Pain In The Left Side Of The Stomach: Possible Causes And What To Do
Health can be affected by a large number of variables that can range from enhancing and favoring our well-being to causing discomfort that indicates the presence of some alteration of greater or lesser severity.
An example of this is the appearance of pain or discomfort at the gastrointestinal level. Although it has mostly been due to some type of temporary digestive problem, the truth is that sometimes it can be indicating something more serious.
Likewise, sometimes it is also possible that these discomforts or pains do not occur in a specific part and not at a general level, such as on one side. Why can pain appear in the left side of the stomach? We are going to see some variables that we have to take into account and some possible reasons for their appearance.
Stomach pain is a relatively common phenomenon and generally It is usually due to discomfort caused by poor digestion or the presence of gases This does not imply that this type of pain may sometimes be indicating some type of injury, inflammation or disease that is more relevant and even dangerous, especially when it has unusual characteristics.
When the pain is localized, such as when we have pain in the left side of the stomach, this usually implies that the reason for the discomfort is found in one of the organs present in the same region or we are facing a radiation of a different problem. If this type of pain occurs, it may be advisable to take some variables into account
Variables to take into account
Firstly, and focusing on the pain, we must assess the type of pain we are feeling, whether it is more stabbing or burning (as if we were being burned). Likewise, another factor of great relevance is its exact location and its level of intensity.
It is also advisable to take into account how long it is present, If it remains continuous, comes and goes or occurs punctually in some situation In this sense, the fact that it is present continuously or very frequently may indicate that there is some type of problem. If there is no improvement after two days, it is recommended to see a doctor.
When this pain appears is also relevant; It must be taken into account if it has occurred after a significant bruise, when eating or after eating or if it appears suddenly without any history For example, its sudden appearance is usually not common and usually makes it advisable to consult a doctor.
Finally, we must bear in mind that if we are When faced with some type of disease, it is common for pain to be accompanied by other symptoms (although sometimes they are not perceived by the person). Some symptoms that may appear along with pain in the left side of the stomach and that raise suspicion of a possible serious illness are the presence of very high fever, bleeding in vomit or stool, excessive diarrhea, rapid loss of weight and/or energy, paleness or jaundice, inability to defecate or fainting.
Possible causes of pain in the left side of the stomach
There are many possible causes of pain in the left side of the stomach, which can range from mild discomfort derived from poor digestion to more serious conditions that generate intense and recurring pain. Some examples are the following.
1. Gas accumulation
The presence of an accumulation of gases at the gastrointestinal level is one of the most common causes of stomach and abdominal pain, both at a general level and on a specific side (on the left it is common for the accumulation to occur either in the stomach or the colon. ). It is common for the pain to be punctual and bloating and frequent flatulence or belching may appear reducing the discomfort after his expulsion.
A common cause of pain in the left side of the stomach is gastritis, in which the stomach suffers from inflammation that can cause stabbing pain, bleeding, burning, vomiting and gas It can be due to multiple causes, including some diseases. Some gastritis, especially the hemorrhagic type, can be fatal.
3. Irritable bowel
Another possible cause for pain in the left side of the abdomen is the presence of irritable bowel syndrome or some alteration in the colon. Specifically, the pain will appear on the left side. when the alteration affects the descending colon , and is usually sharp and relieved after the evacuation of feces. Constipation, diarrhea or both usually also appear.
4. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an inflammation of diverticula, small sac-like structures that line much of the digestive tract but are especially present in the colon.
The pain caused is usually intense, continuous and does not improve over time. It usually appears together with high fevers, dizziness, weight loss and diarrhea or constipation It can cause various serious or even life-threatening complications, such as perforations and even peritonitis.
5. Splenomegaly and other spleen problems
Another organ found on the left side of the body and whose involvement can cause great pain on that side is the spleen. This organ acts as a reservoir and control system for the amount of blood, in addition to participating in the immune and lymphatic system, and can be injured or affected by various diseases.
One of them is splenomegaly, in which this organ increases its size greatly. This increase can generate compression against other organs and this will cause the birth of pain, heaviness, weight loss or fever. It may need to be removed surgically.
In addition to splenomegaly, alterations such as cysts and tumors may appear that can also cause pain. Another possible cause may be that the spleen is injured is perforated or broken by some trauma, generating internal bleeding that is highly dangerous for the subject’s life.
Although most of the pancreas is located on the right side of the body, its tail extends into the left side of the abdomen. That is why if it becomes inflamed, pain can be felt in the left part of the abdomen and at the level of the stomach that arises or worsens just after eating, often later spreading to other areas of the body and appearing next to fever, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, and greasy stools
Pancreatitis can have fatal repercussions, so it is essential to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
7. Kidney stones and other kidney problems
On the left side of the abdomen we can also find one of the kidneys, which can sometimes generate a type of pain perceived in the left part of the stomach or nearby. This occurs especially when there are kidney stones or urinary infections
In addition to pain, it is common for difficulties or excessive urination to appear.
8. Stomach or inguinal hernia
Another possible cause of pain on the left side of the stomach is the presence of a hernia, or protrusion of part of the stomach into another area. This is the case of the hiatal hernia, in which part of the stomach exits through the hole in the diaphragm into the chest
In addition to this, another hernia whose associated pain can radiate to the stomach area is the presence of a hernia at the inguinal level.
9. Ovarian cysts and menstrual problems
In the case of women, it is also possible that pain appears on the left side due to the presence of some type of cyst (whether a single one or in cases of polycystic ovaries) in the corresponding ovary. In these cases, in addition to pain, they usually also appear menstrual disturbances, fatigue and dizziness
In addition to these cysts, it is also relatively common that pain associated with menstrual cramps or other alterations in the reproductive system may appear.
