It hurt on the left side under the ribs. Why does the left side of the abdomen hurt, tingle and pull. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and spine

Pain in the left hypochondrium in front, the place where the spleen, pancreas, intestines are concentrated, and the left kidney can also extend there

When something hurts, very few people immediately run to the doctor. On the one hand, it is better not to take risks, because acute pain can indicate a serious health problem that requires immediate medical attention. However, on the other hand, depending on the location of the pain, a person can independently determine what exactly is bothering him, and only then decide to visit a doctor.

What is included in the left hypochondrium area?

Our material today will discuss the causes of pain under the ribs, which are located on the left. The side of the abdomen immediately below the rib on the left is the place where the spleen, pancreas, and intestines are concentrated. The left kidney or ureter can also go there. The hypochondrium area itself is the upper quadrant on the left, which is located under the ribs.

Causes of pain in the anterior hypochondrium on the left

Now let's talk about the most common causes of pain:

• If the pain is stabbing and occurs during exercise.

If you've run a couple of kilometers and feel an unpleasant tingling sensation, there's no need to worry. Most healthy people experience similar stabbing pains during prolonged physical activity. After some time, the pain will go away on its own.

Hence the conclusion: before any physical activity, be sure to do a thorough warm-up so that the body adapts to a rapid increase in blood circulation.

When pain manifests itself during exercise, it is better not to test your strength, but to stop, properly relax your whole body (shoulders, arms, legs) and take a good breath. As you exhale, you can lightly press with your palm on the place where it hurts the most, and then bend forward. We repeat several times and move on.

In general, breathing during such exercise should be deep. If we breathe frequently, small excursions of the diaphragm begin, and the body lacks oxygen. It is also not recommended to run less than an hour and a half after a heavy meal. At this time, the body has not yet had time to adapt to physical activity.

• A cutting pain is tormenting.

It can also be called “dagger”. If such sharp pain appears for no apparent reason, it makes sense to consult a doctor. Acute pain that suddenly appears in the left hypochondrium may indicate a rupture of the spleen, as well as perforation of the walls of the stomach.

• I am worried about pain after an injury.

Asking for help is a must. Especially if the injury was caused by a fall. It is possible that internal organs were seriously damaged.

• There is a dull pain.

Are you worried about prolonged pain that “spreads” around the hypochondrium? If it “rolls up” periodically, this is already a cause for concern. Such symptoms indicate a mild disease of the stomach, intestines, etc. For example, cholecystitis or gastritis. To confirm or exclude pathologies, go to a gastroenterologist to get tested and undergo an ultrasound.

• The aching pain lingered.

Is there something constantly pulling at the bottom left? This is a characteristic symptom of colitis, although duodenitis should also not be excluded. It happens that the pain is accompanied by unpleasant nausea. A stomach ulcer should not be ruled out. The most dangerous thing is that aching pain may indicate a pre-infarction condition.

To summarize, pain of various types under the ribs may indicate the following diseases:

• An impending heart attack, damage to the heart muscle.
• Gastrointestinal disease. For example, ordinary gastritis or cholecystitis. More serious disorders are stomach ulcers or pancreatitis.
• Neuralgia.
• Rupture of the spleen due to a blow, its enlargement due to another disease.
• Tumor of the diaphragm or injury to it.

In rare cases, pain may indicate a rheumatic manifestation, pneumonia, occurring in the lower left part of the lung.

Types of pain and how to recognize them

All pain can be divided according to the mechanism of its occurrence. This indicator is an additional sign that helps determine pathology.

Referred pain appears as radiating from an organ located relatively far from the site of pain. In other words, you may have a heart attack or left-sided pneumonia, and you will think that something happened to your stomach.

Visceral pain. Most often caused by intestinal spasms and muscle strain. Flatulence is also accompanied by aching, dull pain, cramping conditions during colic, radiating to nearby areas.

Peritoneal pain. Has clear localization. It is caused by irritation of the peritoneum - for example, in the case of a stomach ulcer. With deep breathing and sudden movements, the pain intensifies.

Now let's look at the types of pain according to the nature of their localization. If pulls under the ribs in front, a differential diagnosis is made between myocardial infarction, diseases of the spleen and stomach. A shift of pain closer to the central part may indicate stomach diseases in combination with problems of the gallbladder or duodenum.

Localization of pain in the hypochondrium, but more in the back, may indicate kidney damage. In itself, such pain is quite strong and can also signal osteochondrosis. For diagnosis, an ultrasound is performed, urine and blood tests are taken. To diagnose osteochondrosis, palpation of the nerve processes is performed.

Another type of pain is its encircling nature, spreading to the anterior wall of the peritoneum. This symptom may indicate inflammation of the pancreas. At first the pain is stabbing, but then it subsides a little if you lean forward.

Diseases with pain in the left hypochondrium in front

Now you understand that nothing can “just happen” in the area of ​​the left hypochondrium. Below we will discuss the most common diseases that make themselves felt with such symptoms.

• Pathology of the diaphragm.

If the pain does not stop, it may indicate a pathology of the diaphragm. There is a special hole in it that separates the peritoneum from the chest. The esophagus needs it for normal connection with the stomach. If the muscle tissue is weakened, the lumen begins to expand. The upper section begins to extend into the chest cavity, which is unacceptable. The stomach throws the contents back into the esophagus, which causes pain on the left, sometimes with nausea.

Why does a diaphragmatic hernia develop? There are several reasons - from heavy loads to pregnancy. Due to muscle weakness, a hernia can occur in the elderly. But if the stomach is pinched, the pain is cutting in nature.

• Intercostal neuralgia.

Irritation and strong compression of the nerve between the ribs will certainly lead to unpleasant sensations. The most common is a nagging pain, which intensifies if you inhale sharply. The attack is accompanied by a tingling sensation in the chest area, which radiates to the left hypochondrium. Twitching of individual muscle groups is observed, the skin may turn pale, and increased sweating. Painful sensations appear if you press on points on the back, as well as between the ribs. Pain in the hypochondrium does not depend on the time of day or weather. It can be observed both in the morning and in the evening.

• Cardiac pathology.

Coronary heart disease can be felt by pain in the left side. However, such pain is also accompanied by shortness of breath during exercise, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and heaviness in the chest. Similar pain can be observed with cardiomyopathy, which is the medical term for a disorder of the blood supply to the heart.

• Problems with the spleen.

The fact is that the spleen is very close to the surface of the human body. Any of its pathologies are accompanied by painful sensations. If it is infectious mononucleosis, additional symptoms may include fever and muscle pain, as well as swollen lymph nodes.

Splenic hypertrophy– this is a condition when an organ begins to work in an enhanced mode and perform immune, phagocytic functions. The size of the organ increases, which causes pain on the left. Particularly sharp pain may occur due to injury or blow. Blueness of the skin around the navel indicates a ruptured spleen.

• Diseases of the stomach and pancreas.

It is worth noting that these diseases are one of the most common causes of unpleasant pain in the hypochondrium. The first place is occupied by gastritis, which affects the majority of citizens of our country. The spread of the disease is explained by the poor state of the modern food industry. Our gastric mucosa reacts very subtly to any irritants. Well, there are enough of them in our diet. The most characteristic signs of gastritis are aching pain in the hypochondrium and epigastric region, nausea and unpleasant belching, heartburn, and a feeling of heaviness. These symptoms appear after a heavy meal.

• Peptic ulcer disease.

Has similar symptoms. However, if the ulcer is perforated, the main symptom is a fairly sharp, cutting pain. It occurs suddenly, and the person may even lose consciousness.

• Pancreatic diseases.

A characteristic symptom of pancreatitis is severe pain in the left hypochondrium. It is accompanied by vomiting with bile, severe and constant nausea, and bitterness in the mouth. The temperature may rise and the urine may turn dark.

• Oncological diseases.

You should be alert to discomfort in the hypochondrium if it is accompanied by an aversion to a particular food, lack of appetite, rapid satiety, a series of diarrhea and constipation.

Now you know what pain in the left hypochondrium is and what needs to be done in case of certain manifestations of it.

Pain is often a warning sign of some disease. Find out what can hurt on the left side under the ribs, and what should be done about it.

Pain can be understood in different ways. This term means moral or physical discomfort, torment, suffering. Physical pain is usually a symptom of some disease, and when making a diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the location of its location.

Pain in the left hypochondrium cannot be considered the only specific manifestation of a certain pathology. To understand why it occurred, what exactly is wrong with the person, the doctor needs to evaluate the accompanying symptoms. It is impossible to diagnose yourself if it hurts on the left side under the ribs. But the article will help to guess what conditions and diseases cause it.

What can hurt under the left rib in front, what is there?

The torso is a part of the human body that combines the chest, abdomen and back. It contains a large number of vital human organs. If pain occurs on the left below the ribs in the form of spasmodic attacks, shooting, stretching, one may suspect that one of these internal organs is malfunctioning.
Look at the picture below, it shows the structure of the human torso quite schematically, but clearly.

Organs that are located on the left side of the body, behind and under the ribs.

On the left side in the region of the ribs and hypochondrium are located:

The left ovary and left appendage in women with various diseases, including inflammatory diseases, can give unpleasant sensations to the left under the ribs.
The organs of the chest, abdomen and back are surrounded by a muscular corset. For various reasons, muscles can also ache on the left in the area of ​​the frontal hypochondrium.

IMPORTANT: It must be remembered that pain in some pathologies can spread throughout the body, radiate to completely different parts of it (radiate). It is not at all necessary that the affected organ that gives pain is located on the left or exactly under the ribs. A similar symptom can appear with intercostal neuralgia, osteochondrosis, renal or hepatic colic, etc.

An affected organ located at a considerable distance from it can irradiate.

Why and for what disease can there be unpleasant sensations under the left rib in front, how to remove them?

Pain is a complex protective reaction of the body, which is provoked by:

• inflammation of an organ and, as a result, its swelling
• disruption of blood supply to an organ, as a result of which the tissues forming it and the nerve endings innervating it do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients (their trophism is disrupted)
• violation of the integrity of the organs themselves or the mucous membranes lining their cavities due to injury, surgery, infection, etc.

Pathologies in which there is pain under the ribs on the left.

If acute pain occurs on the left, below the ribs, you need to go to a medical facility and undergo examinations to accurately determine its cause. The complex of therapeutic measures will necessarily include pain relief with antispasmodic or analgesic drugs.

Why might there be an aching, dull pain under the left rib in the front, how can I get rid of it?

Dull pain, aching sensations in the abdominal area on the left can occur due to poor nutrition or prolonged fasting. The reason could be much more serious. Persistent aching pain often signals a sluggish or chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive organs (stomach, intestines, pancreas).

Under no circumstances should you take painkillers on your own, without a qualified diagnosis. The symptom will dull for a while, but the cause of the discomfort will not disappear. The disease may worsen and the pain may become even worse over time.

IMPORTANT: If you periodically or constantly have pain in the left hypochondrium, consult a therapist or gastroenterologist, take a set of tests, and undergo ultrasound diagnostics.

Why can there be paroxysmal wandering pain under the left rib in the front and how to remove it?

If you feel discomfort under the ribs on the left side of the body, know that it can be caused by diseases of the organs located in this area, as well as other diseases in which the pain radiates.
Your condition can be described something like this: it hurts here and there, severe pain is located there, but from time to time it lingers on the left, under the ribs, lumbago is felt there, etc.

Causes of paroxysmal, wandering pain in the left hypochondrium.

Again, relieving pain by taking any symptomatic medications without eliminating its cause will only work for a short time.

Why can there be a burning, sharp pain under the left rib in the front and how to relieve it?

If a sharp, burning pain suddenly appears on the left side, where your ribs are, do not even think about taking antispasmodics or painkillers on your own. You most likely have an acute condition caused by injury or acute inflammatory disease, possibly life-threatening:

• perforation of gastric ulcer
• splenic rupture
• renal pelvis rupture
• intestinal perforation
• ruptured appendix (less commonly)
• left-sided pleurisy

The drugs listed above are unlikely to solve your problem, but they will blur the clinical picture. If you feel sharp pain in the left hypochondrium, call an ambulance immediately!

Why can there be pain in the left hypochondrium with constipation, belching and nausea?

Gastritis is a very common pathology today, caused by poor diet, metabolic disorders and other circumstances.

Gastritis is a possible cause of pain in the designated area.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a doctor. The specialist also determines whether the disease is acute or chronic. The treatment is prescribed comprehensively: the patient should take the following medications:

• anti-Helicobacter
• normalizing acidity
• anti-inflammatory
• for nausea and vomiting
• painkillers (No-Shpu, Papaverine, Platiffilin)

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with gastritis and stomach ulcers?

Gastritis and stomach ulcers are common causes of pain in the left hypochondrium. The pain is either constant or occurs after eating. They are accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, including weakness, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, nausea, heartburn, vomiting after eating, and others. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a doctor.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front during poisoning?

Poisoning, or intestinal infection, is manifested by pain spreading throughout the abdomen and hypochondrium, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and other symptoms.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with a hernia?

Diaphragmatic hernia.

Between the chest and abdominal cavity of a person there is a muscular plate called the diaphragm. It not only delimits these two cavities, but also takes an active part in breathing. The diaphragm has an opening for the esophagus. Due to injury, during pregnancy, due to poor nutrition or very hard physical labor, or for a number of other reasons, a pathology may occur in which the sternum organs move into the abdominal cavity and vice versa. This pathology is called diaphragmatic hernia.
With it, the patient feels:

• pain in the chest and/or hypochondrium, including the left
• heartburn
• nausea
• heartbeat

Symptoms intensify after the patient eats. Methods of treatment and pain relief for diaphragmatic hernia are chosen by the doctor. In most cases, surgery is not possible.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in front during a heart attack?

During myocardial infarction, when necrosis of a section of the heart muscle occurs, the patient feels a sharp, burning pain behind the sternum. This pain may radiate to the left into:

• lower jaw
• shoulder
• hypochondrium

IMPORTANT: It is characteristic that pain during a heart attack is not relieved by painkillers and nitroglycerin. Since the pathology often causes death, the patient should be immediately hospitalized.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with diseases of the spleen?

A number of infections, including mononucleosis, lead to an enlarged spleen. The medical name of the pathology is splenomegaly. Its most striking symptom is pain of varying nature and intensity in the left hypochondrium.

IMPORTANT: Painful sensations on the left side of the body under the lower ribs also occur with injuries, rupture or tumor disease of the spleen.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with constipation and flatulence?

Overdistension of the intestines due to the accumulation of feces (constipation) or gases (flatulence) is manifested by the appearance of pain spreading over the abdomen, right and left hypochondrium.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with pancreatitis?

Pain under the ribs on the left side of the body is a classic sign of acute pancreatitis.

When the pancreas is inflamed, it gives pain in the left hypochondrium.

In parallel with it, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, and fever may appear. Urine and feces change color.
The nature of the pain can be dagger-like, paroxysmal, pulling, or encircling. It is very strong and difficult to relieve with painkillers.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with pneumonia?

If the lungs become inflamed due to infection, the patient experiences a number of unpleasant symptoms, the intensity of which depends on how severe the disease is.

Thus, a patient may complain of pain under the left rib if, in addition to the lungs, the pleura was affected by the inflammatory process, as well as in cases where pneumonia is provoked by mycoplasma, chlamydia, legionella and a number of other pathogens.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with pleurisy?

With pleurisy, the patient feels pain on the side of the affected lung, that is, on the right or left.

Symptoms of pleurisy.

Can it hurt and how does it hurt under the left rib in the front with oncology?

Cancer incidence rates are steadily increasing today. Oncology is dangerous because at first it may not make itself felt, therefore, it is important not to miss the moment. If pain begins to ache on the left under the rib for no reason, or other alarming symptoms are present (quick satiety, aversion to food in general or to a specific product, problems with stool, etc.), you should be examined immediately.

What to do for pain in the left hypochondrium?

If you are suddenly cramped by pain in the left hypochondrium, probably the first thing that comes to your mind is to drink No-shpu, Spazmalgon, or some other painkiller. But this is absolutely forbidden.

1. Call an ambulance.
2. Before she arrives, provide yourself with access to oxygen, take the most comfortable position for you, and remain calm.
3. Listen to the recommendations of the ambulance team, do not refuse hospitalization.
4. After examination and diagnosis, in order to cure the disease that is the cause of the pain, follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

VIDEO: Pain under the left rib

Any discomfort in the left hypochondrium is an indicator of many pathologies. Due to the fact that this area of ​​the peritoneum is occupied by several organs, dysfunction of any of them can be a potential source of pain. It hurts on the left under the ribs in front: what is it, and what consequences this process can have on the body, read on.

Depending on the description of the pain process and previous events, it seems possible to find out the cause of its occurrence. However, self-diagnosis of the body can pose a health hazard. Only a qualified specialist, after carrying out a series of diagnostic measures, is able to detect the disease.

Table 1. Pain sensations

Summarizing the above factors, painful sensations can be triggered by the following ailments:

• heart attack;
• pleurisy;
• splenic rupture;
• tumors of the gastrointestinal tract;
• dysfunction of the heart muscle;
• duodenitis;
• intercostal neuralgia;
• splenomegaly;
• diaphragmatic hernia.

In general, any diseases of the “representatives” of the digestive system, localized in the left part of the peritoneum, can provoke a painful attack.

A good diagnostic source is a detailed description of the pain pattern, starting from the moment of its onset:

1. Reflected. It appears as an echo of painful sensations coming from organs adjacent to this area, such as during pneumonia.
2. Visceral. Accompanies intestinal spasms and disruptions in the motor functions of the stomach. With increased gas formation, it can spread from the left to the right hypochondrium.
3. Peritoneal. The source of occurrence is easily determined. The pain is caused by irritation of the abdominal area. Observed during exacerbation of stomach ulcers.

Note. If pain slowly moves from the left side of the abdomen to the navel, doctors diagnose diseases of the duodenum.

Why does it hurt on the left side under the ribs in front?

Centuries-old medical practice has succeeded in identifying internal pathologies. Women experience pain on the left side during exacerbation of endometriosis. The affected tissues, when swollen, provoke the occurrence of prolonged nagging pain that fills the peritoneum.

Cracks and fractures of the ribs also lead to severe pain in the left hypochondrium. Numerous fractures pose a danger to organs located adjacent to the sternum and cause severe damage to the body.

Among the many diseases localized in this zone, the most typical and common ones can be identified.

Pathologies of the diaphragm

The opening in the thoraco-abdominal barrier, intended for the esophagus, serves as the border zone between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. If the muscular frame weakens, the lumen becomes larger, which is fraught with movement of the upper part of the stomach from the peritoneum to the sternum. At the same time, the “filling” of the stomach begins to be released into the esophagus.

Factors that enhance the formation of a hernia:

• bearing a fetus;
• decreased muscle tone;
• excess weight;
• excessive loads.

Often this condition leads to pinching of the stomach, accompanied by acute, cutting pain.

Intercostal neuralgia

Many neurological pathologies can lead to irritation of the nerves located between the ribs. Painful sensations are characterized by a wide range of manifestations - from weak and aching to cutting. When coughing, sharp sighs or changing body position, the pain intensifies.

The attacks are severe: a stabbing pain arises in the sternum, radiating to the left side, the muscles spasm and sweating increases. When you press on the spine area, severe pain occurs.

During neuralgia, pain covers the entire lumbar region and the area under the shoulder blades. The pain lasts for a long period of time and often leads to numbness in certain areas of the body.

Heart pathologies

Despite the fact that the left part of the peritoneum is attached to the organs of the digestive system, diseases of the internal motor are also expressed through discomfort in this area.

For example, the following symptoms are typical for coronary heart disease:

• aching, weak pain;
• constant shortness of breath;
• cardiopalmus;
• nausea;
• burning sensation in the chest area.

Ischemia is caused by pathologies of the arteries, leading to a deterioration in the blood supply to the heart.

Also, similar symptoms are observed with cardiomyopathy, characterized by dysfunction of the heart muscle. It is accompanied by severe asthenia and acute pain during any active actions.

The gastralgic form of myocardial infarction in 3% of situations manifests itself through pain in the left side of the abdomen. Patients note uncomfortable, bursting sensations in the sternum, increased sweating, diarrhea and nausea, turning into vomiting. Such symptoms often mislead specialists when making a diagnosis, since they are similar to the manifestations of digestive disorders. Difficulty breathing, blue lips and swelling of the face indicate the presence of heart problems.

Spleen diseases

The spleen is a fragile, easily injured organ. Any negative changes in its functioning are accompanied by painful sensations. In patients suffering from excess weight, pathological processes manifest themselves less noticeably, because it is deeply “hidden” in the left hypochondrium area.

Enlargement of the spleen occurs in infectious pathologies. In addition to pronounced painful sensations, the pathology is characterized by the following symptoms:

• high body temperature;
• angina;
• migraine;
• intoxication;
• muscle pain;
• enlarged lymph nodes and liver.

With hypertrophy of the spleen, which occurs against the background of immune diseases, the injured organ causes pain. It manifests itself especially acutely with severe injuries leading to rupture of the spleen. In addition to discomfort, evidence of cracks is the bluish discoloration of the skin in the central part of the peritoneum due to the accumulation of a large amount of blood contained in the organ.

Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract

Considering the specificity of the left part of the peritoneum, the most characteristic ailments manifested through pain in the left hypochondrium are considered to be diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Table 2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Pathologies of the pancreas

Despite the fact that the organ is partially located in the left hypochondrium, pancreatic diseases often manifest themselves through severe pain in this area.

One of the most characteristic diseases of the gland is pancreatitis, for which the following symptoms are typical:

• acute, prolonged pain;
• nausea;
• fever;
• regular vomiting of bile;
• a feeling of bitterness in the mouth;
• darkening of urine;
• lightening of stool.

The pain can be so piercing that the patient is unable to straighten up. The only acceptable body position during an attack is sitting with your head pressed to your knees. In the chronic form of the disease, patients report aching pain that appears after eating fatty foods.

You can find more detailed information about what pancreatitis is and why it is dangerous.

Note. Due to the fact that this organ is difficult to access, oncological pathologies of the pancreas are difficult to diagnose. In the initial stages of cancer, there are practically no symptoms.

Treatment methods

Diagnostics involves the use of a wide variety of instrumental and laboratory tests:

• X-ray;
• blood and urine tests;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;

Depending on the complaints and examination results, the patient is prescribed a consultation with a specialist doctor - a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, surgeon, traumatologist and endocrinologist.

To relieve painful sensations and eliminate the disease that provoked them, specialists use the following methods.

Table 3. Methods for relieving and eliminating painful sensations

If severe discomfort occurs in the area of ​​the left hypochondrium, and pain appears at regular intervals, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-diagnosis and treatment not coordinated with a specialist can lead to negative consequences for the body. Timely initiation of therapy will help prevent diseases from becoming chronic and maintain health.

Video - Pain and heaviness in the left hypochondrium

Painful and unpleasant sensations in the left hypochondrium may indicate the presence of a wide variety of health problems, ranging from intercostal neuralgia to heart disease. Often, the symptoms that appear are enough to suggest a particular disease, which has its own characteristics of clinical manifestation and course. Why the left side hurts under the ribs and how you can get rid of it, we will find out further.

Causes

Considering the nature of the pain and the location of its localization, the reasons that provoke discomfort in the hypochondrium area may be as follows:

1. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract: ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, colitis, gastroduodenitis, cholecystitis.
2. Neoplasms of internal organs that put pressure on nerve endings, causing pain.
3. Cardiovascular diseases: myocardial infarction, ischemia, cardiomyopathy.
4. Pathological changes in the spleen, in which blockage of its vessels occurs, which provokes thrombosis and rupture (infarction).
5. Intercostal neuralgia, in which the large nerve roots of the ribs become inflamed.
6. Diaphragmatic hernia and bruises.
7. Left-sided pneumonia, developing into pleurisy.
8. Urolithiasis disease.

These pathologies affect vital organs, so you shouldn’t delay diagnosis and treatment.

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from Voronezh State Medical University named after. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical resident and neurologist of the BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

The main cause of pain in the gastrointestinal tract is an inflammatory process, which is caused by the development of pathogenic microflora. Most often, the provocateur is bacteria of the genus Helicobacter pylori, which are able to tightly attach to the internal walls of the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation. Pain in the left side under the ribs can be caused by diseases of the digestive system such as:

1. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, in which the organ is not able to produce the required amount of secretion necessary for the complete digestion of food in the stomach.
2. Gastritis - an inflammatory process localized in the upper parts of the stomach, causing heartburn, cramping pain and lack of appetite.
3. An ulcer is a consequence of gastritis, which remained untreated for a long time. Pathogenic microflora corrodes the walls of the stomach, which leads to the appearance of bleeding ulcers.
4. Gastroduodenitis is an inflammatory process that simultaneously affects the lower stomach and duodenum.
5. Colitis is an inflammatory process in the large intestine, which is provoked mainly by the dysentery bacillus.

Type of pain
Pain in acute pancreatitis spastic and confining. Any movement of the body causes increased pain. Gastritis and ulcers provoke the development of dagger pain, which dulls over time, but does not disappear without proper treatment.

Intestinal inflammation causes a feeling of fullness in the left hypochondrium, as well as spastic pain, which can turn into aching pain.

Localization
Pancreatitis is determined by the presence of pain in the left hypochondrium, where the pancreas itself is located. Gastritis and ulcers can radiate to the left hypochondrium, but the source of pain is in the place where the inflammation is concentrated. Gastroduodenitis and colitis cause bursting pain in the left hypochondrium from the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity.
Diagnostics
In addition to the above symptoms, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are diagnosed in the following ways:

1. General blood test, as well as blood sugar test.
2. Blood and stool analysis.
3. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
4. Gastroscopy.
5. Analysis of gastric juice, as well as cytology and smear histology.
6. Intestinal endoscopy.

Treatment
Therapy is aimed at relieving an acute attack of pain, as well as further eliminating its cause – inflammation. For these purposes, medications such as:

1. Antibiotics to which pathogenic microflora are less resistant: cephalosporins, pinicillins, tetracyclines.
2. Enzymes that help break down food: Pancreatin, Mezim.
3. Probiotics that stabilize intestinal microflora: Linex, Acipol, Bifiform.

During treatment, it is important to follow a strict diet and also drink a lot of pure mineral water without carbon.

In cases where the inflammatory process is extensive and threatens to spread to nearby tissues and organs, a decision is made to remove part of the affected organ.

Neoplasms of internal organs

Determine neoplasm of internal organs yourself almost impossible. The following symptoms should alert you:

• compactions and bulging in the left hypochondrium, which cause acute pain on palpation;
• lack of appetite, feeling of fullness in the stomach and intestines;
• frequent constipation or diarrhea that cannot be controlled with medications;
• seething, burning and heat in the abdominal cavity;
• the appearance of bloody discharge in stool and vomit.

Type of pain
Even if the neoplasm is benign in nature, its body, which is constantly increasing in volume, puts pressure on neighboring tissues, causing dull and aching, but constant pain.

It is the persistence of pain that is a reason to suspect the presence of neoplasms.

Localization
Left hypochondrium and center of the abdominal cavity.
Diagnostics
The presence of neoplasms can be determined using complex diagnostics:

1. Blood, urine and stool analysis.
2. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
3. MRI and CT.
4. X-ray.

Treatment
Therapy for neoplasms is aimed at tumor excision, as well as correction of its growth. Drugs are used that affect hormonal levels, forcing the body to stop provoking degeneration and uncontrolled cell growth.

Heart pathologies

Since the heart is located on the left side of the sternum, its pathologies may well provoke pain in the left side under the ribs. Most often, radiating pain in the left hypochondrium, which is combined with increased heart rate, shortness of breath and deterioration of general condition, can be associated with heart diseases such as:

1. Ischemia is heart failure that occurs as a result of an acute lack of oxygen.
2. Myocardial infarction is a blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot, in which blood stops flowing to certain parts of the heart. In its acute form, a heart attack involves a rupture of the vessel wall, which leads to extensive internal bleeding.
3. Cardiomyopathy is a change in the heart muscle that affects its functions. It is a precursor to heart failure, but has no cause-and-effect relationship with arrhythmia and arterial hypertension.

Type of pain
In cases of heart disease or heart attacks, tingling in the left breast area and left hypochondrium. Sharp pain can hinder movement and also intensify when inhaling, which cannot be taken “full chest”.

The clinical picture is complemented by the appearance of shortness of breath, dizziness, and the appearance of wet sweat.

Localization
The pain focus is in the heart area, and the pain in the left hypochondrium when inhaling is less pronounced.
Diagnostics
Heart pathologies are defined as follows:

1. Detailed and biochemical blood test.
2. Ultrasound of the heart.
3. Electrocardiogram.
4. Vascular MRI.
5. CT scan.

Treatment
In the event of an attack emergency assistance must be called, since from the moment acute pain appears, time passes by seconds and a person’s life often depends on the speed of hospitalization. The patient undergoes resuscitation measures aimed at stabilizing the heart.

Spleen problems

This organ is located deep in the hypochondrium on the left, so pain can spread evenly to both the left hypochondrium and the upper lumbar region. Infectious diseases lead to damage to the spleen, in which the organ increases in size and also loses its ability to filter blood. But this is not the only pathology of the organ that can cause pain on the left under the ribs. This may also include:

1. Pathologies of development and neoplasms.
2. Bruises caused by a strong blow to the left hypochondrium.
3. Ruptures of the spleen, which result in profuse bleeding into the abdominal cavity.

The most acute pain occurs when an organ ruptures due to injury. The patient cannot take a breath, and a burning sensation and spreading warmth are felt in the stomach.
Localization
The pain appears on the left under the ribs, but can radiate to the lower back, groin and navel.
Diagnostics
Blueness of the skin near the navel, painful palpation of the left hypochondrium and unbearable pain are three complementary clinical manifestations of problems with the spleen. A more specific diagnosis can be made using the following diagnostic methods:

1. Blood analysis.
2. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
3. MRI.

Treatment
In case of splenic rupture, it is necessary surgery to remove damaged tissue. Otherwise, treatment comes down to taking special medications that support the functioning of the organ, which is complemented by a strict diet and lack of physical activity.

If the spleen is damaged by pathogenic microorganisms, special antibacterial therapy is selected to suppress them.

Quite often confused with a heart attack, the symptoms of which are largely similar. However, intercostal neuralgia is not so dangerous and has no connection with heart pathologies. This disease is determined by inflammation of the nerve roots located between the ribs of the thoracic spine. Most often, the inflammatory process occurs after an injury or bruise, as well as as a consequence of other inflammatory processes occurring in a chronic form, located extremely close.
Type of pain
A nagging pain that occurs in the form of an attack. Restricts movement, worsens with sighing, coughing and sneezing.

Aching pain in the left side under the ribs is noted in the presence of a chronic inflammatory process.

Localization
The source of pain is in the place where there is inflammation. It can hurt both the entire hypochondrium area and individual areas, affecting specific ribs.
Diagnostics
During diagnosis, it is important to differentiate intercostal neuralgia from other pathologies with similar manifestations. For this use:

1. X-ray.
2. MRI.
3. Consultation with a neurologist with examination and assessment of pain.
4. Electrospondylography.
5. Myelography.

In case of an acute attack and severe pain use, allowing you to quickly relieve unbearable pain. Further treatment is carried out using complex painkillers and, as well as B vitamins, which are involved in the normalization and strengthening of neural connections. Physiotherapy is used as an auxiliary method in the following manifestations:

• acupuncture;
• electrophoresis;
• mud baths.

Diaphragmatic hernia and its bruises

The diaphragm separates the thoracic region from the abdominal cavity, and when its muscles weaken, it occurs protrusion of the stomach through the lumen into the chest cavity. As a result, the contents of the stomach are constantly thrown into the esophagus, the person suffers from pain, heartburn and excessive belching.

A diaphragm bruise is possible when falling from a height or a targeted blow to its location.

Type of pain
Dull pain in the left hypochondrium, which intensifies with palpation and after eating, if the volume of the stomach increases.
Localization
Since the stomach, pinched by the diaphragmatic lumen, is directed to the left, it hurts on the left under the ribs. The pain can also radiate to the back and left shoulder blade.
Diagnostics
Making an accurate diagnosis is possible only after hardware diagnostics: ultrasound of the diaphragm and abdominal organs, MRI, CT.
Treatment
If the hernia is small, it is possible to combat it with the help of fractional nutrition, taking antacids and pain relievers. If the lumen increases, an operation is indicated, with the help of which the lumen is sutured, and the stomach is determined to its usual anatomical position.

Pneumonia and pleurisy

Pneumonia is inflammatory process in the lungs, which is provoked by pneumococci. Pleurisy is an advanced stage of pneumonia, when the inflammatory process descends lower, affecting the pleura that envelops the lungs.
Type of pain
Pain that restricts breathing. Intensifies with sharp inhalation and exhalation.

Sharp, shooting.

Localization
It hurts on the left side under the ribs if the pneumonia is left-sided. The pain can spread to the spine and shoulder blades.
Diagnostics
Pneumonia and pleurisy are determined by examining the patient and assessing his breathing. Confirmation is provided by a urine and blood test, as well as an x-ray.

In particularly difficult situations, an MRI may be required.

Treatment
Since the cause of inflammation is pathogenic microflora, the key to a speedy recovery lies in the selection of the correct antibacterial therapy. The following are auxiliary means that relieve pain and normalize breathing:

• compresses based on;
• dry heat;
• sternum massage;
• breathing exercises.

Urolithiasis disease

Since the left kidney is located on the side, any inflammatory processes in it, including pyelonephritis and urolithiasis, can cause severe pain, radiating to the left hypochondrium. Urolithiasis, caused by the increase and deposition of salts into conglomerates, is characterized by painful and frequent urination, as well as shooting and stabbing pains radiating into the peritoneum.
Type of pain
With renal colic, the pain is acute, sharp, stabbing, squeezing.

At rest, the kidney may ache.

Localization
Pain in the kidney can radiate to the left hypochondrium and to the back.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made on the basis of a urine test for salt content, as well as a blood test for the presence of an inflammatory process. An ultrasound of the kidneys may be required.
Treatment
Diet, as well as drug therapy using diuretics that accelerate the excretion of salts, will help reduce the salt content in the urine.

Laser therapy or surgical excision are used to crush stones that have blocked the ducts.

In what case should you see a doctor immediately?

Don't delay getting medical help if the patient has the following symptoms:

1. A sharp increase in temperature.
2. Blueness of the skin of the abdomen.
3. Vomiting with blood.
4. Diarrhea, more often 8-10 times a day.
5. Signs of dehydration.
6. Painful urination.

It is almost impossible to independently determine what it might be.

Only comprehensive diagnostics will allow you to make a correct diagnosis and receive qualified medical care as quickly as possible.

Be sure to watch the next video

First aid

Since the clinical picture of the disease should be preserved until the doctor arrives, it is not recommended to give any painkillers or other medications. You should calm the patient down, put him in a comfortable position and call an ambulance, describing what hurts and how it hurts.

Thus, there can be a lot of situations in which it hurts on the left under the ribs. And they are all connected to vital organs, so you should not self-medicate, but rather get qualified help as quickly as possible.

Crib

1. Pain in the left side appears for the following reasons: gastrointestinal diseases, neoplasms, heart pathologies, problems with the spleen, intercostal neuralgia, hernia, pneumonia and pleurisy, urolithiasis.
2. Diagnostic methods: blood, stool and gastric juice analysis, ultrasound, gastroscopy, endoscopy, MRI and CT, x-ray, electrocardiogram, myelography.
3. Treatment: surgery, diet, physiotherapy (acupuncture, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, mud baths), blockades, drug therapy using antibiotics, diuretics, NSAIDs, antacids and antispasmodics, taking enzymes and probiotics, antibacterial therapy.
4. See a doctor immediately if: the temperature is elevated, the skin on the abdomen turns blue, vomiting and diarrhea appear, signs of dehydration, painful urination.
5. Before the ambulance arrives: place the patient in a comfortable position, ensure rest, and do not give any medications.

Pain in the left hypochondrium can be a symptom of a number of diseases and pathological conditions. In a person, on the left under the ribs there is the spleen, pancreas, part of the stomach, the left part of the diaphragm, the upper pole of the left kidney and intestinal loops, so for the correct diagnosis of the disease it is important to know the nature of the pain and its localization, the dependence of pain on food intake and other factors.

What can hurt in the left hypochondrium?

Pain in the left side under the ribs can be caused by organs, nerve endings and organs located in the neighborhood located in this area. The source of pain can be:

• pancreas (the left part of this organ is located in the left hypochondrium);
• stomach (the bottom of this hollow organ is adjacent to the ribs);
• colon (in the left part of the abdomen in the subcostal region there is a loop of transition from this part of the intestine to the descending part of the large intestine);
• spleen;
• left side of the diaphragm;
• left lung and pleura;
• heart and mediastinum (reflection of pain from the chest organs);
• left kidney and ureters (the upper pole of this organ is located in the area under the ribs);
• left appendages of the uterus in women (pain of a radiating nature);
• ribs, muscles and nerves located in the left hypochondrium.

Pain in the left hypochondrium can occur both in the upper part (closer to the ribs) of this area and in its lower part. It is difficult even for a doctor to determine the disease in each specific case by this nonspecific symptom, so it is important to know the nature of the pain and the degree of its intensity.

Types of pain in the left hypochondrium

Painful sensations, according to their characteristics and mechanism of occurrence, are divided into:

• Visceral. This type of pain can be cramping or aching, occurs with spasms of the stomach or intestines, and manifests itself when the motility of these organs is impaired or their muscle fibers are stretched. May transmit to nearby organs.
• Peritoneal. They have a clear localization, are distinguished by constancy and intensity, arise suddenly and last for a fairly long period of time, and subside gradually. This type of pain is caused by irritation of the peritoneum. It develops with structural changes in organs (perforation of a stomach ulcer, etc.) and accompanies a pathological condition called “acute abdomen” (peritonitis, acute pancreatitis).
• Reflected. They develop due to the irradiation of pain that arose as a result of the pathology of an organ distant from the location of the pain. Pain may radiate to the left hypochondrium in the presence of pulmonary diseases (left-sided pneumonia, pleurisy).

According to the nature of the pain, pain in the left side under the ribs can be:

• Sharp, cutting. It occurs suddenly, is intense, is associated with life-threatening situations, and therefore requires calling an ambulance (it is a symptom of splenic rupture, perforation of the stomach or intestinal wall, rupture of the renal pelvis). Acute pain in the left hypochondrium when inhaling is a sign of traumatic injury to internal organs as a result of an accident or fall.
• Dull, spilled. Dull pain in the left hypochondrium that has been present for a long period indicates the presence of a chronic disease (pancreatitis, gastritis, etc.).
• Aching. Constant aching pain on the left under the ribs is a sign of a sluggish inflammatory process (colitis or duodenitis). Exhausting aching pain in this area in the presence of vomiting indicates a stomach ulcer. Frequently occurring pain in the left hypochondrium can be caused by angina pectoris, coronary heart disease and pre-infarction conditions.
• Stabbing. It can occur during intense physical activity, passes quickly and is observed even in absolutely healthy people. Stitching pain on the left under the rib, which intensifies with coughing and deep breathing or is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, is a sign of inflammatory diseases. This type of pain can occur with diseases of the spleen, intestines, heart and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

In order to speed up the process of identifying the cause of pain, it is important to take into account indirect manifestations of pain. When describing pain in the left hypochondrium, you need to indicate:

• when did the pain begin?
• how the process developed;
• what is the nature of the pain under the rib;
• duration of pain;
• pain intensity;
• reasons for strengthening and relief;
• where does the pain go (irradiation).

Helps to establish the cause of pain and its location (pain can occur under the last left rib in the front, back and side).

Pain in the left hypochondrium anteriorly

Pain under the left rib in the front occurs when:

• . In chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pain during palpation intensifies. An acute inflammatory process is characterized by sharp, severe pain.
• Diseases of the spleen. The pain can be sharp or dull and pressing, depending on the nature of the disease.
• Heart diseases. The pain is burning or stabbing in nature.
• Lesions of the diaphragm, pleura and lung. The pain is sharp, rapidly growing, aggravated by deep breathing, coughing and turning.
• Diseases of the gallbladder with its atypical localization (the pain is aching in nature).
• Diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system.

Diseases of the digestive system

The causes of pain in the left hypochondrium in front can be:

• Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which in the acute form of the disease is accompanied by intense pain, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, fever, chills and vomiting with bile (vomiting can be indomitable and does not bring relief). The feces acquire a mushy consistency and there are particles of undigested food. If inflammation affects the head of the pancreas, obstructive jaundice may develop. The chronic form of the disease is characterized by dull, aching pain in the left hypochondrium, which intensifies with dietary errors. May be shingles in nature. There is bitterness in the mouth, heaviness in the upper abdomen, nausea, and possible vomiting. With pancreatitis, pain can radiate to the lower back, be constant or paroxysmal.
• Pancreatic tumors. The appearance of tumors in this organ in the later stages of the disease is accompanied by prolonged and intense pain in the left hypochondrium and in the center of the abdomen. The pain intensifies if the patient lies on his back, so he is forced to take a semi-bent position.
• Acute duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum), which is accompanied by bursting, paroxysmal pain in the stomach area, radiating to the area of ​​the lower left rib (may radiate to the right hypochondrium or be girdling), nausea, rumbling and bloating, bitter belching or vomiting with bile , intestinal disorders and general weakness.
• Duodenal ulcer, in which severe pain occurs in the left side of the epigastrium several hours after eating, radiating to the left hypochondrium. Pain occurs when you feel hungry, as well as at night. Heartburn, sour belching, vomiting and constipation are observed. When pressed, pain occurs in the right side of the epigastrium.
• Peptic ulcer, in which pain in the upper abdomen and in the left hypochondrium can be of a different nature (dull, aching, sharp, burning). It occurs when you feel hungry and at night, and lasts for a long period of time. May occur immediately after eating or long after eating. Accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and noticeable weight loss.
• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). Dull, aching pain in the left side under the rib that occurs after eating is characteristic of gastritis with low acidity. Accompanied by a tendency to diarrhea and decreased appetite. Vomiting relieves the patient's condition. With normal and high acidity, heartburn is present, pain occurs several hours after eating, and is felt under the ribs closer to the center.
• Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper intestinal loops (colitis), which is accompanied by a dull, aching pain that intensifies when walking. Pain under the rib and in the navel area is accompanied by increased gas formation, stomach rumbling, and diarrhea is often present.

Intense, sudden, dagger-like pain is a symptom of a perforation of a stomach ulcer. This life-threatening condition is accompanied by general weakness, sudden pallor, and possible loss of consciousness. A patient with these symptoms requires emergency hospitalization.

If there is constant pain in the left side under the ribs, and the pain is in no way related to eating, it is necessary to exclude tumor diseases of the digestive organs.

Spleen diseases

If the left side hurts under the ribs in front, the cause may be diseases of the spleen:

• Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), which is observed in infectious, autoimmune and myeloproliferative diseases, hematological disorders and metabolic disorders (infectious mononucleosis most often causes this pathology). Accompanied by pallor of the skin, decreased appetite and performance. With the inflammatory nature of the disease, the body temperature rises to febrile levels, severe weakness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are observed. The pain in the left hypochondrium is sharp and cutting in nature. A non-inflammatory pathology is characterized by normal or subfebrile body temperature, intoxication is mild or absent, moderate pain is characterized by a dull pressing or aching character.
• Spleen abscess, which develops as a result of infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases of other organs, injuries and bruises. Accompanied by high body temperature, fever and enlarged spleen. The pain intensifies with deep inspiration and can be felt in the shoulder and left side of the chest.

Heart diseases

Pain in the left side under the rib in front occurs when:

• Cardiomyopathies. This is a group of diseases characterized by structural and functional changes in the heart muscle in the absence of arterial hypertension, pathology of the coronary arteries and lesions of the valve apparatus. It may occur for an unknown reason (idiopathic or primary) or develop as a result of various diseases (secondary cardiomyopathy). The disease is accompanied by increased fatigue and increased heart rate. The nature of the pain is aching, stabbing or pressing.
• Coronary heart disease. The disease is caused by a disruption of the blood supply to the heart muscle as a result of damage to the coronary arteries. It manifests itself as aching, pressing or burning pain of varying degrees of intensity. Painful attacks last from 30 seconds to 15 minutes, are provoked by emotional factors or physical stress, go away on their own at rest, and are quickly relieved by taking nitroglycerin. Accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, there may be a feeling of burning and heaviness in the chest, and possible nausea. The pain may radiate to the scapula and left arm.
• Myocardial infarction (a gastrological form that occurs in 2-3% of cases), in which necrotic processes affect the lower or infero-posterior part of the left ventricle of the heart. This life-threatening condition is accompanied by acute pain in the left hypochondrium, rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing. The feeling of heaviness under the heart spreads under the left rib and shoulder blade, into the neck and into the left arm. There may be a burning sensation in the chest area, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, severe hiccups and diarrhea. There is a puffiness of the face, a pale bluish tint to the skin and lips. If these symptoms appear, immediate emergency care is required.

Respiratory diseases

Pain in the left side under the ribs in front occurs when it irradiates from the retrosternal space with:

• Lower lobe left-sided pneumonia. The pain is dull, mild, aching, intensifies when coughing and can become stabbing in nature. Accompanied by a dry cough, a slight increase in temperature, severe weakness, increased sweating, shortness of breath, rapid breathing and symptoms that resemble ARVI (headache, etc.).
• Left-sided pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane that covers the lungs). It can be primary (the inflammatory process develops directly in the pleural cavity) and secondary (the infectious process spreads from the lungs). When fibrin protein falls onto the surface of the pleura, a dry form of this disease develops, and when any biological fluid (serous, purulent or hemorrhagic exudate) accumulates in the pleural cavity, an exudative form of pleurisy develops. With dry pleurisy, there is increased sweating, rapid shallow breathing, increased temperature, pain in the left hypochondrium with persistent coughing, turning the body and bending over. Patients try to lie on their side, trying to reduce the pain that occurs when coughing. The exudative form is accompanied by aching pain, a feeling of heaviness and compression in the chest, pallor of the skin and limbs, and a forced position of the body. The neck veins swell, the affected half of the chest lags behind during respiratory movements, and the intercostal spaces protrude. Relief comes from the intervention of a specialist who pumps out the collected fluid.
• Cancer of the left lung with metastases affecting the pleural cavity and adjacent organs. Accompanied by impaired appetite and digestion, sudden weight loss, decreased immunity and lack of oxygen.

Pathologies of the diaphragm

It hurts under the left rib and with pathologies of the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities (diaphragm). Pain can be caused by:

• Diaphragmatic hernia. This defect (hernial opening) can be congenital, traumatic or neuropathic. Through the hernial opening, the cardiac part of the stomach or its fundus, and sometimes intestinal loops, penetrate into the chest cavity. Small hernias are asymptomatic, but if large hernial sacs form, the patient experiences bloating, heartburn, sour belching, persistent cough, burning sensation in the chest and rapid heartbeat after eating. The pain is dull, aching, constant, and may be accompanied by nausea. If the stomach or intestines are pinched, the left hypochondrium hurts intensely, vomiting, stool retention occurs, and the general condition worsens. If a diaphragmatic hernia is strangulated, urgent medical attention is required, as this condition is life-threatening due to the risk of developing peritonitis.
• Relaxation of the diaphragm. With this pathology, the diaphragm becomes thinner and moves into the chest cavity along with the adjacent peritoneal organs. It can be congenital or acquired (develops as a result of damage to the phrenic nerve), total or limited. On the affected side, the lung is compressed, and volvulus of the stomach or splenic flexure of the colon is possible. With left-sided relaxation of the diaphragm, the symptoms coincide with a diaphragmatic hernia, while the right-sided one is asymptomatic.

Neurological diseases

Lesions of peripheral nerves can cause sharp pain in the acute stage of the disease and aching pain in the chronic course of the disease.

Pain under the left rib in front with intercostal neuralgia, which occurs when the nerves passing between the ribs are damaged or compressed.

Intercostal neuralgia can be:

• radicular (occurs when nerve roots are pinched in the spine);
• reflex (occurs when muscles spasm in the intercostal space);
• one-sided;
• bilateral.

It is not life-threatening, but the pain is intense, stabbing or burning. Pain increases with inhalation, physical activity, coughing or sneezing, and can radiate to the arm, epigastric region, collarbone, lower back or under the shoulder blade.

A distinctive feature of intercostal neuralgia is the presence of pain points that respond to palpation of the intercostal spaces. The disease is accompanied by increased sweating, loss of sensation at the site of nerve damage, muscle twitching, swelling and changes in skin color in the affected area.

Stitches in the left side under the ribs due to irritation of the nerve passing in the area of ​​the last rib (the pain resembles hepatic colic). The cause of intercostal neuralgia can be injury, uncomfortable position of the body or its sharp turn, osteochondrosis, hypothermia, etc.

Pain on the left under the ribs in front can occur during vegetative crises - paroxysmal states of a non-epileptic nature, which are manifested by polymorphic vegetative disorders. These conditions are not associated with heart pathologies, but are symptomatically manifested by increased heart rate, arrhythmia, increased sweating, anxiety and panic, trembling of the limbs, a feeling of pressure in the chest, as well as pain in the stomach and under the left rib. The pain can be dull, sharp, stabbing, aching, or encircling, but usually the patient is not able to determine its exact location. Subjective symptoms in this disease do not correspond to objective studies (severe organic pathology is not detected).

A rare cause of pain in the left hypochondrium is abdominal migraine, in which painful spasms in the area of ​​the left rib and abdomen are accompanied by paleness of the skin, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps of the abdominal wall are possible.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and spine

The cause of pain on the left side under the ribs may be:

• Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. This degenerative-dystrophic disease develops with incorrect posture, deterioration of metabolic processes in tissues and improper distribution of the load on the spinal column. Changes in the intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae cause compression of the nerve fibers, which leads to pain. The pain can be mild and long-lasting or sharp and sharp, causing difficulty breathing and limiting muscle movement. Pain can be felt in the interscapular region, in the left half of the chest, in the area of ​​internal organs and along the intercostal nerves. Osteochondrosis is accompanied by numbness in the affected area and decreased mobility in the thoracic region.
• Fibromyalgia, which is diffuse, predominantly symmetrical musculoskeletal pain of a chronic nature. Can affect any part of the body. The affected area has increased sensitivity, the body feels stiff after waking up, swelling and increased fatigue are observed, temperature surges, convulsions and spasms are possible.
• Tietze syndrome. This rare pathology is characterized by the development of aseptic inflammation of the costal cartilages (left or right, several cartilages may be affected at the same time). It manifests itself as local pain, which intensifies when you press on the affected area and take a deep breath. The pain increases over time, the pain radiates to the forearm and shoulder on the affected side, and in most cases is permanent. There are periods of exacerbation and remission.
• Rib injuries. When one or more ribs are fractured on the left side, there is sharp pain, aggravated by breathing movements, pale skin, difficulty breathing, hemoptysis (in case of rib fractures, internal organs in the sternum area are affected), shortness of breath, weakness, fever and cyanosis of the skin in the affected area. A crack in the rib is accompanied by excruciating pain in the affected area, which intensifies when inhaling and coughing, there is anxiety, shortness of breath, a feeling of suffocation and fatigue, swelling and blue discoloration of the tissues in the area of ​​injury are observed. A rib bruise is accompanied by swelling of the soft tissues in this area and pain, which intensifies with coughing, inhaling and movement.

Pain in the left hypochondrium behind

Pain under the left rib behind occurs when:

• Kidney diseases. The pain is pronounced and has a paroxysmal character.
• Retroperitoneal hematoma, which develops with abdominal injuries. The intensity of pain varies, the pain intensifies with movements of the hip joint.
• Diseases of the spleen. It can be acute when the integrity of this organ is violated and painful when its tissues become inflamed or die.
• Diseases of the respiratory system.
• Heart diseases.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis.

Kidney diseases

If it hurts on the left under the rib and behind, and the pain is paroxysmal in nature, you can suspect renal colic.

With renal colic pain:

• occurs suddenly;
• very intense, acute, paroxysmal;
• does not subside at rest (the patient cannot find a position in which it will be easier for him);
• radiates to the lower back, spreads along the ureter, can radiate to the groin area, to the external genital area and to the inner thigh;
• accompanied in many cases by pain in the urethra and frequent urination;
• lasts from several minutes to several days.

After the attack has stopped, a dull pain remains in the lower back, but the patient is able to return to a normal lifestyle.

Retroperitoneal hematoma

If there is pain on the left side under the ribs in the back, and the patient has recently suffered a serious injury, there may be a retroperitoneal hematoma (a limited collection of blood). This hematoma can form when the organs of the genitourinary system, esophagus, pancreas, or rectum are damaged.

The pain syndrome causes compression of the surrounding tissues by the hematoma (the more blood is shed, the more intensely the tissues are compressed and the more intense the pain is). Signs of acute blood loss may be present (low blood pressure, increased heart rate, pallor, weakness, thirst, dizziness and fainting).

Since this condition threatens the patient’s life, urgent hospitalization and additional examinations are necessary, and, if necessary, emergency surgery.

Spleen diseases

Pain under the left rib from the back can occur with:

• Traumatic damage to the spleen and disruption of the integrity of the tissue of this organ. Sharp pain is felt in the lower part of the peritoneum (on the left) and in the area of ​​the scapula, accompanied by pale skin, decreased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and unquenchable thirst. Cold sticky sweat appears.
• Splenic infarction. A nagging pain radiates to the lumbar region of the back and intensifies with inhalation, sweating increases, blood pressure decreases, pallor, nausea, vomiting, and thirst appear.
• Splenic cyst. When a relatively large cavity is formed in the parenchyma of the spleen, which is delimited by a capsule and filled with fluid, a dull, constant pain occurs in the left hypochondrium in the back area, which radiates to the scapula and left arm (a small cyst is asymptomatic). There is itching of the skin (hives may appear), belching, nausea and vomiting may occur, and the general condition worsens. The cyst can be congenital or form after a heart attack or abscess of the spleen. Also, a cyst occurs when affected by pork tapeworm, echinococcus, as a result of operations on the spleen and when it is traumatically damaged.

Dull pain in the back and left under the ribs occurs when:

• inflammatory processes in the body, since the spleen, as an organ of the immune system, is involved in the fight against various diseases;
• formation of benign and malignant tumors in the spleen (accompanied by decreased activity, loss of appetite and increased temperature).

Respiratory system diseases

Back pain under the left rib can cause:

• Dry left-sided pleurisy. Pain is felt when breathing or coughing and can affect the chest area, neck or radiate to the shoulder. It intensifies when trying to make any movement, is intense, and has a stabbing or cutting character.
• Oncological process in the left lung. Excruciating and persistent pain that does not respond to pain relief occurs when a tumor grows into the pleural tissue (tumors that do not affect the pleura do not cause pain, regardless of their size). The disease is accompanied by shortness of breath, followed by a cough that can last several hours, and an increase in body temperature.
• Pneumothorax is an accumulation of gas in the pleural cavity that occurs when the lung is damaged and causes its tissue to collapse. Pneumothorax leads to a displacement to the healthy side of the mediastinum, compression of its vessels, drooping of the dome of the diaphragm and disorders of blood circulation and respiratory functions. It can occur spontaneously (after strong physical exertion, etc.) or as a result of injury. The pain on the affected side is piercing, radiates to the arm, neck and behind the sternum, intensifies when coughing, inhaling and with any movement. The severity of the resulting shortness of breath depends on the degree of collapse of the lung. There is pallor of the skin, a dry cough is possible, and there may be a fear of death.

Heart diseases

Pain in the left side of the back under the ribs can be:

• Atypical manifestations of myocardial infarction (ischemic necrosis of part of the left ventricular muscle, which is caused by blockage of the coronary artery). Persistent, wave-like sharp pain can last from 15-20 minutes to several hours. The pain radiates to the left arm (a tingling sensation occurs), neck, shoulder girdle, jaw, and is localized in the interscapular space mainly on the left.
• A consequence of dry pericarditis, which is inflammation of the pericardial sac (pericardium). It can be infectious, rheumatic or post-infarction, manifested by a dull pressing pain in the heart area, radiating to the left shoulder blade, shoulders and neck. Pain in most cases is moderate, but severe pain, reminiscent of an angina attack, is also possible. Pain with dry pericarditis gradually increases, lasts from several hours to several days, is not relieved by nitroglycerin, and intensifies with deep breathing, coughing, swallowing, and changing body position. There is shortness of breath, palpitations, weakness, chills, dry cough.

Attack of pancreatitis

Pain in the left side of the back in the hypochondrium can be caused by an acute form of pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas, which does not have a clear clinical picture and can be accompanied by various symptoms.

The severity of pain in the pancreas affects the severity of pain and the location of pain.

Constant, intense pain in the left side of the back occurs when:

• damage to the tail of the pancreas (the lumbar region and chest are affected);
• general damage to the organ, necrosis of its tissues or the development of edema (the pain is severe, has a girdling nature and affects the abdominal cavity and back).

In acute pancreatitis, the following are possible:

• nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief;
• bloating;
• intoxication causing dehydration;
• hemorrhagic spots of a bluish or yellowish tint on the left side wall of the abdomen;
• spots in the navel area.

With exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, back pain is moderate, reminiscent of pain in diseases of the spine.

Spinal diseases

Pain in the left hypochondrium of the back can be caused by osteochondrosis of the thoracic or lumbar region. With this degenerative disease, as a result of compression and irritation of the nerve roots, discomfort occurs in the ribs, both from the back and in the sternum.

Aching pain intensifies with movement, physical activity, staying in one position for a long time, or with hypothermia. Accompanied by muscle weakness and a feeling of numbness in the upper extremities.

Pain in the left hypochondrium on the side

Pain in the left side under the ribs occurs when:

• An increase in the size of the spleen, which occurs with various infectious diseases (infectious mononucleosis, etc.). Unbearable, sharp pain occurs with tuberculosis of the spleen (in this disease, the spleen is so enlarged that it can be felt in the right side of the peritoneum).
• Chronic pancreatitis. Pain in this disease of the pancreas does not have a clear localization; it is cramping and of varying degrees of intensity. They usually occur half an hour after eating, as they are associated with the consumption of provoking foods (spicy, fatty, fried).
• Shingles, which is associated with damage to nerve endings. The pain at the initial stage of the disease is aching in nature, then the pain becomes acute and rashes appear on the skin in the affected area.
• Inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis). It can be acute or chronic, accompanied by aching, dull pain, which becomes intense and paroxysmal when the ureter is blocked by a stone. General weakness, fever, chills, loss of appetite are observed, nausea and vomiting are possible.
• Inflammation of the ureters (urethritis). It occurs in acute and chronic form, can be infectious and non-infectious, gonorrheal and non-gonorrheal. Accompanied by painful urination and discharge from the urethra.
• Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon mucosa, which is manifested by cramping moderate pain in the left side of the abdomen, frequent diarrhea, false urge to defecate, fever, loss of appetite and weight, weakness and pain in the joints (not all symptoms may be present).
• Obstruction of the large intestine, which develops for mechanical or functional reasons. It manifests itself as spastic sharp pain in the abdomen, which is first localized in the left side and then spreads to the entire abdominal area. Accompanied by vomiting, nausea, bloating, constipation and gas retention.
• Inflammations of the genitourinary system, which cause sexually transmitted infections.

Pain on the left side under the ribs can occur with injuries to this area, as well as with inflammation of the ovary in women.

Pain in the left hypochondrium in women

Pain in the left hypochondrium on the side, closer to the lower abdomen, in women can be caused by:

• Adnexitis (salpingoophoritis) is an inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, which is caused by various types of bacteria that enter these organs through the bloodstream or sexually. The disease is characterized by sharp, spasmodic or dull and aching pain in the lower abdomen, which spreads to the lumbar region. There is an increase in temperature, chills, disruption of the menstrual cycle, heavy discharge, pain when urinating and during sexual intercourse.
• Torsion and rupture of the left ovarian cyst. With torsion, severe pain is localized in the lower abdomen, is aching or drawing in nature, is accompanied by an increase in temperature, a drop in blood pressure, a disturbance in the general condition of the body, and vomiting is possible. When a cyst ruptures, the pain becomes intense, radiates throughout the abdomen and rectum, nausea and vomiting occur. These conditions require emergency medical attention.
• Ectopic pregnancy, which can manifest itself as a rupture of the fallopian tube in the period from 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy (the early stage of ectopic pregnancy does not differ from normal pregnancy in terms of clinical signs). At 5-8 weeks, aching, cutting or cramping pain may appear on the affected side, which becomes almost unbearable if the fallopian tube ruptures. When blood enters the abdominal cavity, pain spreads to the epigastric region, shoulders and anus, urination and bowel movements are painful. With large blood loss, pallor appears, decreased blood pressure, weak rapid pulse and loss of consciousness. This condition requires urgent hospitalization.
• Allen-Masters syndrome is a disease that causes rupture of the uterine ligaments (can occur after a complicated birth or after an abortion). It manifests itself as periodic stabbing or cramping pain in the left side, which sometimes radiates to the anus, accompanied by increased fatigue, painful periods and an increase in the size of the uterus.
• Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the proliferation of cells in the inner layer of the uterine wall (endometrium) outside the endometrial layer. It manifests itself as menstrual irregularities, stabbing pain in the affected area, pain during sexual intercourse, heavy discharge during menstruation, and infertility.

Pain in the left hypochondrium in a child

Pain in a child under the left rib can be caused by:

• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). The acute form in children is accompanied by severe pain in the epigastric region, belching, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, salivation and dry mouth. In the chronic course of the disease, the pain is moderate, loss of appetite, intoxication and indigestion are observed.
• Appendicitis (in most people the appendix is ​​located on the right, but sometimes the pain radiates to the left side of the abdomen, an abnormal location of the organ is also possible).
• Coprostasis (accumulation of feces in the intestines), which occurs with constipation of various etiologies (organic, functional, nutritional, endocrine, conditioned reflex and medicinal). There is abdominal pain (the child cannot accurately indicate its location), bloating, pain during bowel movements, and a feeling of incomplete bowel movement. May cause intestinal obstruction.
• Volvulus is a violation of intestinal patency due to constipation, trauma, strangulation, adhesions, hiatal hernia, which is often found in young children. With this pathology, periods of rest in the child alternate with attacks of sudden pain. During an attack, the baby cries and presses his legs to his stomach. The body temperature rises, vomiting appears, and mucus or blood may appear in the stool. This condition requires urgent medical attention.
• Inguinal hernia strangulation. An inguinal hernia is a pathological but painless protrusion of the hernial sac in the groin that enlarges with walking or crying and disappears with rest. The strangulation is accompanied by sharp pain, the hernia cannot be reduced into the abdominal cavity, and the area of ​​the protrusion is tense. With further development of the pathology, intestinal obstruction develops, which is accompanied by bloating, failure to pass gases and vomiting. The child requires urgent medical attention.

Which doctor should you contact for pain in the left hypochondrium?

Since not only the spleen, but also other organs are located on the left under the ribs, and the pain can be radiating, it is very difficult to independently determine the cause of the pain.

If pain appears in the left hypochondrium region, you need to contact, who will listen to the patient’s complaints and conduct an initial examination, and then tell you which specialist you need to contact in a particular case.

The therapist may refer the patient to:

• if you suspect diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer, colitis);
• if you suspect heart disease (cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction);
• suddenly appeared sharp, acute pain in the left hypochondrium;
• aching constant pain that does not subside within an hour;
• stabbing pain that occurs when moving and does not subside within 30 minutes;
• dull pain accompanied by vomiting of blood or undigested food particles;
• any pain that is accompanied by pallor, rapid heartbeat, decreased blood pressure, dizziness and difficulty breathing.