In medicine, signs of diseases are known, each of which indicates not one disease, but several possible ones. Such symptoms are called symptoms. An example of a symptom is heaviness in the left hypochondrium.
In practice, symptoms are not considered one at a time, only in groups. So, heaviness in the left hypochondrium is often accompanied by pain of varying degrees of strength and of a different nature. Concomitant signs are observed: stool, digestion, fever, chills, weakness, nausea, vomiting, etc. Patients, in some cases, specify the location (location) of unpleasant sensations: there is a heaviness in the left side under the rib or heaviness in the sides.
Symptoms grouped together are called syndromes. The syndrome already indicates a specific disease.
Severity in the left hypochondrium along with other symptoms may indicate an extensive group of diseases. First of all, these are diseases of the abdominal cavity organs: pancreas, spleen. Dull pain and heaviness under the left rib often means gastritis, as well as a stomach ulcer. This symptom is likely and causes anxiety with the onset of blood cancer.
- In case of acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), the feeling of heaviness under the left rib develops into an intolerable girdle pain in the upper abdomen, which does not stop and extends to the back. Sick, weakness intensifies, vomiting occurs. Temperature may rise. Mandatory emergency call and subsequent hospitalization, in order to avoid dangerous complications.
- Diseases of the spleen are also characterized by severity on the left under the rib - for example, a spleen cyst or its tumor. In cases of pain accompanying severity, as well as with an increase in temperature, perhaps we should talk about spleen infarction or its abscess (the pain gives to the left shoulder). With timely medical help, all diseases of the spleen, except cancer and sepsis, have a favorable treatment outcome.
- In chronic and acute gastritis, the mucous membrane of the stomach is inflamed. A disease can last for years. Exacerbations and periods of calm flow alternate.
In acute gastritis, the severity of the left under the pit of the stomach is characteristic. Along with this, the patient feels fullness in the left side. Soon after eating, she begins to feel sick, vomits undigested food, mucus and bile. The temperature rises. With timely medical assistance, gastritis can be suspended for a long time.
In chronic gastritis for a long time there may be no symptoms at all that indicate it, the disease "awaits" an exacerbation. Chronic gastritis is dangerous because over time it causes more serious diseases: a stomach ulcer, a tumor, polyps of the stomach and intestines.
- A stomach ulcer is successfully treated today, unless it is a question of its perforation or degeneration into a cancerous tumor. The onset of the disease feels like heaviness on the left under the rib. Later, pain in the pit of the stomach is connected, usually not strong, dull and prolonged; painkillers do not help. Heaviness and pain are usually felt before meals and are associated with a feeling of hunger. Heartburn, frequent constipation, sour belching are possible. With severe severity and pain, vomiting occurs, after which it becomes easier. Calling a doctor if these symptoms occur will save the patient's life and significantly increase the chances of a cure.
- In case of chronic myelogenous leukemia , tingling and heaviness in the left hypochondrium are observed. Patients find when palpating in this place a certain seal. Unfortunately, this cancer is incurable and ends in death. But with an urgent visit to an oncologist, the patient has a chance to extend his life from two to five years. Of these, for about 3 years, health will be in relative equilibrium and will not torment the doomed. If treatment is not carried out, patients die much earlier.
So, heaviness in the left hypochondrium is a symptom. From its manifestation alone, it is impossible to understand what disease it refers to. Indications for diseases in the syndromes are more accurate, but require research and observation. Diseases themselves can be on the list from less dangerous to extremely dangerous. For this reason, the detection of a symptom of severity on the left requires immediate medical attention.