Why does the left side hurt and what to do about it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker collected 16 common causes, including deadly ones.

Let's say right away: pain in the left side is a common and most often safe thing. However, you should not leave it unattended. Sometimes even minor discomfort on the left side can signal serious illness.

When to call an ambulance

Call an ambulance immediately if:

• Acute or dull pain on the left side of the chest radiates to the left arm, shoulder, jaw.
• Perceptible pain is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 38, 8 ° C and above.
• Sudden sharp pain is concentrated in one point and does not stop for several minutes or longer.
• The stomach hurts badly (both to the left and at any other point), and relief comes only when you lie still on your back.
• The pain does not subside over time, but, it seems, even intensifies.
• It is accompanied by vomiting. The situation is especially threatening if there is blood in the contents of the stomach.
• The pain is sharp, it is impossible to urinate.
• Stools are black or streaked with blood.
• The abdomen is tense, even the lightest touch is painful.
• In the lower abdomen - severe pulling or stabbing pain, and at the same time you are pregnant or do not exclude it.
• Shortly before the onset of severe pain, there was a blow to the stomach or ribs.

When to go to the doctor faster

Schedule a visit to a therapist for the near future if:

• Pain in the left side is insignificant, but it disturbs regularly, making itself felt for a week or longer.
• Perceptible pain appears and disappears, and this condition lasts longer than 1–2 days, or is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, or it becomes more and more painful.
• A pulling sensation in the left side of the abdomen is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, diarrhea that lasts longer than a couple of days, or (option for women) bloody vaginal discharge.
• In addition to the discomfort in your left side, you notice that you are losing weight for no apparent reason.

Why does the left side hurt

There are dozens of answers. The stomach, spleen, pancreas, large and small intestines, as well as the left lung and kidney, bladder, uterus and ovaries in women can hurt.

A separate song is the heart, which is displaced to the left: failures in its work often make themselves felt by reflected pains in the left side of the body.

However, discomfort does not always mean illness. These are the most common causes of pain in the left side, both in the abdomen and in the hypochondrium.

1. Increased gas production

When the food that we ate and digested in the stomach enters the small intestine, bacteria are taken over to break it down. During operation, they emit carbon dioxide and other gases. If there is too much gas in the intestines, the pressure rises. The sections of the intestine expand, press on the nerve endings located around it. This causes bloating and pain.

What to do about it

To begin with, find out the cause of flatulence. Most often, it is simple: you overeat, lean on fatty foods, or, for example, eat too quickly, swallowing air. Try to reconsider your diet and eating habits:

• eat more slowly;
• chew food thoroughly;
• avoid foods that increase gas production - processed foods, fast food, cabbage, carrots, and so on.

If bloating is bothering you on a regular basis, consult a gastroenterologist. Perhaps the problem is in the intestinal microflora: you have bacteria that release gas too actively. In this case, the doctor will prescribe prebiotics that will help normalize the microflora.

2. Constipation

Lack of stool can cause discomfort and sometimes pain in the intestines. This is usually due to a lack of fiber or fluid.

What to do about it

Drink plenty of water and eat foods that contain fiber, such as leafy vegetables, whole grain breads, bran, legumes, and hard fruits. You can take a laxative by consulting a therapist.

If constipation becomes regular, talk about it with your doctor - the same therapist, gastroenterologist or nutritionist. Most likely, you will be asked to reconsider your diet.

3. Strong physical activity

You ran fast or jumped too vigorously, swam, and so on. Exercise increases blood flow. If it is excessive, the blood overflows the spleen. The organ increases in size and begins to press on its own shell-capsule, which contains nerve endings. This is how the famous "pricks in the left side" appears.

By the way, the no less famous "pricks in the right side" has similar reasons, only the liver overflows with blood.

What to do about it

To get rid of the pain in the side caused by physical activity, simply slow down the pace and wait until breathing becomes even.

For the future: do not start an active workout without a warm-up. Try to keep a comfortable pace and do not demand extra efforts from the body.

4. Muscle pain

Maybe they did active crunches in training and overdid it. Maybe we sat in a draft. Or maybe you have poor posture, stress, or an autoimmune disease. Myalgia, that is, muscle pain, has dozens of causes.

What to do about it

If the pain in the side appeared after exercise or, for example, after you, sweating, sat under the air conditioner, you can simply endure it. To relieve the condition, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen.

But if the unpleasant sensations do not go away for 3-4 days, intensify, or if you have no idea about their causes, be sure to visit a therapist. The doctor will clarify the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

5. Trauma

For example, they slipped and fell on their left side. Or you were hit in the stomach or in the ribs.

What to do about it

Perhaps you escaped with only a slight bruise. Although such injuries cause discomfort, they heal quite quickly on their own.

But if after the blow you feel severe sharp pain, weakness, tinnitus, or suspect that a rib may be broken, call an ambulance immediately. Or contact the emergency room if it is nearby.

6. Periods

During or in front of your period, your lower abdomen may hurt. Including in the left part of it, sometimes giving it to the back.

What to do about it

Menstrual pain, while unpleasant, is not dangerous. You can just endure it. Or take an over-the-counter pain reliever - based on the same ibuprofen.

Does not help? Yes, unfortunately, this also happens. See your gynecologist: the doctor will choose stronger pain relievers or prescribe hormonal oral contraceptives that reduce discomfort.

7. Endometriosis or ovarian cyst

These diseases can be recognized by pulling pains in the pelvic region - both on the left and on the right. The sensations are similar to menstrual cramps, but can appear at any time. With such violations, menstruation lengthens and becomes more painful.

What to do about it

If there is even the slightest suspicion of a disease of the reproductive system, get examined by a gynecologist.

It is important to make the correct diagnosis on time, sometimes life depends on it. For example, rupture of a large ovarian cyst can cause uterine bleeding and death from blood loss. Don't risk it.

8. Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is said to be when a fertilized egg is attached not to the uterus, but to the fallopian tube, cervix, ovary, or other place in the abdominal cavity. Sooner or later, the growing embryo tears apart the organ to which it has attached. This can lead to severe and fatal bleeding and peritonitis.

What to do about it

If you are pregnant or suspect it, then any acute pain in the lower abdomen, especially if it is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, bloody discharge and does not go away within a few minutes, is a definite reason to call an ambulance.

9. Inflammation of the intestinal mucosa

There are many possible causes of inflammation. Here are the most common ones:

• Viral or bacterial infections. They can be obtained by eating something expired or by taking a sip of dirty water, for example.
• Food and alcohol poisoning.
• Taking antibiotics, especially if you bought them without consulting your doctor. As a reminder, don't do this!
• Parasites. The same worms, helminths.
• Various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, hepatitis.

In addition to pain, inflammatory bowel lesions are accompanied by nausea, prolonged diarrhea or constipation, bloating, and fever.

What to do about it

See a gastroenterologist. Treatment depends on the diagnosis, which can only be made by a qualified doctor. In some cases - for example, with rotavirus (aka intestinal flu) - it is enough to lie down and observe the drinking regime. Other situations will require taking antibiotics or other medications.

10. You have stones or other kidney disease

Urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, and other renal disorders manifest themselves as sudden excruciating pain in the lower abdomen. Such pain clearly radiates to the lower back and then intensifies, then weakens.

What to do about it

If you suspect a kidney problem, do not hesitate to visit a nephrologist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary medications. In some cases, surgery will be needed, and it is in your best interest to have it done as quickly as possible.

11. Pneumonia or pleurisy

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, and pleurisy is inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the lungs. Most often, these diseases are caused by bacteria or viruses.

Recognizing lung lesions is easy: acute chest pain occurs with deep breathing or coughing. Additional symptoms: fever, weakness, chills, difficulty breathing.

What to do about it

If the temperature rises above 38 ° C, it is difficult and painful for you to breathe, you are constantly coughing - you need to urgently call a doctor at home. In other cases, you can get to the therapist yourself.

12. Appendicitis

In most cases, inflammation of the appendix makes itself felt with pain in the right side. However, sometimes pain occurs in the upper left abdomen.

What to do about it

If the causes of dull pain on the left are unknown to you, but at the same time you notice bloating, loss of appetite, fever - be sure to consult a therapist as soon as possible.

Call an ambulance immediately if other symptoms are added:

• growing pain;
• vomit;
• severe weakness, cold clammy sweat;
• cardiopalmus.

They may indicate that the appendicitis has turned into an acute form, that is, the appendix has ruptured. This condition requires immediate surgical intervention.

13. Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta

The aorta is the main blood vessel in the abdomen that runs down from the heart. When it enlarges and swells up, it is called an aneurysm. This happens mainly in older people, especially in smokers.

Typically, an aneurysm has no obvious symptoms. But sometimes pain is felt when the dilated vessel compresses the internal organs. If an aneurysm ruptures, the person may die from internal bleeding.

What to do about it

At home, it is almost impossible to determine an aortic aneurysm; the diagnosis is made only with the help of computed tomography. Therefore, if you regularly feel a dull pain in the abdomen (it does not really matter, on the left or on the right), and especially if it is accompanied by pulsation, go to the therapist. The doctor will refer you to the necessary examinations.

When the aorta ruptures, the person feels sudden, severe pain in the abdomen or back. Immediately thereafter, collapse occurs - a life-threatening condition where blood pressure drops and the blood supply to organs deteriorates. In this case, you need to call an ambulance without wasting a second.

14. Diverticulitis

Diverticula are small sacs-like bulges in the lower part of the colon. They occur in many people over the age of 40 and most often do not bother.

But sometimes diverticula become inflamed - a process called diverticulitis. And in some cases, they can break, which entails serious complications: perforation of the intestinal walls, abscess, peritonitis, intestinal obstruction …

What to do about it

If you experience unexplained pain in the left lower abdomen, and especially if it is accompanied by fever, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea, be sure to check with your gastroenterologist. If diverticulitis is confirmed, you will be prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers. In some cases, surgery may be required.

15. Heart problems

Pain - sharp or dull - in the left side can also cause various heart disorders, from angina pectoris to heart attack.

What to do about it

If you are regularly worried about pain in the left hypochondrium, radiating to the shoulder or arm, in no case do not leave them unattended. Be sure to consult at least a therapist or immediately contact a cardiologist.

Sharp pain in the left hypochondrium, accompanied by weakness, breathing problems, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, is an unambiguous indication for an immediate ambulance call. We can talk about a heart attack, and here every second counts.

16. One of the types of cancer

Unfortunately, cancer of the intestine, stomach, pancreas in the initial stages almost do not make themselves felt. They can be noticed except for some abdominal discomfort, mild symptoms of indigestion, unexplained weight loss.

What to do about it

Be attentive to any incomprehensible sensations in the left side (however, not only in the left side). If they become regular, be sure to consult with a therapist or gastroenterologist and go through all the examinations prescribed by them.