Pain in the left side may be disturbing. However, in most cases, it shouldn't be a cause for panic. It is worth remembering that the pain does not come out of nowhere. It is often a symptom of a disease that must be accurately diagnosed. The causes of the abdominal pain in the left side are not that obvious. What might pain in the side of the abdomen mean? When should you see a doctor with him?

Pain in the left sideis usually associated with diseases that are not life threatening and can be safely treated at home. Sometimes, however, abdominal pain can be a symptom of dangerous ailments. Therefore, you should carefully monitor your he alth. If the pain is not related to a known cause (e.g. overeating) and is severe, or lasts several days, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

In the case of pain in the left side, it is important to accurately recognize the source of the ailment. The most common conditions with discomfort on the left side of the abdomen are the easiest to treat.

Pain in the left side - diagnosis

When the pain in the left side is severe or persists for a long time, it is often necessary to conduct research to identify its cause. First, the doctor may refer the patient to:

  • computed tomography,
  • USG,
  • magnetic resonance imaging,
  • endoscopy.

It is common for a doctor to be unable to determine the cause of pain in the left side of the abdomen at the first visit. Getting an accurate diagnosis may require further consultations with specialists and further tests. However, do not be discouraged.Knowing the cause of pain is necessary for effective treatment .

When the primary care physician initially recognizes the cause of the ailment, the patient is usually referred to a specialist, e.g. a gastroenterologist.

Pain in the left side - when to see a doctor?

In the case of pain in the left side, consultation with a doctor is necessary if we cannot determine the cause of the pain or if we observeadditional disturbing symptoms .

An indication to see a specialist is alsochronic or very severe pain .

Pain in the left side - causes

There are variouscauses of pain in the left side of the abdomen . There are many important things in this part of the bodyorgans whose diseases may be a source of discomfort, including:

  • spleen,
  • kidney,
  • pancreas,
  • stomach,
  • intestines.

Here is a list of possible causes of pain in the left side:

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitisis one of the more common causes of lower abdominal pain on the left side. The ailment occurs when there is an infection of the invaginations of the lining of the large intestine, called diverticula.

Diverticular disease affects many people in Western countries. It is one of the most common diseases of the large intestine. If not treated properly, diverticular disease can lead to serious complications. The main cause of this disease isdisturbed intestinal microbiota balance .

Diverticula of the large intestine are small protrusions of the mucosa of the large intestine wall. Their development depends on many factors such as diet and genes. Age is also important. Young people rarely face this problem.At age 60, 50% of people have diverticula in their intestines .

A characteristic symptom of diverticulitis ispain that increases after a meal .

Accompanying symptoms:

  • fever,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • feeling bloated.

Celiac disease

Celiac diseaseis a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the small intestine.

Basic symptoms are:

  • gastrointestinal problems,
  • chronic diarrhea,
  • flatulence,
  • loss of appetite,
  • weight loss,
  • fatigue,
  • growth disorders in children.

Flatulence

Pain in the left side of the abdomen can be caused by the pressure of gas trapped in the digestive tract . Its presence in the gut is natural and in itself is not a cause for concern.

Gas is produced by digestion or is swallowed with food. Painful bloating occurs when excess gas is not released through the rectum or esophagus, but accumulates in the intestines causing discomfort.

The bloating can be caused by:

  • diet,
  • no traffic,
  • swallowing air while eating,
  • smoking,
  • obstruction of the intestines by chewing gum,
  • overeating,
  • bacteria in the digestive tract.

Flatulence is not a cause for concern in most cases. Often a recurring problem may indicate that we lead an unhe althy lifestyle. Proper diet and exercise counteract gas.

If flatulenceare accompanied by additional symptoms, we should discuss the problem with the doctor, as it may indicate a more serious disease.

Disturbing symptoms indicating the need to consult a specialist include:

  • weight loss,
  • frequent constipation,
  • blood in stool,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea,
  • heartburn.

Lactose intolerance

People withlactose intolerancehave digestive problems after consuming milk and food produced from it. Eating disorders in these patients are associated with insufficient production of an enzyme called lactase.

Lactase breaks down lactose in milk into glucose and galactose. The presence of a high concentration of undegraded lactose in the body can lead to symptoms such as:

  • diarrhea,
  • stomach ache,
  • flatulence,
  • nausea,
  • stomach rumbling.

If you suspect lactose intolerance, try to stop dairy products and see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Crohn's disease

Crohn's diseasebelongs to the group of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The cause of this disease is difficult to determine. Patients with Crohn's disease develop painful inflammations that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract.

The most common symptoms are stomach pain and diarrhea. Inflammation may be accompanied by fever and weight loss.

If you suspect Crohn's disease, be sure to see a doctor who will refer you for further tests.

Indigestion

Indigestionis a condition caused by problems with digesting food. Colloquially, it is often called upset stomach. The symptoms of indigestion are:

  • pain in the upper abdomen,
  • burning in the stomach,
  • heartburn,
  • flatulence.

Often recurring indigestion may be a symptom of acid reflux disease, peptic ulcer or gastritis .

In case of a recurring problem, consult a doctor.

In most cases, however, indigestion is related to a poor diet and is mild.

Over-the-counter herbal preparations can help to inhibit symptoms. The Master of Pharmacy is a professional who will help the patient choose the best tea or remedy for indigestion.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that requires multipleinsightful research. In order to confirm IBS, the doctor must rule out all other possible diseases.

IBS symptoms are:

  • stomach ache,
  • feeling of pressure in the stomach,
  • constipation,
  • diarrhea,
  • flatulence.

Hernia

Abdominal herniais a condition that causes an organ or a fragment of an organ to move beyond the abdominal cavity. A characteristic symptom of a hernia is the appearance of a palpable bulge under the skin.

Symptoms that may accompany a hernia are:

  • pain when lifting heavier objects,
  • pressure in the stomach,
  • increasing pain,
  • increasing size of the bulge,
  • feeling full.

If you have symptoms that suggest a hernia, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Kidney stones

Pain in the left side may indicate the presence of a stone in the left kidney . Kidney stones are deposits of minerals that build up in the kidneys. They hinder the proper functioning of these organs and cause severe pain.

Patients are often unaware of their developing kidney stones. The first symptom of the disease may be severe pain on one side of the body.

Common symptoms of kidney stones are:

  • stomach ache,
  • pain when urinating,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • blood in urine,
  • fever,
  • frequent urination.

If you experience these symptoms you should see a doctor.

Pancreatitis

The pancreas is an organ located on the upper left side of the abdomen.Pancreatitiscan be acute or chronic. Symptoms that indicate inflammation of this organ are:

  • stomach ache,
  • fever,
  • high heart rate,
  • nausea,
  • swelling,
  • diarrhea,
  • vomiting.

If you suspect pancreatitis, see a doctor immediately.

Kidney infection

Left kidney infection can cause pain in the upper left abdomen . Other symptoms that indicate this condition are:

  • frequent urination,
  • pain when urinating,
  • back pain,
  • fever,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting.

Kidney infections can be dangerous. If these symptoms occur, contact your doctor immediately. Kidney infections are most commonly treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics.

Enlarged spleen

Pain in the leftupper abdomen may indicate a spleen-related medical condition . One of the causes of spleen enlargement is infection. Rheumatoid arthritis and liver disease can also cause enlargement of the liver.

The symptoms of an enlarged spleen are:

  • feeling full after a small meal,
  • anemia,
  • fatigue,
  • intense bleeding from small mornings,
  • frequent and recurring infections.

If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor who will diagnose their cause. Antibiotic therapy will be required in the event of spleen infection.

Rupture of the spleen

Pain in the left abdomen may also be associated with a rupture of the spleencaused by an injury such as a car accident or a fall from a height.

Symptoms of a ruptured spleen are:

  • pain in the upper left abdomen,
  • dizziness,
  • faster heart rate.

A rupture of the spleen is a medical emergency. The trauma can lead to severe internal bleeding. If a spleen rupture is suspected, seek medical attention or go to the Emergency Department.

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