Cases when a person has pain when breathing under the ribs on the left side are not uncommon. If the discomfort is regular, this indicates the development of a pathological process in the body. It is necessary to pay attention to what other symptoms appear, except for pain when breathing on the left. This will help establish the cause. Most of them require immediate medical attention.
Diaphragm pathology
This is the main respiratory muscle, which conditionally separates the chest and abdominal cavity. As a rule, the cause of pain in the left under the ribs in the front during inspiration is a diaphragmatic hernia, during the development of which the lower part of the stomach moves upward due to an increase in the lumen of the esophagus.
This pathological condition can occur against the background of:
- regular high-intensity physical activity;
- pregnancy
- constipation of a chronic nature;
- overweight;
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- respiratory diseases.
Diaphragmatic hernia is a serious ailment, the danger of which lies in the fact that over time, the functioning of the digestive system, heart and lungs is more and more disrupted.
The main symptoms of the disease:
- Aching pain on the left under the ribs when inhaling air. It is permanent.
- Frequent episodes of regurgitation (after almost every meal).
- Heartburn.
- Belching with air.
- Difficulty swallowing food.
- Bloating.
- Cough.
- Tachycardia.
Treatment of pathology involves the use of surgical methods, during which the surgeon returns the stomach to its place and sutures the lumen of the esophagus. Conservative therapy in this case is ineffective. Medications only temporarily weaken the severity of symptoms.
Left-sided intercostal neuralgia
This term refers to a pathological condition, the signs of which are similar to the manifestations of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. In itself, it is not dangerous, but it can be a symptom of diseases that are characterized by irritation or compression of nerves located between the ribs.
Reasons for the development of a pathological condition:
- osteochondrosis in advanced form;
- kyphosis;
- spondylitis;
- malignant neoplasms in the spine;
- intoxication of the body;
- aortic aneurysm;
- diabetes;
- multiple sclerosis;
- anomalies in the development of internal organs;
- injuries
- hypothermia;
- stress;
- deficiency of vitamins of group B;
- tight underwear in women.
With this form of neuralgia, discomfort can radiate to the area of the heart, chest, shoulder blades, and when you inhale it hurts the left side under the ribs. The severity of symptoms increases with coughing, sneezing, exercise. Pain with intercostal neuralgia is burning in nature. Over time, it becomes aching.
Treatment of the disease is carried out by conservative methods. The treatment regimen directly depends on the cause of the development of pathology. It is important to consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear, since only a specialist can distinguish neuralgia from angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
Respiratory system diseases
Pain on the left under the ribs in the front during inhalation may indicate the development of pleurisy or pneumonia. In the first case, the pathological process affects the lungs, in the second - the serous membrane that surrounds them.
Pneumonia is an acute disease of an infectious nature. The clinical picture and severity of symptoms directly depends on the cause, gender and age of the patient.
Common symptoms of pathology:
- Elevated body temperature. The rise comes abruptly.
- General signs of intoxication (weakness, rapid onset of fatigue, headache).
- Dry cough. Appears in 3-5 days. Gradually, it passes into a wet form, accompanied by sputum separation.
- Pain in the chest area, worse when inhaling. They can radiate to the area of the left or right hypochondrium, also the pathological process can be bilateral.
- Dyspnea.
Pleurisy is a disease that, as a rule, is not independent in nature, but accompanies a number of other pathologies of the respiratory system. The ailment can have both dry and exudative form.
The clinical picture of the disease directly depends on the root cause. Common symptoms include: pain in the left or right hypochondrium, worse when inhaling; painful reflex cough; fever; chills; weakness.
Treatment of pathology is to eliminate the underlying disease and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Pathology of the heart
In the human body, the diaphragm is closely connected with the central circulatory organ. That is why, in the presence of cardiac pathologies, the process of inhalation of air can be accompanied by pronounced painful sensations.
As a rule, patients in this case are diagnosed with one of the forms of cardiomyopathy. The dilatation is considered the most dangerous, in which the heart becomes flabby and cannot fully perform its function. The causes of this pathology are unknown.
In addition to pain when breathing on the left under the ribs, patients complain of shortness of breath after performing any motor activity, dizziness, a constant feeling of weakness, swelling of the lower extremities, sleep disturbances, frequent episodes of fainting.
With cardiomyopathy, symptomatic treatment is performed. The prognosis in the presence of the disease is usually poor. Until recently, the only way out for patients was transplantation of a donor organ. But the difficulty lies in the fact that the lineup of patients is extremely impressive. At the same time, it is almost impossible to find a donor heart. Currently, a stem cell treatment method is used in practice.
Spleen rupture
This is an organ located in the hypochondrium on the left side. The spleen is a kind of storehouse of red blood elements. She is involved in immune processes and is involved in the purification of liquid connective tissue from harmful substances.
When the spleen ruptures, stitching occurs when inhaling to the left under the ribs. Damage to the abdominal cavity, blood leaks into it. Against this background, pain when inhaling on the left under the ribs on the side is significantly increased. Over time, it covers the entire stomach. It becomes extremely difficult for a person to swallow air.
In addition to pain when inhaling under the rib on the left, the following symptoms are observed:
- cyanosis of the skin in the area of the spleen;
- chills;
- nausea turning into vomiting;
- high body temperature;
- arterial hypotension.
If there is evidence of an organ rupture, an ambulance crew must be called immediately. But even with the timely intervention of doctors, the spleen can be saved only in 1% of cases. In this regard, the main treatment for this condition is the complete removal of the organ.
Acute pyelonephritis
If the left side hurts under the ribs during inspiration, this may indicate kidney pathology. The term "acute pyelonephritis" refers to the inflammatory process in which the pyelocaliceal system and the intermediate tissue of the organ are involved.
The main reason for the development of the disease is the spread of infection to the kidneys from the lower urinary tract. This occurs in the presence of one or more provoking factors.
These include:
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- vaginal dysbiosis, an increase in its acidity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- frequent change of sexual partners (in women);
- increased intrarenal pressure;
- ureteral strictures;
- prostate adenoma or cancer;
- calculi in the ducts, through which urine is excreted from the body;
- hypothermia;
- diabetes;
- pregnancy;
- overwork;
- viral infections;
- hypovitaminosis.
If the left side of the organ is affected, the disease can be suspected if there are the following signs:
- Urge to urinate. No urine is released.
- When inhaling, the left side under the ribs hurts, discomfort radiates to the abdominal area.
- The general health worsens.
- Body temperature rises.
- A febrile condition appears.
- Sweating increases.
Gradually, pain with a deep breath on the left (under the ribs) reaches a maximum peak. Its severity decreases slightly on exhalation. Coughing, sneezing, any motor activity - all this intensifies the intensity of painful sensations so that a person can lose consciousness.
The key to successful treatment is the timely provision of medical care. The prognosis is considered favorable if the disease recedes on the background of taking medications. According to statistics, in 30% of patients the disease becomes chronic. At the same time, the risk of developing pathologies that pose a threat to the patient's life remains.
Osteochondrosis
This is currently the most common disease of the spine. In the process of its development, degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue occur. According to statistics, about 90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.
The main causes of the development of the disease:
- malformation of the spine during fetal development;
- hereditary predisposition;
- the natural process of aging;
- violation of phosphorus and calcium metabolism;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- inactive lifestyle or, conversely, high-intensity physical activity;
- Vibrations that are prolonged or regular (for example, when driving a vehicle);
- overweight;
- smoking;
- various kinds of injuries;
- muscle weakness in the back;
- scoliosis;
- flat feet;
- infectious diseases;
- constant stress;
- living in adverse environmental conditions;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, including high-heeled models;
- pregnancy.
If during inhalation it pricks in the left side under the ribs, this is considered a symptom of osteochondrosis of the chest form. In addition, a person may be disturbed by a feeling of numbness in the region of the heart and stomach. Often the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade or shoulder. The patient also has a rapid onset of fatigue, even with minimal mental and physical exertion.
In most cases, the treatment regimen for osteochondrosis includes the following items: medication, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy, massage, traction, kinesiotherapy, diet.
Gastritis, stomach ulcer
Often, when inhaling, the left side under the ribs hurts when this organ of the digestive system is affected.
Gastritis is understood as inflammation of the gastric mucosa, against which the normal functioning of the latter is disrupted. The main causes of the development of the disease:
- vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms Helicobacter pylori;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- excessive consumption of alcohol-containing drinks;
- taking certain medications (for example, painkillers, NSAIDs);
- helminthic infestations;
- prolonged exposure to stress;
- hereditary predisposition;
- autoimmune diseases;
- hormonal imbalance.
There are several forms of gastritis, each of which has certain symptoms. In order to recognize the disease, it is necessary to pay attention to the nature of the pain. Against the background of exacerbation of gastritis, while inhaling, it stabs in the left side, under the ribs. The intensity of pain always increases after any meal, the use of alcohol-containing drinks, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, prolonged fasting.
Treatment of gastritis of any form is carried out using conservative methods.
A stomach ulcer is a pathology of a chronic nature, the result of which are trophic disorders. The change of periods of exacerbation and remission occurs very often, while relapses usually occur in spring and autumn.
Inhalation pain in the left hypochondrium appears due to intoxication of the body. In addition, the following conditions are symptoms of peptic ulcer:
- a feeling of heaviness in the stomach after each meal;
- belching;
- nausea turning into vomiting;
- constipation;
- impaired appetite;
- a sharp decrease in body weight;
- increased formation and accumulation of gases;
- excessive sweating;
- plaque in the tongue.
The treatment of pathology is complex. It includes taking medications, physiotherapy exercises, and diet therapy. In very severe cases, surgery is performed, during which part of the stomach is removed.
Pathology of the pancreas
Most often, patients are diagnosed with pancreatitis. Against the background of its development, the pancreas is disrupted. The disease can be both acute and chronic. In the first case, a person is concerned about pain in the left hypochondrium, worse when inhaling; his appetite is impaired; vomiting appears; body temperature rises; diarrhea develops or, on the contrary, constipation. In the chronic form, patients complain of constantly feeling unwell, nausea, flatulence.
Pancreatitis treatment may include both conservative and surgical methods.
Finally
If pain occurs in the region of the left hypochondrium, intensifying when you try to take a breath, you need to contact a therapist. With a pronounced deterioration in well-being, it is recommended to call an ambulance team. This is due to the fact that pain when inhaling in the region of the left side under the ribs, as a rule, indicates the development of serious pathologies, most of which pose a threat not only to health, but also to the life of the patient.