The left side hurts what it is. Digestive pain - pain zones

Date: 30.03.2019

Soreness in the left side is noted in women more often than in men due to the structural features of the genitourinary system.

Discomfort can occur with a 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 pain are many diseases, ranging from problems with organs of the gastrointestinal tract, spine, genitourinary organs, and 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 the true cause of the disorder with great accuracy.

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

Causes of pain

Most often, the causes of unpleasant sensations 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 effect on the entire system in terms of digestion. Pain can give out throughout the stomach. It can especially intensify in the side after some time after eating.
Education in the kidneys. These include malignant and benign tumors, stone deposits, cysts.
Irritable intestines. It causes discomfort in the abdomen; it can have reasons such as nervous irritability.
Pathology of the spleen. Neoplasms, organ infarction cannot be excluded.
Intestinal diverticulitis. Represents 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 stomach.
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 in parts of the abdomen and lower back.
Pinched nerve roots. In this case, the stomach often hurts, discomfort is given to the parties and the patient may misinterpret their symptoms.

The cardiovascular system:

Myocardial infarction.
Severe tachycardia.

All of these diseases can cause pain in the left side or give to the stomach. Most often have a zoster 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 the onset of the inflammatory process 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, the launch of certain physiological processes.

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

In extreme cases, it is possible to 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 cancer processes. These include:

Cancer of the uterine tubes.
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 cannot eliminate on its own.

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

That is why it is necessary to visit a doctor in case of systematic pain 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, there may be some malfunction in the process. A weakened egg, which has already passed the stage of fertilization, for some reason cannot reach the uterus for complete subsidence in its cavity.

As a result, the egg can attach 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 realize 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 resulting abdominal pain on the left as signs of an inflammatory process.

The true causes are established already in the event of bleeding. After a rupture of the fallopian tube, a woman’s life is in great danger and urgent medical attention is required.

Pathology can occur and cause pain for the following reasons:

The use of intrauterine devices.
Tubal obstruction.
Regular hormonal disruptions.
The presence of oncology in the area adjacent to the uterus.
Obesity.

Pathology in women has the following symptoms:

Fever.
Weak bloody discharge from the genital tract, which occurs at any other time than menstruation, causes abdominal pain.
Severe toxicosis.
Acute pain in left or right side.

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

Ovarian rupture

The disease in women occurs due to destructive processes in the ovary. With the abrasion of symptoms or the absence of timely medical care, an organ rupture occurs.

An acute girdle pain appears in the abdomen, depending on which side the ovary has suffered, that side will hurt.

The risk of profuse bleeding increases, since large blood vessels suffer along the way with a rupture. 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 ovarian pathologies that were triggered by the use of hormonal drugs or a violation of the general hormonal background.
Injuries of the left abdomen from below.
Inflammation of the chronic nature of the urogenital sphere.
Powerful hormonal failure.

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

The pains are manifested by pulsating acute attacks, begin from the left side and give to the entire abdomen, lower back. The difference is that with appendicitis it hurts in the right side.

If severe pain occurs in the left side, an ambulance must be called. There is a high probability of death due to a 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 this ovary most likely suffered.

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

The menstrual cycle becomes unusually long.
Severe aching pains appear 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.

Abdominal pain in women reaches its maximum at a time when the cyst grows to large sizes and begins to abscess.

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

Among the causes of cysts and pain in the left abdomen are the following factors:

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.
Acceptance of highly toxic medications.
Early abortions and frequent miscarriages.
Violations in the process of maturation of follicles.

The disease requires a diagnosis and 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 pain in the left abdomen.

Torsion of the ovary and uterine tubes

In medical practice, torsion refers to a complicated pathological condition of internal organs, in which there is a change in the normal location 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 the formation 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 structural features of the gastrointestinal tract.
Changes in the structure and size of the ovary. Joining cysts, tumors cause an additional load on the ligaments, and the normal location of the ovary becomes impossible.
Sprains that relate to the fallopian tubes.

With prekrut there is a compression of blood vessels, nerve fibers, which is the cause of severe pain.

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

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

Endometriosis

The development of the disease is characterized by excessive proliferation of the epithelium, which over time affects not only the uterine cavity, but also nearby organs, 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 precursors to the development of the pathological process:

Prolonged inflammation in the genital area.
Diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Autoimmune pathologies.
Persistent immune disorders, high frequency of viral diseases. The inability of the immune system to reject the excess epithelium.
Multiple cervical cauterization procedures.
Abortions at an early age (up to the age of 18).
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 disease, a woman may feel pulling pains in the left abdomen.

The intensification of 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 body to the pathological process, loss of consciousness, a feeling of weakness and weakness are possible.

Uterine ligament rupture

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 (connective tissue of the uterus).

A disposing factor for weak ligaments is elastin and collagen deficiency.

These substances give the muscles and ligaments special elasticity, preventing the likelihood of them breaking.

Similar ligament injuries often occur in athletes who are involved in weightlifting. Rupture of 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 uterus

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

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

The structure of the female reproductive system is such that conditionally pathogenic microorganisms are initially present on its mucosa, which can actively multiply during periods of decreased 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 is pulling or cutting in nature.
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. Repeated 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 consist of the following manipulations:

Inspection and palpation. If severe pain is present, palpation can lead to loss of consciousness of the patient.
Ultrasound and MRI studies.
Blood and urine collection for laboratory tests.
Consultation of one or several narrow specialists: surgeon, proctologist, gynecologist, gastroenterologist.

Each gynecological disease requires compulsory 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. Includes the use of medicines, herbal remedies, the implementation of all the recommendations of a specialist.
Physiotherapeutic. Restoration of the reproductive system using special medical equipment.

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

Herbal preparations are used only as adjunctive therapy; they are not effective in a single dose against inflammation. At the end of therapy, the 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 affected woman.

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

The sooner assistance is provided, the less likely cardinal surgical decisions are.

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

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

Useful video

Why the left side hurts can be explained by the development of so many diseases and pathologies. Discomfort and pain are associated with diseases of those organs that are located in the left hypochondrium. it spleen , left side of the diaphragm, part of the stomach , pancreas , bowel loops , left kidney pole . With a violation of the functions of these organs, cramps, spasms and pain occur in this area.

Pain in the left side of the abdomen - what does it happen?

Initially, the boundaries of the hypochondrium should be determined. This is the left side of the abdomen - the left quadrant at the top, which is located under the ribs. Accordingly, what exactly hurts in this part of the abdomen in a man, woman or child, and which doctor needs to be consulted, can be determined by the nature of the pain, the period and circumstances of its appearance. If the pain manifests itself in the upper abdomen in the center and gives to the left side, we can talk about the development of various diseases.

Stitching pain that occurs during exercise

Those who are interested in why it hurts while running, and whether it is dangerous, should take into account that a similar symptom is also observed in healthy people. If tingling only periodically develops with movement, that is, with active physical activity, then this phenomenon can be considered normal. Such symptoms quickly disappear and they only indicate that an adult or a child did not warm up enough before the start of sports and moved very sharply.

Before starting classes, it is necessary to conduct a thorough warm-up so that the body gradually adapts to the activation of blood circulation. Stitching pain sometimes develops with too active walking, which can be prevented by slowing down.

This condition is not dangerous if it only pricks during exercise and this happens to healthy people who do not suffer from heart ailments. However, even healthy people who are straining too much, with the development of such sensations need to stop and relax, take a deep breath. When exhaling, you should press the palm of your hand to the place where the pain develops, and lean sharply forward. Repeat these steps several times.

It is also important to ensure that when the lesson takes place, the breath is deep, as with shallow breathing small diaphragm excursions.

Severe sharp pain on the left can also be noted if a person began training after eating. It is important that after eating at least an hour and a half has passed before the start of classes, since the digestive system must cope with the digestion process.

Dagger sharp pain

Acute pain after injury

If the occurrence of pain in this area is noted when inhaling after an injury, accident, fall, then there is a possibility that a person has seriously damaged internal organs. In this case, it is important to immediately contact specialists, since there is a likelihood of a life threat.

Dull aching pain in the left side

Spilled, aching pain, which manifests itself over a long time and occurs periodically, may be a sign of the development of a chronic disease of the digestive tract. There is probably inflammation in the stomach - as well as pancreatitis , and others. To determine what can hurt in the left side, or to exclude the development of pathologies, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist, conduct analyzes and studies. Also, drawing pain in the left hypochondrium develops with some blood pathologies , bacterial infections , sepsis , systemic diseases .

It's a dull pain

If the hypochondrium is constantly aching, pulling, then the causes of heaviness under the ribs can be associated with development duodenitis or sluggish. If at the same time the patient immediately has nausea and vomiting, then we can talk about the probability.

If the pain is not associated with problems in the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, we can assume coronary heart disease .

Causes of pain in the hypochondrium on the left

Thus, in answering the question of what can hurt in the left hypochondrium, the following reasons should be mentioned:

cardiomyopathy , heart damage , heart attack ;
gastrointestinal diseases - cholecystitis , ulcer , gastritis , pancreatitis , duodenitis , colitis ;
enlargement or rupture of the spleen;
tumors of internal organs ;
spleen infarction due to arterial thrombosis ;
rheumatic manifestations;
diaphragm injury diaphragmatic hernia ;
left pleurisy , and left-sided pneumonia developing at the bottom of the left lung.

It should be borne in mind that a person has in the hypochondrium, as well as the nature of the pain (giving to the back, aching, stitching, just heavy or unpleasant sensations) as well as factors that could determine the development of such pain (after eating, when inhaling during physical exercises, etc.).

The hypochondrium in front of a woman can hurt. In this condition, pain also appears in the left hypochondrium from behind from the back due to the strong pressure of the enlarged uterus on the internal organs. Sometimes expectant mothers complain of occasionally stabbing in the side.

Pain in the left hypochondrium in the front can also be associated with previous injuries - in this case, you may feel discomfort in the front or dull pain in the front, and strong, diffuse pains. In this case, the doctor should immediately determine the cause.

Pain in the left side under the ribs, the mechanism of occurrence

Why it hurts on the left side under the ribs also depends on the mechanism of development of such pain. This indicator serves as an additional sign in the diagnostic process, when the doctor tries to determine what hurts in the left side under the ribs, which is on the right and causes such sensations.

The following division of pain in this area is known:

Nature of pain

Features of manifestation

Reflected pain

Manifest as radiating from organs located far away. It can be a pain when left-sided pneumonia , heart attack , pleurite and others. Can give pain in the ribs on the left front, in the back behind, on both sides.

Visceral pain

Develop with bowel spasms or in case of violation stomach motility .

Also, visceral pain is characteristic of a state of stretching of the muscle fibers of the digestive tract. A person may complain that his stomach hurts, if the disease progresses, pain can be felt both in the center and on the right side. The patient sometimes complains that in the stomach gurgles, pulls on both sides.

Diaphragmatic hernia develops during pregnancy, in people with, with strong physical exertion. Also, such diseases often occur in people in old age amid weakening of the muscular system. In some cases, pinching of the stomach occurs, then there is a sharp cutting pain in the stomach and in the left hypochondrium, sometimes the pain in the stomach gives to the back.

Pain in intercostal neuralgia

Against the background of the development of neurological diseases, irritation or compression of the intercostal nerves can occur. When nerve cells are affected, in patients intercostal neuralgia pain can have a very wide range: cramping, throbbing, piercing, sometimes sharp or aching, dull or burning pains develop. A person complains that in the lumbar region, under the ribs, presses, tugs, numb, aching, baking. Such sensations intensify during breathing - a sigh, when inhaling, exhaling, as well as when coughing, pressing on some points on the back, chest, spine, with tension, changing body position.

With bouts of neuralgia, it tingles under the breast, periodic muscle twitching, pallor or redness of the skin, severe sweating are noted.

Patients with neuralgia are often interested in doctors, which is on the left side of a person, since the pain often gives off under the shoulder blade, it is felt under the heart, in the abdomen above, in the upper back under the shoulder blade, as well as in other places when pressed. There is a feeling that it cuts, “interferes” and twitches in different places.

Pain sensations occur at any time of the day, and in those places where the nerve pathways were damaged, numbness is noted.

In the area of \u200b\u200bthe heart, burning pain is not always associated precisely with cardiac pathologies, because a person from those that are under the heart can disturb a person. However, if aching pains appear on the left, under the left nipple, simultaneously with, nausea , heart palpitations , and this happens both during exercise and at rest, the development of heart disease can be suspected. The patient may feel heaviness and burning under the sternum. Similar symptoms may occur with coronary heart disease . If struck coronary arteries , there is a violation of the blood supply to the heart muscles, provoking the development of ischemia.

What hurts in the left side below the ribs is of interest to those who suffer cardiomyopathy . This is a series of diseases in which heart function is impaired, but is not noted. arterial hypertension , pathology of the valve apparatus , heart disease . In patients with cardiomyopathies, the heart muscle structurally changes. As a result, a person becomes more tired, colic and a feeling of pain develop during physical exertion.

Left pain in diseases of the spleen

With the manifestation of pain on the left, one can suspect that the spleen is disturbing a person.

Where is this organ located and how does it hurt? The spleen is fragile, easily tears, so pain develops with any pathological condition of this organ. If the spleen hurts, symptoms of a slight increase in it are difficult to detect, especially in people with overweight , since the spleen in a person is located deep in the hypochondrium on the left.

Splenomegaly (i.e. an enlargement of the spleen) is noted with infectious mononucleosis and other diseases, the causes of which are infectious lesions. But with this disease, the patient also manifests a temperature, , muscle pain, intoxication, swollen lymph nodes and liver.

In the body, the spleen performs various functions, being the largest lymph node, the thinnest blood filter and the largest conglomerate of reticuloendothelial tissue.

Spleen hypertrophy occurs if it performs its functions in enhanced mode due to infectious diseases , hemolytic anemia , diseases of the immune complexes . Its increase in size as a result of this sometimes is the answer to the question of why the spleen hurts in humans.

In addition, there are other reasons why the spleen hurts. The reasons for this may be a tumor, trauma, infiltration, developmental defects. The most acute pain is manifested after an injury or shock, which lead to rupture of this organ. What to do if this happens, the doctor should determine as soon as possible. With rupture of the spleen, cyanosis of the skin near the navel is also noted, the pain gives in the region of the back. Once such symptoms have been noted, emergency care must be called immediately.

Pain on the left with diseases of the pancreas and stomach

It should be remembered: if the left side of the abdomen hurts, it can be a symptom of ailments of the stomach and pancreas.

With gastritis

Manifestations occur in most people. The gastric mucosa is very sensitive to the action of irritants, which in modern food products contain a very large amount.

With gastritis, aching pain, belching, nausea develops in the hypochondrium, sometimes the abdomen rumbles, boils, there is a ripple. Epigastric pain, vomiting, a feeling of pressure, heaviness develop. The listed symptoms are manifested in the child and adult most often after eating. With gastritis, the patient is also concerned about pallor, dry mouth, a feeling of weakness, diarrhea , gas, bloating.

With gastric ulcer

Symptoms of this disease are similar to signs of gastritis. Symptoms depend on how severe the disease is. But with pain, as a rule, occurs after a meal.

With a patient's ulcer, not only severe colic, but also vomiting, loss of appetite, belching, heartburn, rumbling and gurgling in the stomach are disturbing.

At perforated ulcer colic in the lower abdomen and in the hypochondrium turn into a sudden dagger pain, which is why a person can lose consciousness.

For diseases of the pancreas

What is in a person in the left side under the ribs also worries people suffering. With this disease, strong girdle pain manifests itself on the left under the ribs above and slightly lower. This condition is characterized by vomiting with bile, bitterness in the mouth, and nausea. Sometimes the pain is so intense that a person has to sit bent over. Feces may lighten and urine darken.

If the disease turns into a chronic form, the pain is mainly disturbed after the abuse of junk food and alcohol. Oncological processes in the pancreas are very difficult to establish, since at the beginning of the disease the symptoms are almost not noticeable.

With oncological diseases of the digestive system

In the early stages, oncological processes can occur with mild symptoms. Therefore, different symptoms should be alarming, especially if they develop often or this happens in older people. Periodic tingling - if pulsating and tingling in the lower abdomen or higher, weakness, constant lack of appetite, anemia, rapid satiety, constant boiling and periodic pain in the stomach, regular alternation of diarrhea and constipation - all this is cause for concern. It is also necessary to immediately consult a doctor if a seal, lump appears in this area.

But if any of these symptoms manifests itself constantly, only a doctor should draw conclusions about the disease and prescribe treatment.

Pain in the hypochondrium in women

Unlike men, in women, such sensations can be the result of physiological processes. Sometimes stabs in the left side during pregnancy, before menstruation .

Why pricks in the left side of the lower abdomen during pregnancy, it is easy to explain the physiology of the future mother. A number of organs located in the left side of the lower abdomen are subjected to the pressure of an expanding uterus. Therefore, during pregnancy, especially in the later stages, periodic pains are noted, both in the upper and in the lower section of the hypochondrium. Sometimes the pain intensifies when the fetus moves. But, as a rule, it is easy. Boiling in the intestines may also bother; in the stomach it often rumbles.

It happens that in women, before the onset of menstruation, a lot is produced in the body sex hormones , resulting in a spasm of the bile ducts. A woman notes nausea and fullness, pain in the left abdomen. In this case, you need to consult a gynecologist.

What should be done in case of pain?

If pain in the left hypochondrium bothers the patient, and the diagnosis has not yet been established, you must first contact a therapist who can determine which specialist should be consulted next.

Sometimes an emergency call and subsequent hospitalization is required. So you need to act in the following cases:

with sudden sharp pains;
with aching pain that does not go away for one hour;
with stitching pain during movement, not passing about 30 minutes;
with dull pain and vomiting with impurities of blood.

Self-medication is unacceptable. It is especially important not to warm the hypochondrium with a heating pad, since such actions can aggravate the course of the disease. Cramping agents can disrupt the overall picture and complicate the diagnosis. The use of a cold compress is allowed.

Pain in the left side of the back, front, or lower abdomen is a symptom familiar to many. Throughout life, any person is faced with a similar problem. Pain is always a signal of trouble, and the pain on the left is associated with many internal organs and should not be ignored.

Conventionally, the anterior abdominal wall is divided into 9 squares, the left 3 squares comprise 3 departments: the upper (left hypochondrium), middle (left lateral) and lower (left iliac region). When pain is localized in one of them, they speak of pain in the left side. And it can occur in almost any department.

In the region of the left hypochondrium there are: the left lung, heart, left part of the diaphragm, stomach, 12 duodenum, pancreas, spleen. In addition, pain can occur here with lesions of the peripheral nervous system, with vegetative-vascular dystonia, from the ribs themselves during their injuries, and unpleasant sensations from the reproductive system are reflected here. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe waist in front is: the extension of the stomach, the tail of the pancreas, a segment of the liver, gall bladder, part of the loops of the small intestine, part of the left colon, behind them are the left kidney and left ureter. In the lower section, the kidney, ureter, stomach, pancreas, colon and small intestine, left ovary and appendages continue, in men - part of the prostate and appendages.

All types of pain are divided into 3 types:

Visceral - associated with impaired motility of the stomach and intestines, by nature more often blunt, but can be cramping, give to the shoulder, thigh, for example, with intestinal colic, flatulence.
Peritoneal - associated with irritation of the peritoneal receptors, their character is sharp or cutting, they always have their own localization, are constant in duration, react to stresses, intensifying. They are usually associated with tears, perforation of organs (perforation, the formation of a through hole) when the contents are poured into the surrounding tissue.
Reflected - occur during inflammatory changes and appear with irritation of organ tissue (bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis, etc.).

According to the severity of pain there are cutting, stitching, pulling, aching, dull, intense, moderate, weak, long and short-lived.

The exact cause can only be determined by a doctor, but you can try to understand which organ the pain belongs to.

Left side discomfort

Pain in the back in the left side can be caused by a spasm of the muscles, blood vessels in the organs, pinching of the roots of the nerves, etc.

Pain on the left under the ribs from the back from the back with myocardial infarction is a symptom that is also characteristic of angina pectoris, myocarditis, aortic aneurysm (in the form of backache), pericarditis and especially for myocardial infarction.

Drawing pains in the left side are the harbingers of the pre-infarction state, when they become intense, sharp, it hurts under the ribs on the left, there is irradiation to the shoulder blade, back, left shoulder and even to the jaw; there is tachycardia, a drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath, cold clammy sweat, fear of death, loss of consciousness. All this indicates the development of myocardial infarction.

The appearance of pain in the back behind and left while eating is a pathology of the digestive system. If the pain is localized lower, at the level of the lower back, cholecystitis can be suspected (pain in it gives to the right shoulder, nausea, vomiting, numbness of the extremities are possible), inflammation of the pancreas.

Rashes and pain in the left side at the waist level can be with herpetic lichen. Urinary tract dysfunction can also cause back pain from the back: renal artery thrombosis, renal colic, ICD, inflammation of the kidneys, in particular pyelonephritis (the pain is dull, aching, accompanied by weakness, nausea, temperature may rise). Often the appearance of urine changes - it can be cloudy, with flakes and an unpleasant smell and color, urination becomes more frequent, swelling appears in the morning.

Blood diseases (leukemia), adrenal tumors can give dull pain of a prolonged nature in the lumbar region from the back. Pinching of the nerve roots with radiculitis causes pain in the back during inhalation, often accompanied by numbness of the fingers and toes.

When pain is disturbed to the left under the ribs from behind from the back, which occurs more often, you need to examine the spine: do an X-ray and ultrasound, if necessary, MRI, CT. With pathology of the spine, there is a risk of becoming disabled, so a visit to a neurologist is mandatory.

Pain in the back left behind and below during exhalation and during movement can be a sign of osteochondrosis, myositis. Pain in the lower back to the left behind can be with intestinal oncology, with colitis, intestinal obstruction.

If pain in the left side from the back is disturbing in the iliac region, this is a sign of gynecological problems. In women, back pain in the side can be a harbinger of PMS, it can be pulling, aching. In these cases, No-shpa is often taken and a heating pad is placed on the aching spot. Examination for any localization of pain should be complete: x-ray, ultrasound of the internal organs, MRI, CT, blood tests.

Pain in the left side in front

Similar pains can be caused by the following pathological changes:

If there is discomfort under the ribs, then this can be an aortic aneurysm (burning and prolonged pains, localized closer to the shoulder, systematically shoot in the back), diaphragmatic hernias, pancreatitis, pathologies of the cardiovascular system of the respiratory system.
Cardiomyopathies after tonsillitis, tonsillitis. With them, it hurts in the left side under the ribs, pain occurs during exertion, the pulse quickens, the patient quickly gets tired.
Coronary heart disease (CHD). Pain outside the attack is often dull, aching, localized also in the left side, intensified in tension, there is a burning sensation in the chest, heaviness, shortness of breath, increased heart rate.
Pathologies of the respiratory system - pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis - can be accompanied by pain in the left hypochondrium. With pneumonia, the pains are usually initially mild, dull, with further development of the process during coughing they become stitching, they are given to the back, left side and chest, they are characterized by back pain when inhaling. Additionally, there may be fever and cough, weakness.
With pleurisy, pain in the left hypochondrium is observed on inspiration, depending on the cough, leaning to the healthy side. With dry left-sided pleurisy, evening fever is noted, pain in the left hypochondrium during inhalation, in the chest, gives to the back, there is sweating, superficial and rapid breathing, the patient's posture is forced - he lies on the affected side to reduce the pain syndrome. The affected side lags behind when breathing, the patient is pale, the neck veins are swollen.
Pain in the left side under the ribs occurs with: splenomegaly, rheumatism, gastritis, duodenitis, perforation of ulcers, colitis, flatulence. Pain in the left side at the waist in front appears with a hernia of the navel.
Gastritis. Pain in the hypochondrium on the left, pulling, often with nausea, vomiting, heartburn, heaviness in the epigastrium, a feeling of fullness of the stomach, belching, bad breath, unpleasant aftertaste.
With a stomach ulcer, a pulling pain is observed in the left side, but it appears after eating, there is heartburn, acid burping, weight loss, nausea after eating, and sometimes vomiting. With a duodenal ulcer, pain, on the contrary, occurs on an empty stomach, disappears even after a small piece of bread.
If a perforation of an ulcer occurs, a sharp dagger pain appears, a person bends, turns pale, and may lose consciousness. There is vomiting of coffee grounds.
With stomach cancer, the pains in the left side are constant, they are not dependent on food intake, appetite is reduced, there is an aversion to meat, vomiting, weight loss, a yellow-pale face; there is always a feeling of fullness of the stomach. In the last stages, acute pain in the left side is so strong that patients scream, the nature of the pain is gnawing, they are not relieved by drugs.
Splenomegaly. The pathology of the spleen can be associated with ruptures, abscesses, organ injuries, while it is enlarged. With lesions of the spleen, a pulsating pain is observed, dull in nature, localized in the left hypochondrium, symptoms of migraine, sore throat, fever, weakness, sweating, and usually liver enlargement are added to it.
Diaphragmatic hernia. There is dull pain in the left side in the hypochondrium, often accompanied by belching and heartburn. Often aching, constant, increases with minor loads, even when tilted. It is provoked with obesity, exercise.
Intercostal neuralgia. They are very common, the pains are localized both in front and behind, it attacks paroxysmally under the ribs on the left, the sensations are different, from dull and aching to sharp, burning, piercing, appear on the exhale, do not allow movement, when moving and any other load intensifies, hold on during the day and at night, bedridden. At the site of the lesion there is a feeling of numbness.
Pain in the left hypochondrium can be with rheumatoid diseases of the connective tissue, osteochondrosis (pain can be from the back), with radiculitis (behind too).
Pancreatitis The pain is constant, it can be girdle-like, localized in the epigastrium. Acute pain in the left side, in the right side of the abdomen, in mesogastric pain, and back is possible. This prevalence is due to the fact that the pancreas is located across the entire upper abdomen. Often the pain syndrome is combined with fever, nausea, vomiting with it is indomitable, with an admixture of bile, it does not bring relief to the patient, it is provoked by fatty foods and alcohol - then a dull pain appears in the left side under the ribs.

Pain in the left side in the lower abdomen

Pain in the left side in the lower abdomen due to pathology of the intestine, genitourinary system, urolithiasis:

ICD. Flowing in bouts. During the period of remission, the pain is mild, dull, at the level of the lower back, it can occur both from the back and the front. It is provoked after exertion, walking. It aggravates with the movement of the calculus, becomes sharp, acute, unbearable in the lower back, is not removed with antispasmodics, nausea, vomiting, and hematuria are added. When the stone stops, the pain temporarily decreases, then it is localized above the pubic region.
Chronic constipation is accompanied by pain in the left side, especially after an abundant feast.
Spastic colitis. Abdominal pains are constant, aching in nature. A common symptom is flatulence, a feeling of incomplete bowel movement, sometimes diarrhea with mucus.
Intestinal obstruction. The first and early symptom in this pathology is pain; she returns every 25 minutes, is cramping in nature. There is flatulence, nausea, asymmetry when examining the abdomen, with auscultation - the absence of splash, noise. Pathology develops regardless of food intake, occurs without precursors. After 3 days, the pain may subside, indicating a poor prognosis - peristalsis has stopped and necrosis has begun.
Bowel cancer. The pains in the left side of the lower abdomen are initially fuzzy, blurry, constant, do not depend on food intake. Half of the patients have persistent constipation, he does not respond to medicines and laxatives; rumbling is characteristic, gas formation is increased, there is a feeling of heaviness. Feces with blood are characteristic.
With appendicitis, pain can also appear on the left, they are not necessarily localized on the right. Umbilical pains, a feeling of fullness, fullness of the abdomen join.

Reproductive system problems

Adnexitis is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes. During its acute form, sharp pain appears in the lower abdomen, in the groin and lower back. Possible fever, chills, general weakness. When the process goes into a chronic form, the pain subsides - they lose their sharpness, become aching, often accompanied by cycle disorders.
Ovarian apoplexy - severe pain on the left, then they spread throughout the abdomen, the general condition worsens, blood pressure decreases, there is a temperature, vomiting. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is characteristic.
Ectopic pregnancy. At 6-10 weeks of pregnancy, sharp intense pains appear in the lower abdomen, possibly bleeding, worsening of the condition. Before this period, an ectopic pregnancy does not manifest itself, usually occurs. With a burst tube, blood flows into the abdominal cavity, which is fraught with peritonitis. With large blood loss, pain shock develops with loss of consciousness and collapse.
With normal pregnancy, pain in the left side can also occur. If they are associated with a short period and mild pain, this can be explained by the growing uterus and compression of other organs, the well-being is not disturbed, the pain is weak, pressing.

If, against the background of complete health, a sudden sudden pain appears, it does not go away within half an hour, it grows, the face turns pale, blood pressure decreases, bleeding from the vagina occurs, the woman faints, then these are signs of a miscarriage, immediate medical attention is required.

Pain under the ribs in the left side is found in acute and chronic diseases of internal organs, nerves, muscles. The projection of the left hypochondrium contains the spleen, the left bend of the colon, the bottom of the stomach, the tail of the pancreas, the left part of the dome of the diaphragm, intercostal nerves, the lower lobe of the left lung and pleura. The nature of the pain syndrome helps to distinguish one disease from another, prescribe a diagnostic examination and determine treatment tactics.

The left side hurts under the ribs on the side, what could it be? We will discuss in this material.

Types of pain in the side in the left hypochondrium

Pain can differ in intensity, time of occurrence, dependence on physical activity, breathing or eating. Some types of pain indicate an exacerbation of chronic processes in the body and require adequate therapy. Acute pain in the left hypochondrium with a high degree of intensity develops in emergency conditions. Such patients must be immediately taken to a hospital for surgical intervention and resuscitation.

The intensity of pain is:

acute - constant intense pain, causing deep emotional experiences, weakly stop painkillers;
chronic - periodic pains of low intensity, which are stopped by painkillers.

By the nature of the sensations of pain there are:

stitching;
cutting;
drilling;
stupid;
aching;
bursting;
shooting;
girdles.

On the outbreak of pain are:

visceral - arise due to inflammatory processes, injuries and bleeding from internal organs;
muscle - arise as a result of inflammation or traumatic rupture of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall or chest;
neurological - occur with inflammation of the nerve trunks;
peritonial - develop due to irritation of the peritoneum ("acute" abdomen);
reflected - spread to the region of the left hypochondrium from distant organs along nerve fibers and require differential diagnosis.

If acute intolerable pain occurs, an ambulance team must be called in. In case of chronic pain syndrome, it is recommended to consult a doctor in a timely manner to diagnose the disease and treatment.

Spleen diseases

The spleen is a blood-forming organ. With inflammation, a rapid increase in the size of the spleen is characteristic (splenomegaly), and with injuries there is a high risk of rupture of the organ capsule with heavy bleeding. Splenomegaly occurs with mononucleosis, acute and chronic form of leukemia, anemia, hypersplenism, hepatitis and cirrhosis, SARS.

In diseases of the organ, a bursting, pressing pain in the left hypochondrium is characteristic, which does not depend on physical activity and food intake. When the spleen ruptures, a region of cyanosis forms around the navel, dizziness, nausea, and weakness appear. Pain at the time of rupture of an organ of a traumatic or infectious nature is acute cutting in nature.

Bowel disease

Pathology of the small intestine leads to visceral or reflected pain in the left side. A tumor of the left colon in the late stages of the disease causes aching pain, which intensifies 2-3 hours after a meal. The pain syndrome proceeds against the background of weakness, weight loss, aversion to food. Enteritis is characterized by periodic dull pains in the left side, which are accompanied by constipation and diarrhea, a feeling of transfusion in the abdomen, and increased gas formation. With ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, an admixture of blood appears in the feces.

Stomach diseases

Gastritis and gastric ulcer cause pain in the epigastric region and in the left hypochondrium. In case of gastritis, pains stitching, boring, shooting, intensify after eating spicy and fatty foods. Characterized by a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, belching rotten or sour, heartburn, nausea.

Peptic ulcer is manifested by hunger and night pain (increased discomfort on an empty stomach), after eating, the pain syndrome decreases. Vomiting with an admixture of blood, a decrease in body weight, and asthenia are characteristic. Perforation of the ulcer is accompanied by dagger acute pain, vomiting, severe weakness, lethargy, muscle tension of the anterior abdominal wall. This is an acute condition requiring emergency medical attention and surgical intervention.

Stomach cancer causes an aversion to food (more often to meat products), constant aching pains in the epigastrium and left hypochondrium, weight loss, weakness, anemia. When a tumor grows into large nerve trunks, an acute pain syndrome occurs, which is stopped only by narcotic analgesics.

Pancreatic disease

Pancreatic inflammation is called pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis causes digestive disorders and periodic pain in the left side. Characterized by diarrhea, a stool of oily consistency with lumps of undigested food, flatulence. Pain stitching, bursting, shooting character, occurs 1-1.5 hours after eating. Often pain becomes a girdle - spasmodic pain squeezes the left and right hypochondrium with a “ring”.

Acute pancreatitis is a dangerous condition with a high mortality rate (up to 60%). There is acute pain of a high degree of intensity, nausea, vomiting without relief, fever up to 39 degrees, chills, loss of appetite, loose frequent stools. The disease usually develops after heavy intake of spicy or fatty foods, alcohol abuse. If acute pancreatitis occurs, the patient must be urgently taken to the hospital for diagnosis and therapy.

Pancreatic cancer is asymptomatic for a long time. Sometimes there is loose stools, nausea, vomiting after a heavy meal. The first sign of the disease often becomes yellowness of the skin and sclera as a result of compression of the bile duct by the tumor. Pain in the left hypochondrium occurs in the late stages of the disease constantly or periodically. The pain syndrome is dull, bursting, independent of food intake, less often intense - due to the germination of a tumor of nerve trunks. Often accompanied by vomiting and refusal of food.

Muscle disease

Muscle inflammation - myositis can accompany pain in the left side. The pain syndrome is shooting and cramping, aggravated by stretching muscle fibers during an inclination in the opposite direction. When probing the affected muscles, painful compaction is determined. Diaphragm inflammation often occurs with congenital or acquired hernias. Dull or burning pain develops when food passes through the esophagus and tilts the body after eating. Pain usually occurs behind the sternum, but can spread to the left hypochondrium.

Intercostal neuralgia

Inflammation of the intercostal nerves is called intercostal neuralgia. In most clinical cases, the disease develops with herpes zoster. There is an acute burning pain, which is localized in the left hypochondrium, can spread to the back in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades and spine. Discomfort is aggravated by tilting towards the lesion. Subsequently, a herpetic rash is formed in the intercostal spaces - small grouped vesicles with transparent contents.

Left lung disease

Pain in the left side can occur with left-sided lower lobe pneumonia with involvement of the pleura in the pathological process. There is a cutting, stitching, boring pain in the region of the left hypochondrium, which intensifies at the height of the inspiration. Pneumonia is characterized by an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees, shortness of breath, weakness, dry or productive cough, wheezing when listening to breathing.

Dry pleurisy causes pain at the height of inspiration, with no symptoms of the lungs. A tumor of the left lung with the spread of the tumor to the pleura is characterized by pain in the left side when breathing, rapid weight loss, hemoptysis, weakness and drowsiness.

Heart disease

With myocardial infarction, the pain syndrome occurs in the left half of the chest, between the shoulder blades, gives to the arm on the side of the lesion. The atypical course of the disease leads to the occurrence of reflected pain in the left hypochondrium. Sharp, cramping, shooting pains in the left side of high intensity, shortness of breath, fear of death, palpitations, numbness of the left hand are noted. Reception of nitroglycerin or painkillers does not bring relief.

If pain occurs in the left hypochondrium, you must consult a doctor for examination and prescribing therapy. Timely consultation of a specialist reduces the risk of disease progression and the development of complications.

Our body is smart - it reacts to the slightest problems with pain. Are you starting to bother dumb? First of all, you need to understand the location of the organs. Also, do not forget that the cause of unpleasant sensations can be structures, tissues. How dangerous is pain? How can you get rid of it quickly?

What might bother you?

When symptoms appear, we pay attention to the organs located on the left. Here we know that the pancreas, intestines, spleen, diaphragm are located, in the lower abdomen - kidneys, urinary organs, in women - ovaries. Therefore, a malfunction of one of the organs leads to dull pain.

It is worth noting that you can not tolerate and constantly stop pain with analgesics, you must first understand the reason. Some pathologies pose a threat to life, so do not delay them, be treated in a timely manner.

Gastric diseases

Left are often the first signal of a gastric disease. The mucous organ may be irritated after taking medication or harmful products. But the negative effect on the mucous membrane leads to gastritis. In this case, in addition to dull pain, a aching and longer duration appears. Quite often, discomfort is accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting. What to do in this situation? It is necessary to take antacids, they will help reduce acidity.

Does the pain become unbearable? This is already a dangerous symptom, indicating an ulcer, here you can not do without examination and medical advice.

Sometimes the pain on the left indicates increased flatulence - an accumulation of gaziki. In this case, in addition to dull, aching painful sensations, the abdomen swells strongly, belching appears.

Spleen problems

Quite often, the pain in the left side is localized due to diseases of the spleen. It appears in case of stretching of the splenic capsule or when the organ significantly increases in size. Especially dangerous is, which can subsequently occur in trauma or an infection - mononucleosis.

How to find out about the gap in a timely manner? Look at the area around the navel, it suddenly turns blue, while severe pain in the lower abdomen is bothering.

Pathology of the pancreas

Most often, the doctor, after the patient complains of a dull pain in the left side, suspects a serious pancreatic disease. You got pain after you ate hot sauce, drank coffee, Coca-Cola, got carried away with fatty? This is definitely a pancreas.

Soreness indicates severe inflammation and development. In this case, the pain becomes girdle, sharp, can be given to the back. It seems to the patient that all the unpleasant sensations are concentrated inside the abdomen, while:

The temperature rises.
Starting to feel sick.
Vomiting appears.

What to do? Call an ambulance right away.

Please note that in case of problems with the pancreas, at first the pain can be localized in the side on the right, then move to the center of the abdomen, and in the end it already appears in the left side. Such symptoms may indicate. Most affected by it are chronic alcoholics, diabetics, smokers, people with arthritis, bronchial asthma.

Genital diseases in women

Intolerable dull pains on the left side can indicate torsion. An urgent surgical intervention is necessary here, otherwise everything may end with peritonitis, sepsis. With pathology, a woman suddenly becomes ill - the pressure drops, severe vomiting appears, the temperature jumps sharply.

Types of dull pain in the left side

When diagnosing, the doctor always pays attention to the nature of the pain, the diagnosis may depend on this.

Visceral pain

Unpleasant sensations appear when intestinal, gastric motility is disturbed. In this case, pain is given to different parts of the body.

Peritoneal pain

In this case, the pain is permanent. They appear after irritation of the entire abdominal region. Often this happens when a stomach ulcer is perforated. The patient suffers from cutting, acute pain, which may intensify during breathing, movement.

Reflected pain

Unpleasant sensations can be triggered by pneumonia. Often, due to radiating pain, it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis, which is why, in addition to examination, a number of examinations are prescribed.

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor pays attention to the localization of pain, for this he completely feels his stomach. Then appoints to undergo an examination:

Blood and urine tests.
The study of pancreatic and liver enzymes - lipases, amylases.
X-ray of the abdomen.
Endoscopy
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Treatment methods

It is worth noting that the course of therapy depends on the disease that triggered the pain. After you undergo a full examination, the doctor makes a diagnosis, prescribes the appropriate course of therapy.

Attention! Dull pain in the left side lasts more than half an hour? It becomes intense, exacerbated by various symptoms? Urgently call an ambulance.

So, almost all pathologies that can be the cause of discomfort in the side on the left need urgent treatment. Do not underestimate the symptoms that have arisen, try to muffle it yourself with painkillers, otherwise everything can end with dangerous consequences for health and life. It is better to consult with a traumatologist, surgeon, gynecologist, infectious disease specialist, gastroenterologist, neuropathologist in advance. Specialists will help in a short time to determine the exact cause of your torment. As for self-medication, sometimes it only exacerbates the underlying disease. If you decide to be treated with alternative methods, a medical consultation is still required. Be attentive to your health, do not get sick!