phytopreparations are used only as an additional therapy, they are not effective in a single dose against inflammation. At the end of therapy, pain in the left side is eliminated.

Conclusion

Pain in the left side of the abdomen is a serious reason for an early visit to a specialist.

Timely diagnosis will not only determine the etiology of the disease, but also save the life of the injured woman.

The most terrible consequence of unresolved pain in the left side is death and infertility. In many cases, complete removal of the uterus and appendages is required.

The earlier assistance is provided, the less the likelihood of cardinal surgical decisions.

The abdomen can hurt on the left for various reasons. In any case, a sharp unfamiliar pain on the left should be diagnosed and eliminated.

An extremely dangerous situation occurs if the stomach hurts in a pregnant woman. This may be a sign of placental abruption or premature labor.

Useful video

If the patient complains to the doctor that he has pain in the left side of the abdomen, then of course it must be taken into account that the human stomach is not a separate organ, but only designates the anatomical region of the body. Indeed, in the abdomen there are a lot of internal organs, various tissues and structures. That is why the causes of pain can vary greatly.

Be that as it may, if a person feels sharp pains in the left side of the abdomen, he should pay very close attention to this. Most of the organs that are in the abdominal cavity are hollow. For example, the gallbladder, genitourinary organs, stomach, intestines. If due to injury, inflammation, or obstruction of the ducts, a blockage of any internal organ occurs, a person may even die without timely medical assistance. A special alarming symptom with sudden sharp pains in the left side is their duration for more than thirty minutes.

Believe me, even if you have a personal guess why your left side hurts, then it is better to announce it in the hospital. In many cases, acute diseases of the organs that are in the abdominal cavity require urgent surgery, for example, gastric perforation.

Possible causes of pain on the left

In order to independently and preliminarily figure out why the pain appeared in the left side, you can visually divide the stomach into four parts. In order to diagnose the cause of the pain as soon as possible, it is necessary to try to localize the symptom as accurately as possible. Thus, in the event that the left side hurts, the person should determine whether this pain extends to the lower left or upper left abdomen.

When pain is felt in the left side from above, this may be a symptom of the following diseases:

1. Diseases of the stomach. Functional dyspepsia and gastritis usually give pain in the stomach. They are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. During gastritis, antacids may be taken to relieve pain. They lower the acidity in the stomach.

2. Violation of the spleen. It is located in the human body, very, close to the surface of the body. That is why it is not uncommon for pain in the upper left side of the abdomen to be caused by this organ. The main function of the spleen is to remove all "used" red blood cells from the blood. If the capsule of the spleen is stretched, the organ greatly increases in size and causes pain. The spleen can also be ruptured due to severe abdominal trauma or certain infectious diseases, such as mononucleosis. Since the organ is located near the surface of the human body, this makes this organ especially vulnerable. During the disease of mononucleosis, there is a strong increase in the spleen and a significant softening of its entire consistency. That is, the probability of rupture increases. It happens that a very enlarged spleen itself ruptures, even without any external influence. There are certain body signals that indicate a rupture of the spleen:

sensitivity of the place of the spleen on the body (pain when pressed with a hand in the side);
abdominal pain;
blue skin around the navel due to accumulation of blood in this area.

3. Hernia of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a wide muscle that separates the abdominal region from the chest cavity. The diaphragm has a special opening through which the stomach is connected to the esophagus. With weakening around this opening of the muscles, the lumen of the diaphragm may increase. In this case, it may happen that the upper gastric section protrudes, as it were, from the abdominal cavity of a person into his chest cavity. This phenomenon is a diaphragmatic hernia. This disease is not uncommon in older people.

4. Inflammation of the pancreas, which is called the disease pancreatitis. The reason lies in the special structure of the gland, because it extends through the entire upper abdomen. It is the pancreas that is considered to be very prone to various inflammations, diseases, as well as cancer.

When the patient is concerned about pain in the left lower abdomen, the cause may be a common disease of appendicitis. It is necessary for every person to know that acute appendicitis needs an emergency operation, which involves the removal of an inflamed appendix from a patient. That is why, when you feel acute and sharp pain in your left side, you need to consult a good specialist. Treatment can only be given by a doctor. It can be conservative or medicinal, in severe cases - surgical. Usually, doctors who purposefully treat diseases that cause various abdominal pains are surgeons, gastroenterologists, infectious disease specialists, traumatologists and gynecologists.

Aching pain in the left side is a rather serious symptom. And it is necessary to treat discomfort responsibly. After all, the sources of pain can be malfunctions in the pancreas, spleen, liver, stomach, gallbladder and many other internal organs. Therefore, it is necessary to find out exactly what caused the aching pain in the left side.

Causes of the phenomenon

It is quite obvious that the aching pain in the left side is provoked by certain disorders of the internal organs. Unfortunately, too many different factors can cause such discomfort. Only a doctor can determine the true cause of pain. Therefore, one should not self-diagnose and attribute non-existent diseases to oneself. Go to the doctor's office to sort out the unpleasant situation.

Most often, aching pain in the left side is caused by diseases of the stomach, spleen, pancreas, diaphragm or intestines. And, therefore, in a patient experiencing excruciating discomfort, pathologies can be detected:

stomach;
spleen;
pancreas;
intestinal loops;
left side of the diaphragm.

Stomach problems

With gastritis or functional dyspepsia, any mucosal irritant will definitely cause pain. Discomfort can be caused by:

poor quality food;
alcohol;
excessive use of the drug "Aspirin".

In diseases of the stomach, the patient feels aching pain in the left side of the abdomen, in the upper region. Sometimes discomfort is not the only symptom that bothers the patient. The person may suffer from nausea and vomiting.

If gastritis has become the culprit of the pain, then the patient experiences significant relief after taking antacids that can reduce the acidity of the gastric environment.

But if the pain does not stop, then be sure to go to the doctor to rule out quite serious pathologies, such as an ulcer or cancer.

Spleen disease

Very often, aching pain in the left side under the ribs is provoked by this particular organ. After all, the spleen is located in the upper region of the peritoneum and is localized very close to the surface.

The pain may be caused by an enlarged spleen. In addition, after an injury to the peritoneum or some infectious pathologies, the organ may be prone to rupture. The spleen is extremely vulnerable because it is located very close to the surface of the body. Sometimes, as a result of infectious pathologies (for example, mononucleosis), the organ greatly increases in size, softens in consistency. In this case, the risk of its rupture increases even without external influence.

Symptoms that characterize the pathology:

severe pain in the abdomen;
high sensitivity in this area;
blue area around the navel due to a large accumulation of blood.

diaphragmatic hernia

The pain that has arisen in the left side, in front, in the upper abdomen may indicate a rather unpleasant phenomenon. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. Its structure implies a kind of opening through which the esophagus is connected to the stomach. In case of weakening of muscle tissues, the hole may increase. As a result, the upper part of the stomach begins to protrude from the peritoneum into the chest cavity. This pathology is called diaphragmatic hernia.

The dull pain that occurs with this pathology is often perceived as discomfort in the region of the heart, since the patient may experience discomfort high in the chest.

It is quite easy to distinguish between these pathologies. The pain provoked by a herniated diaphragm during flexion or in the supine position increases significantly. Cardiac discomfort "does not respond" to any movement of the body.

However, do not forget that only an experienced specialist can make a true diagnosis.

Intestinal pathologies

Discomfort in the left side can be triggered by inflammatory processes in the lower sections of the large intestine. Most often, patients experience more than just pain. The disease is accompanied by other symptoms:

violation of the chair;
bloating.

If intestinal inflammation is suspected, then the patient should refuse for several days:

fresh fruits and vegetables;
spicy, hot seasonings;
black bread;
milk.

As a rule, after a few days the patient's condition improves significantly. But if health has not improved, even despite the full adherence to the recommended diet, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

You may need to undergo a course of medical therapy.

Pancreas

Quite often, pain in the left abdomen provokes pancreatitis. This is inflammation of the pancreas. This organ can give discomfort to the central region, the right side. The reasons for this prevalence of painful symptoms lie in the very structure of the gland. The pancreas is stretched throughout the upper abdomen.

This organ is very often exposed to various inflammatory processes (pancreatitis). In addition, pancreatic cancer is common.

You can suspect a pathology in this organ by the nature of the pain:

left side stabs;
with pancreatitis, the discomfort is extremely sharp;
it can be shingles and even give to the back.

Often, the pathology is accompanied by hyperthermia, nausea, and vomiting.

Patients suffering from:

chronic alcoholism;
asthma;
diabetes mellitus;
oncology;
arthritis.

People need to follow a strict diet for several days to relieve pain. But in any case, in order to exclude repeated attacks, it is important to consult a doctor about the course of treatment.

Discomfort in the back

Pain in the left side can spread to various parts of the body. Sometimes discomfort occurs in the back. In this case, discomfort may appear in the morning or disturb for quite a long time. But there are times when the pain in the left side from the back becomes simply unbearable. Such discomfort makes it impossible to work, rest.

So, why does the left side hurt from the back? Sources of discomfort can be:

Pathologies of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pleurisy, lung or bronchial cancer, pneumothorax).
Heart disease (angina pectoris, aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, pericarditis).
Diseases of the urinary system (retroperitoneal hematoma, renal colic, arterial thrombosis).
Pathologies of the nervous system and spinal cord.

It is possible to determine the true cause of the pain only after the examination.

Types of pain

In addition, pay attention to the characteristics of discomfort:

Prolonged pain under the ribs may indicate damage to the kidney structures.
The pulsating nature of discomfort, aggravated by inhalation, is a symptom of the affected lung tissue.
Dull pain can signal an inflammatory process in the kidneys or spleen.
Intense girdle discomfort in the epigastric zone, radiating to the scapula, heart or lower part of the sternum, is a symptom of pancreatitis.
Acute pain, which increases significantly during exhalation, most often signals osteochondrosis or intercostal neuralgia.
Constant burning sensations in the sternum, periodic "lumbago" may indicate an aortic aneurysm.
Shooting, projection pain is often a sign of damage to the spinal cord and nervous system.

Men's diseases

Quite often, the representatives of the stronger sex experience excruciating pain. The left side, in the lower abdomen in men, is an area in which quite unpleasant diseases can occur. There can be many reasons for this discomfort. It is quite difficult to independently determine the source that provokes aching discomfort in the left side, so you should not postpone a visit to the doctor.

Consider what causes unpleasant pain. The left side, lower abdomen in men can be disturbed as a result of a number of factors. Sufficiently serious causes of discomfort are a hernia, inflammation of the testicles, a cyst, roughage, or inflammation of the pancreas.

Reinforced sports can also cause unpleasant discomfort in the left side. In this case, you shouldn't worry too much. Such pain indicates an unusual shaking for the internal organs. As a rule, the discomfort is tingling, pulling. You need to stop and take a breather. Better yet, skip one session.

A very common cause of pain in men is inflammation of the testicles. This pathology is caused by colds, sitting on cold benches or infection.

Causes of pain in women

Pregnant women often experience this discomfort. At the same time, aching pain in the left side of women appears from the 8th week. Peculiar sensations are associated with the growth of the fetus. At the same time, ligaments increase. Such reasons can provoke discomfort in the abdomen.

So, pain in women is most often caused by the following factors:

Stretching ligaments cause discomfort. This phenomenon is quite natural. The woman experiences pain of a aching nature. As a rule, discomfort after a certain time passes on its own. No pain medication should be used.
Left-sided pain discomfort may signal impaired functioning of the stomach. Very often, pregnant women become extremely selective in their taste preferences. Expectant mothers eat a lot of food and quite often. At the same time, they manage to combine completely incompatible products. Of course, it is better to try to be more selective in your diet.
Sometimes pain during pregnancy is provoked by a malfunction of the pancreas. This is typical of women who do not follow a diet, are overly addicted to fatty, meat foods, smoke or drink alcohol. In such a situation, you must immediately rush to the doctors. These violations can adversely affect the health of the baby.
The source of pain in the left side can be very serious. Such discomfort is one of the symptoms of placental abruption. Only timely diagnosis can save the baby. In this case, miscarriages often occur.

If a pregnant woman has pain, you should immediately contact your gynecologist, carefully describing all the painful symptoms. The best solution would be an ultrasound. This will make sure that the baby is not in danger.

Conclusion

If there is pain in the left abdomen in an adult or a child, it is imperative to consult a doctor. After all, any pathology, even appendicitis, can become a source of discomfort. Do not delay your visit to the doctor. Remember: a negligent attitude towards your health and the condition of your loved ones has never led to good things. Therefore, when pain occurs, do not rush to take analgesics or antispasmodics. Go to the doctor to find out the true reason that causes such discomfort.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones!

With pain, the body signals organic or functional problems. According to the location and sensations of the patient, it is possible to diagnose the cause of its occurrence. Pain in the projection of the left iliac and hypochondrium bones, the left side at the level of the waist and the left side of the back from behind should be attributed to this localization.

Types of pain

According to the sensations caused, the types of pain are classified as follows:

sharp, sharp;
stupid character;
aching;
stabbing sensations;
pulsating;
pulling.

Depending on the cause of pain, classification is possible:

Visceral- due to spasms and sprains of organs. It can be both dull and aching, and spasmodic.
Peritoneal- appears due to irritation of the peritoneum. Characterized by sharpness and sharpness.
Reflected- appears as a result of irradiation from a pathological organ.

Causes

The causes of pain in the left side are represented by a rather large list of diseases:

diaphragmatic hernia;
diseases of the stomach;
problems with the spleen;
urological pathology;
pancreatic problems;
bowel disease;
gynecological pathology;
neuralgia;
heart diseases;
spinal problems;
respiratory diseases;
traumatic organ damage.

Symptoms

acute pain in the left side, lasting more than half an hour, is a good reason to call an ambulance and a symptom of such serious conditions as ulcer perforation, intestinal perforation, renal colic, rupture of the spleen. If the pain is due to an injury, organ damage and internal bleeding should be ruled out.

Dull and aching pain- a common symptom of a large number of chronic diseases, inflammation, and sometimes even oncology and pre-infarction conditions.

For tingling sensations, in particular in the hypochondrium on the left, it is necessary to exclude cardiac ischemia, similar symptoms are given by renal and intestinal colic, neuralgia.

Throbbing pain in the left side appears with inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis, and is also a sign of gynecological diseases: ectopic pregnancy, cyst rupture, adnexitis.

Drawing pains often occur in diseases of the spleen and reproductive system.

Pain when walking occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the respiratory diaphragm. Often the reason for this is the expansion of the intestine (after eating, drinking), in which it puts pressure on this organ.

Pain under the ribs

The list of pathologies with localization of pain in the region of the left hypochondrium is extensive.

Stomach diseases

With gastritis, aching pain occurs, more often after eating, it is accompanied by belching with an unpleasant taste, nausea, heartburn, sometimes vomiting, upset stool.
With gastric ulcer, the symptoms are similar, but the degree of its severity is higher. Discomfort, sour belching, nausea and vomiting occur after eating. A serious complication - perforation of the ulcer, causes unbearable acute pain, the patient turns pale, loss of consciousness is possible.
Tumors of the stomach manifest themselves as dull pains in the left side. They become permanent and do not depend on food intake. The disease is accompanied by dyspepsia, sudden weight loss, black stools and vomit.

Diseases of the pancreas

Damage to the pancreas is characterized by intense pain in the epigastrium and in the left side, as well as the reflection of sensations in the back.
Inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis, has symptoms such as fever, vomiting with bile, a bitter taste in the mouth, the release of light feces and dark urine. In the chronic course of the disease, dull pain is possible if the diet is not followed.
Pancreatic tumors are characterized by progression of pain, obstructive jaundice due to blockage of the bile ducts by the tumor, colorless feces, itching of the skin.

Spleen pathologies

With an enlarged spleen, pain is felt as a result of stretching of the organ capsule. This occurs with leukemia, mononucleosis, anemia. In the clinical picture there are migraines, sweating, pain when swallowing, the presence of enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes is characteristic. As a result of these diseases, the spleen becomes loose, prone to damage and rupture. Abdominal injuries also lead to this. When ruptured, acute unbearable pain is observed, the skin of the abdomen in the navel area acquires a blue tint.

Diaphragmatic hernia

With such a pathology, the sensations are aching, dull in nature, their cause is the ingestion of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus due to the weakness of the muscular tissue of the diaphragm. It is more common in the elderly, may be the result of obesity, heavy physical exertion.

Respiratory system diseases

Left-sided pneumonia and left-sided pleurisy cause unexpressed dull pain in the left side. Pneumonia is characterized by fever, dry cough with strong stabbing sensations in the chest.

For pleurisy, the following feature is characteristic - the position of the patient on the sore side reduces pain. The disease is accompanied by fever, usually in the evening, cough, shortness of breath, blue skin of the face and extremities, protrusion of the spaces between the ribs.

Cardiovascular diseases

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are also the cause of pain under the ribs on the left.

Cardiomyopathy, as a result of organic or functional changes in the heart muscle, is characterized by aching pain, often appearing with physical exertion, arrhythmia.
Due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium), its ischemia occurs. The body signals this with intense pain. Ischemic disease has the following symptoms: shortness of breath, arrhythmia, burning and pressure in the chest.
Stitching pain in the left side with a reflection in the shoulder blade and left arm - a clinic of myocardial infarction and requires urgent medical attention.

Intercostal neuralgia

It is a consequence of pain of a different nature - paroxysmal or constant, aching or stabbing, shooting and burning. Due to compression of the nerves, it can be both in the chest and in the back on the left. Requires differentiation of the diagnosis with ischemic disease. Sensations in the region of the ribs are aggravated by breathing, sneezing, coughing.

Pathologies of the spine

Rheumatoid lesions of the connective articular tissue are characterized by the occurrence of pain under the ribs on the left. A similar syndrome can be observed with muscular dystrophy associated with a weakening of the abdominal muscles.
Osteochondrosis and sciatica with pinched nerves of the spinal cord can also give clear pain signals in this area.

Injuries

Mechanical damage to soft, bone and cartilage tissues can also cause pain in the left hypochondrium. They often occur with strong external physical influences (shocks, falls) and can be of varying severity - from a small bruise, accompanied by a hematoma, to cracks and fractures of the ribs that can provoke ruptures of internal organs and tissues.

Abdominal pain

kidney disease

Pain in the left side at waist level is often caused by kidney disease. With pyelonephritis (inflammation) of the left kidney, the stomach can hurt both intensely and slightly. There is fever, weakness, chills.

Urolithiasis disease

At the time of the attack (renal colic) causes a sharp intense pain on the left, which radiates to the back. There are problems with urination.

In this area, the intestines can also be disturbed, but pains in the left iliac part are still more characteristic of it.

Lower abdominal pain

In the left lower abdomen, the appearance of pain occurs as a result of the following pathologies.

Bowel disease

They are characterized by aching, pulling or cramping pain.

With colitis and enteritis (inflammation of the large and small intestines), diarrhea, bloating, tenesmus, flatulence, nausea, vomiting are noted, with exacerbation, the temperature may rise, mucus and pus may be released with feces.
Pain on the left is also explained by the inability to absorb certain products in the small intestine (malabsorption) or the rejection of gluten, gluten (celiac disease). A common symptom is weight loss, asthenia, rumbling in the abdomen, frequent light-colored frothy stools. Celiac disease usually develops in young children, but cases have been reported in adults.
With nonspecific ulcerative colitis, in addition to pain, frequent liquid or mushy stools with the presence of blood and mucus, fever, weakness, and asthenia persist for a long time. In this inflammatory disease, ulcers form on the intestinal mucosa.
Crohn's disease has similar symptoms, but is more severe because the inflammation also affects the deep layers of the intestinal wall, tends to affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. The danger of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is in possible bleeding and perforation of the intestinal walls. Therefore, with increased pain and bleeding, you need to urgently go to the hospital.
With oncology of the intestine, the pains are not very pronounced, but gradually increase, a common symptom is prolonged constipation, since the neoplasm interferes with the movement of feces. There is often blood in the stool.
With intestinal obstruction, pain is pronounced, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fecal masses are disturbing. Complete obstruction is a life-threatening condition due to poisoning of the body and fecal peritonitis.
With intestinal diverticulosis, the formation of diverticulum sacs occurs, which interferes with the passage of feces, the pains are paroxysmal in nature, there is blood in the feces.
With irritable bowel syndrome, pain can be of a different nature: cramping, aching, periodic, constant. The reason here is in functional disorders of motor skills, there is no organic pathology. Bloating, rumbling, flatulence, painful tenesmus are characteristic. Often the pain subsides after a bowel movement.

Gynecological diseases

In such cases, pulling and aching pains are often disturbed, which are accompanied by irradiation to the lower back, buttocks, perineum, menstrual irregularities.

Adnexitis (inflammation of the ovary) is characterized by fever (in an acute form), aching or shooting pains from the ovary, heavy periods, cycle disorders.
Drawing pains in the left side often cause ovarian cysts. Especially dangerous in this case is torsion or rupture of its capsule. With torsion, the blood supply to the ovary is disrupted, which the body reports with severe pain. When a cyst ruptures, its contents spill into the pelvic area, symptoms of peritoneal irritation, peritoneal pain appear, and there is a danger of peritonitis.
An ectopic pregnancy is manifested by dull pain in the abdomen, sharpness suddenly increases with rupture of the fallopian tube - a life-threatening complication. Bleeding may occur. The accompanying symptoms are similar to those of pregnancy: nausea, engorgement of the mammary glands, pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. There is often bleeding.
Endometriosis can also give aching pains of varying intensity, depending on the location of the endometrioid lesions. Pain is aggravated during menstruation, menstruation is usually heavy and prolonged. It is possible to release blood outside of menstruation and after intercourse.
Oncology of the uterus and ovary causes pulling pains in the abdomen.

Urological diseases

In men, aching pain in the left side with irradiation to the anus can cause inflammation of the prostate. With prostatitis, pain may occur during urination and defecation.
Cystitis and urethritis can contribute to the appearance of pain on the left, discomfort during urination, burning, itching, blood in the urine.

Pain during pregnancy

During pregnancy, moderate soreness in the left side is not a pathology. It is explained by the growth of the body of the uterus, which compresses and interferes with the work of nearby organs. Soreness can occur due to uterine contractions due to a lack of progesterone.

It is urgent to seek medical help if the pain intensifies, becomes sharp, unusual discharge from the genital tract appears, the temperature rises, urination and defecation are disturbed. Such signs may indicate a threat of termination of pregnancy or premature birth, the pathology of internal organs.

back pain

Pain in the back in the left side is reflected, for example, in myocardial infarction, when pain from the heart radiates to the shoulder blade.
With kidney disease: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, pain also manifests itself in the back, in the lumbar region.
The gynecological diseases described above also often radiate to the lower back.
Osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, sciatica can cause intense back pain on the left, it can be cutting, aching, paroxysmal, and also shooting. Increases with physical exertion, bending over, unbending the trunk.

Treatment

To get rid of excruciating pain in the left side and prevent it from becoming chronic, you need to correctly determine its cause. To do this, you need to consult a doctor. Why the left side hurts, the following experts will help you figure it out:

Therapist;
Gastroenterologist;
Urologist;
Gynecologist;
Infectionist;
Neurologist.

After analyzing the nature and localization of pain, the doctor will make an initial diagnosis and prescribe the necessary examinations:

blood, urine, stool tests;
Ultrasound of the heart, abdominal organs and small pelvis;
fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
fibrocolonoscopy;
fluorography;
x-ray;

After examining the results of the research, the doctor will prescribe a conservative or surgical treatment.

If the pain in the left side is acute, you should immediately seek emergency medical attention. A large number of diseases with this localization pose a serious threat to human health and life and require urgent surgical treatment.