In the presence of any health problems, our body gives the appropriate signals, on the basis of which a person can suspect a disease in himself and go to the hospital in a timely manner. Depending on the location of the clinical manifestations, the cause of their occurrence can be assumed. The most common question is what can hurt on the left. Let's try to understand this in more detail and find out the problems with which internal organs are manifested on this side.
Classification of pain
So what do you need to know about this? Before we find out what can hurt on the left, let's first talk a little about theory. By the nature of discomfort, the following types of pain are distinguished:
- sharp and cutting;
- stupid;
- aching;
- pricking;
- throbbing;
- pulling.
In addition, doctors also distinguish the classification of unpleasant sensations depending on the causes of their occurrence:
- pain in the internal organs resulting from spasms and sprains;
- discomfort in the abdominal cavity, manifested acutely and sharply;
- the reflected form of pain coming from a sick internal organ.
What can hurt on the left side? It all depends on the health problems that caused the discomfort. Next, we will examine in detail the most common factors behind discomfort and arthralgia.
The main causes of pain
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Answering the question of what can hurt women and men on the left, it is necessary to say a few words about the health problems that people most often face. Among the most common, the following can be distinguished:
- displacement of internal organs into the chest cavity;
- various pathologies of the stomach;
- problems with the spleen;
- urological and gynecological diseases;
- violation of the pancreas;
- bowel disease;
- damage to peripheral nerves of various etiologies;
- malfunctions in the functioning of the heart;
- problems with the spinal column;
- pathology of the respiratory system;
- injuries of internal organs.
This is just a small list of what can hurt on the left. In fact, there are many more causes and diseases. Therefore, if you encounter a similar problem, then do not self-medicate. It is best to go to the hospital as soon as possible to undergo a comprehensive examination and start treatment.
Symptomatology
This aspect should be given special significance. If the duration of the pain syndrome is 30 minutes or more, then this is a serious cause for concern. Doctors recommend in this case immediately call an ambulance, because in the vast majority of cases, intense and pronounced symptoms indicate the presence of serious pathologies that occur in severe form. What can hurt on the left? According to qualified specialists, problems with almost all internal organs can be behind this syndrome. Among the most frequently diagnosed cases, the following can be distinguished:
- perforated stomach ulcer;
- renal colic;
- rupture of the spleen;
- internal bleeding resulting from physical damage to an internal organ;
- inflammatory process;
- malignant tumor;
- preinfarction condition.
Many people, especially the elderly, are interested in the question of what can hurt on the left under the ribs in front. Doctors say that pathologies such as cardiac ischemia, renal and hepatic colic, as well as damage to peripheral nerves are accompanied by similar clinical manifestations, but these diseases can most likely be excluded. But the presence of pancreatitis in the patient, ectopic pregnancy in women, rupture of the cyst and inflammatory lesions of the appendages is quite possible. To determine the exact cause of the pain syndrome, a full examination is required, so you should not delay it with a trip to the hospital. Any delay can be very dangerous, since many diseases often lead to the development of serious complications and even death.
Pain in the left side under the ribs
What should you pay attention to first of all? This form of the syndrome is the most common. It is with her that people often come to see a doctor. But what can hurt on the left under the ribs? Most often, a similar problem occurs in the following situations:
- various pathologies of the stomach;
- pancreatic disorders
- spleen diseases;
- prolapse of the internal organs of the abdominal region;
- pathology of the respiratory system;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- damage to the intercostal nerves;
- problems with the spinal column;
- injuries of internal organs.
Now you know what can hurt on the left side under the ribs. However, as mentioned above, you should not try to cope with the problem yourself. Any diseases associated with a violation of the normal functioning of the internal organs are very serious and require professional medical attention, so if you experience the first symptoms, you need to contact a specialized specialist who will prescribe you all the necessary tests and select the optimal treatment program.
Discomfort on the left side of the abdominal region
What can hurt on the left side? There is a stomach in this part of our body, so if you start to feel discomfort or severe colic, then most likely the problems are with this internal organ. For example, if the syndrome is aching and makes itself felt after eating, then it is often caused by gastritis. Symptoms such as:
- unpleasant burping;
- nausea;
- heartburn;
- stomach upset;
- gagging.
Also very often, pain is caused by a stomach ulcer. This disease is more serious and is accompanied by intense symptoms. In addition to acute stitching pain, a person may experience a sour taste in the mouth, as well as nausea and vomiting after eating. More serious is the pathology in which a through lesion appears on the wall of the stomach. In this case, unpredictable fainting and pallor of the skin are possible.
What can hurt in the stomach on the left? A dull syndrome, manifested regardless of food intake and other factors, may indicate an oncological disease. It is often accompanied by a depressive state, severe weight loss, as well as fecal and vomit black.
Unpleasant sensations in the waist area
What can hurt to the left of the navel? There can be quite a few reasons for this. In medical practice, the most commonly diagnosed are:
- Diseases of the pancreas. They are accompanied by intolerable pain syndrome, which can be localized not only in the left side of the peritoneum, but also in the back. Also, the patient has an increased body temperature, a taste of bitterness in the oral cavity and vomiting. In most cases, clinical manifestations make themselves felt after eating.
- Pathology of the spleen. Pain with problems with this internal organ is possible in the case of an existing malignant dysfunction of the hematopoietic system, anemia. Among the main symptoms can be identified increased sweating, discomfort in the throat during swallowing and an increase in the size of the lymph nodes. In addition, it is possible to turn the epidermis blue in the navel.
- Displacement of internal organs. With this problem, a person experiences dull pain, which is caused by the contents of the stomach entering the digestive tract. Representatives of the elderly and people suffering from overweight are most prone to the occurrence of such a pathology.
- Respiratory diseases. The cause of the pain syndrome may be associated with bilateral pneumonia. It is also almost always accompanied by a dry cough and fever. With this disease, it is important to provide medical assistance to the patient as soon as possible, since pathology can lead to serious consequences and even death.
This is only a small part of the health problems that make people experience various types of pain in the left half of the body. There are a number of other ailments that have similar symptoms. You can’t determine the pathology yourself, because this requires specialized laboratory tests. Therefore, if even slight suspicions of any ailment arise, it is better to immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance.
Pain in the back of the body
Let's dwell on this in more detail. What can hurt left behind? As a rule, such symptoms indicate the development of myocardial infarction. Unpleasant sensations and tingling can be localized not only along the entire left side, but also given to the shoulder blade. In addition to problems with the cardiovascular system, pain can be caused by kidney diseases, for example, pyelonephritis of an infectious etiology or urolithiasis.
Pain in the lower back of varying intensity can express some gynecological diseases. With physical exertion and performing body movements, the severity of symptoms increases, and the person begins to feel much worse.
Pain in the lower left half of the body
This is very often encountered by women bearing a fetus or preparing in the near future to become a mother. What can hurt the lower left abdomen during pregnancy? The answer is quite obvious - internal organs. As the fetus grows and develops, increased pressure is created on them, as a result of which they can begin to hurt. At the same time, there is no threat to the health and life of the baby or mother. Discomfort and pain are quite commonplace, however, to be completely sure that there are no pathologies or deviations, it is recommended to consult your doctor.
What can hurt the left front of expectant mothers? For example, this may be the result of uterine contractions that occur due to hormonal imbalance and a decrease in the level of progesterone. This condition is also very common and does not pose a serious threat. The reason for concern may be sharp and stitching pain, fever, rapid urination and disorders of the digestive system. If such symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, since it may indicate the presence of various pathologies that can lead to a miscarriage. In addition, pain can be caused by pathologies of internal organs that require urgent treatment.
Basic diagnostic methods
What are they and what is their feature? If discomfort or pain in the left side does not give you rest, then you should immediately consult a doctor. Based on a general examination, the doctor will prescribe appropriate tests that will help determine the cause of the pain. This is very important, because the treatment program depends on the diagnosis. If necessary, consultation with profiled specialists from other areas may be required. The basic methods of laboratory research are:
- general blood analysis;
- analysis of urine and feces;
- Ultrasound of the internal organs of the peritoneum and pelvic area;
- study of the cardiovascular system;
- radiography;
- fluorography;
- colonoscopy;
- gastroscopy.
After the results of the tests are in the hands of a profiled specialist, and he will also have a detailed understanding of the patient’s clinical picture, the most effective and safe treatment program is selected.
Treatment
It can be conservative or radical. In the first case, it is possible to confine oneself only to taking medications, and in the second, surgical intervention may be required. According to medical statistics, in most cases, the diseases are quite serious, but they can be managed without the development of dangerous health complications. But here a lot depends on at what stage of the development of the pathology a person went to the hospital to receive medical care. Therefore, doctors advise not too long to delay a visit to the doctor if a pain syndrome occurs in the left side.
Conclusion
Pathologies of internal organs are considered one of the most serious, since they can not only cause serious complications, but also lead to death. Therefore, you should not neglect your health or self-medicate, and if you experience the first symptoms, immediately contact a profile specialist. In this case, you can cure even the most complex disease with minimal consequences.