By Medicover Hospitals / 25 March 2022 Show
Left side stomach painIndigestion is typically characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen, which is accompanied by symptoms such as belching, bloating, or a hard abdomen. If you have upper or lower left side pain, a high fever, nausea, vomiting, or severe stomach pain, seek emergency care to rule out any of the serious conditions listed above.  Other causes of left-side stomach painIf not due to gas, here are some causes of left side stomach pain - Diverticulosis - It is an inflammation of the diverticula pouches in the large intestine and is one of the most common causes of pain on the left side. It leads to abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. It is not a severe condition it can be treated. Stones in the kidneys - Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are calcium or uric acid deposits that accumulate in the kidneys. When they pass through the urinary tract, they are excruciatingly painful. Common kidney stone symptoms include left side or back pain, painful urination, fever, nausea, and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms of kidney stone pain, go to the nearest emergency room. Constipation - Constipation is another cause of abdominal pain on the left side of the body. Constipation is usually caused by a lack of exercise, dehydration, or a low-fiber diet. Most cases of constipation do not necessitate a trip to the emergency room and can be easily alleviated by increasing daily movement and drinking plenty of water. Ulcers in the stomach - Stomach ulcers, also known as gastritis or stomach inflammation, are sores in the stomach lining that are frequently caused by infections or the overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They can cause upper left side pain and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and bloody or black stools or vomit. Stomach ulcers can heal on their own, but they frequently recur if not treated properly. When to worry about pain on my left side?
Frequently Asked Questions:Yes, excess gas or constipation causes left-sided abdominal pain. Normally, left side stomach pain will go within 2 to 3 days when caused by minor conditions such as excess gas or constipation. Here are some quick methods for releasing trapped gas, such as burping or passing gas.
When the left side pain appears frequently along with other symptoms, it might be something serious. However, it can be treated easily by consulting a doctor. CitationsPancreatitis is diagnosed and treated by the GI Division of Premier Medical Group.
What is pancreatitis?Back to top Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and near to the duodenum. The job of the pancreas is to help in the digestion of food by providing enzymes to mix with food. The pancreas also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream which help to regulate the glucose from food for energy. Normally these enzymes become active only after they reach the small intestine, where they are necessary to digest food. If the enzymes become active inside the pancreas they eat and digest the tissue of the pancreas, causing swelling and bleeding which damages the pancreas and its blood vessels—this is called pancreatic inflammation. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic; both types are considered serious and can lead to complications. Bleeding, infection, and even permanent damage to the tissue may occur. Acute pancreatitis tends to affect more men than women, and rarely affects children. What causes pancreatitis?Back to top The most common cause for acute pancreatitis is high alcohol intake. In some cases genetics can play a factor, as well as certain surgeries, diseases, or habits. Other causes include:
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?Back to top The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain in the upper left abdomen or middle of the abdomen, which often radiates through to the back. The pain may become worse after eating or drinking, particularly if the food has a high fat content. It can also be worse when lying down flat on your back and can become more severe, lasting for a few days. Some patients complain of pain in their back or below the left shoulder as well. What is acute pancreatitis?Back to top Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs suddenly. A person with acute pancreatitis generally looks and feels very ill and needs immediate medical attention. The most common causes of acute pancreatitis are excessive alcohol intake and gallstones. After alcohol use, the symptoms can appear within a few hours, or could take several days. Other causes of acute pancreatitis include abdominal trauma, medications, infections, tumors, and genetic abnormalities of the pancreas. What are the symptoms of acute pancreatitis?Back to top Symptoms usually begin with a gradual or sudden pain in the upper left or middle abdomen, sometimes extending to the back. This pain can be mild in the start and worse especially after eating, gradually getting more constant and lasting for several days. Other symptoms can include, fever, rapid pulse, nausea and/or vomiting, and swollen and tender abdomen. Other common symptoms can include:
The pain:
Acute pancreatitis generally goes away by itself in a few days, with no treatment, but it can be life-threatening as well. In fact, each year approximately 210,000 Americans are admitted to hospitals with the disease. If the acute pancreatitis becomes severe, it may cause dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lungs, or kidneys can fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and even death may follow. What is chronic pancreatitis?Back to top Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal over time. It just gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. This type of pancreatitis frequently develops in people who are between the ages of 30 and 40. The causes are the same as for acute pancreatitis, causing incidents of the same type of pain. The main cause for chronic pancreatitis is years of heavy alcohol use. This can be caused by one acute attack that damages the pancreatic duct. Some people with chronic pancreatitis show no symptoms, while others undergo abdominal pain, sometimes spreading to the back. These symptoms can become aggravated after eating or drinking, making the pain worse. Some patients report no pain after a while, but this could be because the pancreas has stopped making digestive enzymes. Other common symptoms of chronic pancreatitis are:
Chronic pancreatitis, like acute pancreatitis, occurs when digestive enzymes attack the pancreas and nearby tissues, causing episodes of pain. The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is many years of heavy alcohol use. The chronic form of pancreatitis can be triggered by one acute attack that damages the pancreatic duct. The damaged duct causes the pancreas to become inflamed, causing scar tissue to develop—eventually the pancreas is destroyed. Other common causes for chronic pancreatitis include:
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?Back to top Your doctor will first want to complete a medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. Blood tests may be ordered to assist in the diagnosis, because with chronic pancreatitis there is an abnormal amount of lipase and amylase in the blood. Other chemical changes may also show up such as atypical glucose, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate. When the disease improves, these levels can return to normal. The following are diagnostic tests used to diagnose chronic pancreatitis:
How is acute pancreatitis treated?Back to top Typically acute pancreatitis requires the patient to be admitted to the hospital for several days for IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief. This allows the pancreas to rest while the patient does not eat or drink. Should vomiting occur, a nasal tube will be inserted to remove fluid and air from the stomach. Symptoms should improve within a few days and the patient can return home with instructions not to smoke, drink alcohol, or eat fatty foods. In the case of complications, the patient may need nasogastric feeding. This feeds a special liquid through the nose while the pancreas heals. How is chronic pancreatitis treated?Back to top Depending on the severity and symptoms of the chronic pancreatitis patient, he or she may require hospitalization for pain management, IV hydration, and nutritional support. Chronic pancreatitis requires the patient to eat a healthy low-fat diet, drinking lots of fluids, limiting caffeine, eating small frequent meals, and making sure you have enough calcium and vitamins in your diet. You may be prescribed pancreatic enzymes, which are taken at each meal. People with chronic pancreatitis (and acute pancreatitis) should avoid alcohol and smoking. Your doctor may prescribe pain medicines or even a surgical block for pain relief. Some patients take insulin to control glucose levels. In very severe cases, part or all of the pancreas may be removed. What else causes pain in the upper left abdomen?Back to top Pain in the upper left abdomen can be caused by things besides pancreatitis. Many of these conditions are quite serious or even life-threatening. Any pain that is out of the ordinary should be checked out by a doctor, but especially pain in the upper left abdomen. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Often, even doctors will need to order tests to make a confident diagnosis. Here are the most common causes of upper left abdominal pain. Heart/Cardio These are some of the most serious causes of pain in the upper left abdomen. As with acute pancreatitis, they require immediate medical attention. They also underscore the importance of not ignoring upper abdominal pain, especially when it’s on the left side.
Digestive/Gastro-Intestinal There a handful of issues with the upper GI system that can mimic the upper left abdominal pain of heart issues or pancreatitis. While these problems are rarely life-threatening, they can still be quite painful. Treatments are available.
Respiratory/Lungs Among the numerous conditions that can afflict the respiratory system, there are a few that are more likely to cause pain in the upper left abdomen. This could be an infection in the left, right, or both lungs (pneumonia), inflammation of the membrane inside the chest wall (pleurisy), or trapped air threatening to collapse the lung.
Chest, Ribs, and Back Along with muscle strains and pinched nerves, there are a couple conditions that can cause upper abdominal pain above and beyond a person’s normal amount of aches and pains. The cartilage that connects the rib cage with the breastbone can become inflamed as with costochondritis. Broken ribs or other physical trauma may also cause pain in this area.
Other Organ-Related Conditions Pain that radiates through the back can be an apt description of pancreatitis—as well as kidney stones. Appendicitis often causes pain which gravitates to the lower right abdomen as the condition progresses, but the pain may start in the upper abdomen. In general, abdominal pain can be a surprisingly tricky thing to describe and locate, but a conversation with your doctor combined with a physical exam can determine the likely cause of the pain and whether follow-up testing is warranted.
Why is the left side of my stomach in excruciating pain?Left side stomach pain is mostly caused by gas, but sometimes it can also be the result of more serious conditions such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, or stomach ulcers, which need immediate medical attention.
What organ is on the left side of your stomach?Your spleen is tucked below your rib cage next to your stomach on the left side of your belly. Its size generally relates to your height, weight and sex. This soft, spongy organ performs several critical jobs, such as: Filtering out and destroying old, damaged blood cells.
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Extreme pain in left side of stomach
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