My left side hurts. It hurts in my left side. Mechanism of formation of abdominal pain

Severe colic running through the left side is a symptom of many diseases. This part of the body contains vital organs and systems. For example, the spleen and pancreas. In addition, sharp pain in the left side can be a symptom of pathology of the walls of the stomach, diaphragm, or heart. Spasms may be accompanied by diseases of the ureter and kidney. The pathology of any of these organs is characterized by pain. In order to determine which one signals a problem, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

Stitching (sharp) pain in the left side

Patients often complain of discomfort in the left side area, which they feel immediately after eating. This symptom indicates disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Stitching pain in the left side in such cases is often accompanied by additional manifestations. The most common of them are flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. All these symptoms indicate the development of gastrointestinal pathologies. It is necessary to call emergency medical help if stabbing pain in the left side is accompanied by:

• stool mixed with blood;
• drop in blood pressure;
• loss of consciousness.

The intensity of the discomfort can vary: from barely noticeable to almost unbearable. Very often, the cause of sharp pain in the left side is injury or bruise. If such incidents did not occur, and the discomfort is disturbing, then most likely this indicates pathological processes in the internal organs located on the left side. Here are the most common ones:

In girls and women, acute pain in the left side may indicate an inflammatory process in the fallopian tube or ovary. Menstruation can, in normal conditions, be accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen. But if the spasms become acute, then this signals a gynecological illness. Also, acute pain in the left side is one of the signs of a normal or ectopic pregnancy. In the first case, this manifestation is due to hormonal changes occurring in the body and an increase in the size of the uterus. In the second - damage to the fallopian tube.

Diagnosis of pain in the left side

If you have additional acute symptoms and the pain becomes unbearable, then call a doctor at home. If there are no acute additional symptoms, you should see a surgeon at the clinic’s emergency department as soon as possible. After all, only in the clinic will you be able to undergo examinations that will reveal the true cause of the discomfort. Diagnosis of pain in the left side includes the following methods:

The cost of examinations varies from 600 rubles (for laboratory tests) to 9000 (for MRI with contrast). An initial examination plays an important role in studying the causes of pain in the left side. During it, the doctor asks questions about what contributed to its appearance and performs palpation. Only after the results obtained can we talk about prescribing a course of therapy. Treatment depends entirely on the cause of the symptom. You should not self-medicate, and it is also not recommended to relieve pain with analgesics, because it is just a sign that not everything is fine in the body.

Before visiting the clinic, you can undergo self-diagnosis online on our website. This simple and convenient test will reduce the list of possible ailments that caused acute pain in the left side. It consists of questions, by answering which you can give a preliminary assessment of your condition.

Which doctor can help?

If you experience sharp, stabbing pain in your left side, you should consult a doctor of the following specialty:

which will make the correct diagnosis. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary diagnostics in your case. Some diseases are difficult to diagnose, as they say “by eye”. Therefore, you need to trust your doctor when prescribing tests. After all the tests, the doctor will be able to formulate the correct course of treatment. Remember: accurate diagnosis and correct diagnosis are already 50% of success in treatment!

Abdominal pain on the left side, like any other pain in the abdominal cavity, can be the result of many disorders in the body.

Pain in the left side of the abdomen often occurs after overeating or eating unhealthy foods. Stress and overwork can also cause pain in the intestines. In this article we will look at diseases that lead to left-sided pain in the iliac region, in the hypochondrium of the abdomen and in the lower abdomen on the left.

1 - left lobe of the liver

2 - pancreas

3 - stomach

4 - spleen

5 - large intestine

6 - small intestine

7 - ovary

8 - uterus

9 - upper hypochondrium

Pain in the left hypochondrium

If pain is felt in the left upper abdomen, then it can be caused by a diseased stomach, pancreas or spleen. Inflammation of these organs is usually caused by pathogenic bacteria, as well as an unhealthy lifestyle and stress.

In addition, stabbing pain can occur during physical activity, and there is no underlying disease. The reason is improper load distribution.

Abdominal pain on the left due to inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis)

If aching pain in the left abdomen most often occurs after eating, then this is a sign of inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis). This pain occurs when the stomach is full of food. Then, as food passes further into the intestines, the pain subsides. Stress can also contribute to abdominal pain due to gastritis.

If the pain in the left hypochondrium is acute, occurs after eating and is accompanied by sour belching, vomiting, heartburn, and a feeling of pressure, then this may indicate a stomach ulcer.

One of the causes of inflammation of the gastric mucosa may be a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. It can be detected during a medical examination.

Dull constant pain in the left hypochondrium

You should pay attention to such pain and undergo an examination, as it may be the result of an indolent disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Aching pain in the left hypochondrium can also cause a number of autoimmune diseases.

Pain in the left hypochondrium due to inflammation of the pancreas

If there is pain under the rib on the left, then the cause may be the pancreas. Its inflammation causes unbearable burning pain in the left hypochondrium, which radiates to the back. Sometimes inflammation causes girdle pain in the upper abdomen. The pain may subside slightly when you bend your torso forward in a sitting position.

The pain is accompanied by symptoms such as bitterness in the mouth, vomiting bile, darkening of the urine and lightening of the stool. Common causes of pancreatic inflammation include gallstones, cigarettes and alcohol.

Pain in the left side under the ribs in front

One of the causes of such pain may be intercostal neuralgia. This creates the impression of pain under the ribs. The pain can be of a different nature, dull, tingling, or move to different areas.

Upper left abdominal pain due to spleen disease

Enlargement and infarction of the spleen due to arterial thrombosis cause severe pain, which can radiate to the left shoulder. But as a rule, these diseases exhibit additional symptoms: fever, muscle pain, headache, swollen lymph nodes.

Heartburn in the stomach on the left side

If the stomach hurts on the left and this pain is accompanied by belching and burning pain spreading throughout the esophagus, then in medicine this disease is called reflux. Heartburn can be caused by increased stomach acidity, stress, snacking on the go and too fatty foods.

This symptom also occurs with weak diaphragm muscles.

Abdominal pain under the ribs

If you are suffering from pain in the upper abdomen, just below the ribs, it is most likely not caused by the abdominal organs. The lower sections of the lungs and the heart are located in this upper part of the abdominal cavity. Therefore, it is quite possible that pain under the left rib may be caused by pneumonia or even a heart attack.

However, with such diseases, abdominal pain is not the main symptom and other signs of disease necessarily appear.
With a heart attack, these are symptoms such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath and cold sweat. The pain can travel up to the shoulder on the left side quite quickly. With pneumonia - pain when breathing.

What can hurt in the lower left abdomen?

If you feel pain in the left lower abdomen, this may indicate diseases of the colon, ureters or kidneys. Pain in the lower abdomen in women can be caused by problems with the uterus and ovaries. In men, such pain is caused by the prostate gland or testicles.

Pain due to colon diverticulum

One of the most common diseases of the colon is. Diverticula often go undetected during diagnosis. Their inflammation can cause stabbing pain in the abdomen.

The cause of pain is the ureters

Stones in the ureters or bladder cause sharp, paroxysmal, debilitating pain. They can sometimes give back.

Pain in the lower abdomen in women

In women, it is always necessary to take into account that the internal genital organs - fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus are located in the abdominal cavity. Inflammation of these organs or cancer leads to constant sharp pain in the lower abdomen.

The gynecological nature of the pain can be indicated by disruptions in the menstrual cycle and pathological discharge from the vagina.

If you have persistent pain in the lower abdomen, you should consult a gynecologist.

Pain in the lower abdomen in men

In men, these pains may indicate inflammation or prostate or testicular cancer.

Stomach pain in the middle left

The causes of such pain can also be food intolerance.

Pain from appendicitis

Appendicitis can also manifest itself as acute pain in the lower left abdomen. Although anatomically it is located in the lower right part of the abdomen, at the initial stage of inflammation, pain appears in the middle of the abdomen, near the navel. Then it moves to the lower abdomen and can be felt in both the left and right parts of the abdominal cavity.

Sometimes vomiting and nausea appear, and the disease can be confused with.

If the condition worsens, accompanied by fever, then it is necessary to call an ambulance.

Abdominal pain on the left or in the middle after eating

Abdominal pain after eating in the middle abdomen may indicate food intolerance. Most often, pain occurs some time after eating.

Food intolerance manifests itself through a feeling of fullness or stabbing pain after eating. Diarrhea or flatulence often appears.

Typical types of intolerance include fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance or. Gluten is a protein often found in baked goods or pasta.

Abdominal pain due to intestinal infections

In the early stages of the disease, pain may appear in the left side of the abdomen, since the narrower left side of the colon more quickly signals problems with pain. As the disease progresses, the pain spreads to the lower right side and then covers the entire abdominal cavity.

With an intestinal infection, fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhea can be dangerous. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of fluids.

Table of symptoms and causes of abdominal pain on the left

Attention! Our website provides you with primary information on the topic of left abdominal pain. However, this information cannot replace consultation with a doctor. Any abdominal pain requires medical examination.

The causes of nausea and pain in the left side can be various diseases. You should be wary when spasms appear suddenly and last for more than half an hour. You should not self-medicate or ignore the problem; it is important to seek medical help in a timely manner and thereby avoid complications.

Main reasons

Depending on which organ provoked the symptoms, the pain may be short-lived, spasmodic, tingling or aching. In addition to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the cause may be disruptions in the endocrine system, hernia, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, nervous system and connective tissues.

Judging by the nature and intensity of the pain, the cause of the symptom is determined. Only a doctor can do this correctly, and he will prescribe appropriate therapy.

Diseases that cause symptoms

Most often, nausea with pain in the left side are diseases.

1. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas due to poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption. In addition to nausea and pain, vomiting and flatulence occur.
2. Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, accompanied by heartburn, nausea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and lack of appetite. With erosive formation, bleeding is possible.
3. Acute appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix of the cecum. The pain can be felt in the navel area and be bursting and growing in nature, with basic physical activity. Temporary relief occurs after bowel movement or release of gases. Then the symptoms increase.
4. Hiatal hernia. In addition to nausea and girdle pain in the side, heartburn and hiccups are noted.
5. Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys that begins with an increase in temperature, painful spasms appear not only in the left side, but also in the lumbar region, discomfort when urinating.
6. Flatulence – abundant formation of gases, characterized by heaviness in the abdomen and bloating.
7. Urolithiasis is the formation of stones in the urinary system. Often characterized by severe pain and nausea.
8. Ectopic pregnancy or ruptured fallopian tube. May be accompanied by pale skin, tachycardia, and painful shock.
9. Abdominal migraine. In this case, the abdominal organs move towards the chest. Nausea is complemented by vomiting, diarrhea, and pale skin of the hands and feet.

It should be noted that some symptoms are similar and may indicate several diseases; only a specialist can determine the true cause after examination and diagnosis.

Types of pain

The nature of the pain plays an important role in determining the cause; it can often be used to identify the type of disease.

• Aching and dull. Often such symptoms appear in women and can be a sign of gynecological diseases, menstrual cycles, in addition, hemorrhoids, an increase in the size of the bladder, and inflammation of the lymph nodes are manifested.
• Pulling. It is caused by abnormalities of the pelvic organs, inflammation of the scrotum, penis in men, and strangulated hernia. Severe pathologies are accompanied by gag reflexes, fever, and diarrhea.
• Sharp. It manifests itself as spasms in the pelvic organs due to excessive gas formation. It may also indicate ligament rupture or inflammation, expansion of the renal pelvis, rupture of the ovaries, and the passage of stones through the urinary tract.
• Stabbing. Often an indicator of diseases of the intestines, kidneys or rupture of an ovarian cyst. The pulsating appearance is characteristic of disorders of the mucous membrane of the urethra and ureters. If the sensation is shooting, this indicates expansion of the intestines due to flatulence. The pain subsides after defecation.

Diagnostics

A diagnosis that includes:

• blood analysis;
• liver enzyme analysis;
• study of pancreatic enzymes;
• urine analysis;
• X-ray of the abdomen;
• endoscopy;

Based on the indications, the doctor determines the causes of nausea and pain in the left side and prescribes a course of treatment.

What symptoms should you consult a doctor for?

Intense and piercing pain requires medical attention. Such manifestations may confirm rupture of the spleen, perforation of the stomach walls, or inflammation of appendicitis.

Considering the fact that nausea and pain in the right side can be caused by many diseases, first of all, you should contact a therapist who, if necessary, will redirect you to the right specialist:

Gastroenterologist

It’s worth going when you feel a cramping pain radiating to the navel. The pain is muted, aching, appears 1-2 hours after eating, accompanied by heartburn, nausea, diarrhea or constipation. Symptoms may indicate gastritis, duodenitis, or ulcers.

Oncologist

Recommended for persistent pain, regardless of food. Additional symptoms may include nausea, weakness, aversion to meat foods, heartburn, and a feeling of a full stomach. These manifestations indicate a tumor in the stomach. A consultation with an oncologist may also be required if there is left-sided tingling in the lower abdomen, accompanied by constipation and copious gases. This indicates neoplasms in the intestines.

It will be required for painful manifestations in the left hypochondrium, which shoot into the shoulder blade or arm. It is especially important to call an ambulance if, over time, the sensations do not stop, but are supplemented by shortness of breath and a burning sensation in the chest area. This is an indicator of angina pectoris, heart attack. Consultation is needed if pain with nausea occurs after physical activity, is combined with severe fatigue, a constant rapid pulse, but has nothing to do with the symptoms of intestinal disease. These manifestations may indicate the development of cardiomyopathy.

Infectious disease specialist

The therapist makes a referral if the patient's pain does not subside directly at the surface of the skin. Weakness, aching muscles and joints, fever, and inflammation of the lymph nodes are also experienced. These are manifestations of an enlarged spleen and liver.

Treatment of the causes of nausea and pain in the left side should begin after identifying the disease that provoked these symptoms. Self-medication is prohibited.

Surgeon

When the nausea and pain are accompanied by bluish skin in the area near the navel or in the part of the abdomen where the attack is concentrated. An attack can hit the back - evidence of a ruptured spleen. Also, if there is a feeling of persistent pain, which increases with deep breathing and exercise, but subsides after vomiting and belching. These phenomena are characteristic of a diaphragmatic or inguinal hernia.

Pulmonologist

If the patient has aching syndrome with a nauseating state, tingling when coughing, radiating to the left side of the sternum, combined with heaviness in the chest. This is an indicator of pleurisy or pneumonia.

Neurologist or neuropathologist

With attacks of scorching pain, which is complemented by muscle twitching, pallor, redness of the skin in the places where its source is located. When breathing, sneezing, or sudden movements, it increases and extends under the shoulder blade. These symptoms indicate neuralgia.

Gynecologist

It may be necessary for women who experience pain during sexual intercourse, experience pulling, aching sensations, and possible bleeding that increases with exertion. They are fraught with the development of adnexitis and salpingitis.

Nephrologist

He will conduct a consultation if the nagging pain is cramping in nature, causes discomfort when going to the toilet, there is blood in the urine, the face swells, the temperature rises, or a migraine is bothering you. These are indicators of kidney disease.

A timely visit to a medical institution is a real opportunity to start therapy as early as possible. Diagnosing the disease in the early stages will help quickly get rid of the disease. Advanced cases are quite difficult to treat, and sometimes are not cured at all. Monitoring your health and responding to body signs are the main principles of a healthy life.

In the lower abdomen, women experience so-called pelvic pain, usually caused by chronic or acute diseases of various internal organs, bones, blood vessels, and joints of the pelvic girdle. If the left side of the lower abdomen hurts in women, this may be due to both gynecological problems and diseases of other organs located on the left side of the peritoneum.

What hurts in the left side

Painful sensations may appear in the left side with diseases of various organs that are located in this area.

What can hurt:

• Spleen. An enlarged spleen can cause pain in the left abdominal region, just below the ribs. With a chronic course of the disease, the pain will be weak and nagging. When the spleen ruptures, the pain will be sharp and sharp.
• Small and large intestine. When painful sensations arise, they can radiate to the left side of the lower abdomen and move smoothly.
• Urinary system. Colic on the left side of the abdomen occurs with chronic urolithiasis.
• Kidneys. Inflammation of the kidneys in a woman is accompanied not only by pain in the lumbar region, but also by painful sensations in the lower abdomen.
• Gastrointestinal organs. Pain appearing on the left side of the abdomen is often a symptom of diseases of the digestive tract. Temporarily, such pain can also appear due to overeating, eating excessively spicy and fatty foods, and abusing alcoholic beverages.

Note! In the abdominal region, most organs with the development of pathologies can cause pain of various types in the left abdominal region. Only inflamed appendicitis does not radiate to the left; this pathology is characterized only by right-sided pain.

Pain in women occurs on the left side with the following pathologies:

• Gynecological diseases – 60-70%;
• Gastroenterology – 50-60%;
• Urological diseases – 65-90%;
• Orthopedic pathologies – 7-15%.

Important! In 70% of patients complaining of pain arising in the lower abdomen, gynecological diseases and pathologies of the reproductive system are diagnosed.

Disturbances in the functioning of any of the organs located in the peritoneum can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, if you regularly experience pain in the lower abdomen on the left or right, it is advisable to consult a doctor to find out the cause and prescribe timely treatment.

Causes of pain and illness

Women have abdominal pain on the left side most often due to the development of pathologies of the organs of the reproductive system, so the weaker sex should be especially careful when such a symptom manifests itself.

Why does the stomach hurt in women on the lower left and right, the main causes of pain:

• Inflammation of the fallopian tubes. The disease causes the following symptoms: sharp pain in the groin area on the left and right in the lower abdomen, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the vagina, painful periods, fever.
• . Epithelial cells grow outside the uterus, causing pain. in this case it is violated.
• Ovarian cyst. Causes severe pain, and the temperature increases.
• Ovarian rupture. There is a sharp, unbearable pain below. The woman feels attacks, becomes very weak, and the skin turns pale.
• Ectopic pregnancy. This pathology occurs at 6-10 weeks of pregnancy. The pain is aching, cramping in nature, and can spread to the anus. Additional symptoms: pain when urinating, clouding of consciousness, uterine bleeding, decreased blood pressure, pale skin.
• Menstruation. During menstruation, a woman quite often has pain in the lower abdomen - this is a very common phenomenon that goes away on its own after a couple of days. You should only sound the alarm if painful periods are accompanied by unusual or strong-smelling vaginal discharge. Such signs may indicate the presence of infection in the genitals or the presence of inflammation in the reproductive organs.

Important! With sharp pain flowing from left to right in the lower abdomen, an ectopic pregnancy is usually diagnosed. This is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

For pain that occurs in the lower abdomen, it is advisable for a woman to visit a gynecological office, but if the doctor does not confirm the presence of pathology, then it is worth doing an examination of the spleen and intestines, pathologies of which can also cause similar symptoms.

Other diseases that can cause abdominal pain in women:

• Spleen dysfunction. Pathologies of the spleen usually begin with the appearance of dull pain in the hypochondrium, which gradually spreads to the lower abdomen. At the same time, the temperature rises, breathing becomes difficult and painful. When the spleen is inverted, the pain becomes sharp and stabbing.
• Diseases of the large and small intestines:, intestinal obstruction, oncological pathologies, nonspecific ulcerative, intestinal volvulus.
• Kidneys. With inflammation of the urinary system, the lower abdomen often hurts, sometimes the pain radiates to the lower back.

If a woman’s right side hurts, this indicates the same diseases as with left-sided pain.

Types of pain in the lower abdomen and associated symptoms

By how the pain manifests itself and what symptoms accompany it, you can approximately determine the cause that caused the pain.

Aching dull pain in the left abdomen. Women with gynecological problems often complain of such sensations. Painful sensations usually occur during sex, menstrual irregularities, and the development of inflammation in the genitals. With pathologies of the reproductive organs, fever, increased fatigue, and weakness usually occur. Dull pain can also accompany pathologies such as varicose veins, acute inflammation of the bladder, and left-sided inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Pulling pain in the lower abdomen of an adult woman. They can occur with purulent inflammation of the pelvis; the pain is low in intensity and long-lasting. In oncology, nagging pain usually increases over time and is accompanied by vomiting, fever,...

Sharp pain in the lower abdomen. They can occur with inflammation or rupture of ligaments, acute expansion of the bladder, or rupture of the ovaries.

Stitching pains. With diseases of the intestines and kidneys, colic occurs in the lower abdomen. Stitching and shooting pain is a dangerous symptom that may indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left and right in women is not the main symptom, but accompanies serious pathologies in the internal organs. Painful sensations during diseases are accompanied by other symptoms that help determine the main cause of a woman’s pain:

• Temperature. An increase in temperature indicators accompanies infectious pathologies and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, genitourinary system and intestines.
• Vomiting and nausea. Accompanying gastrointestinal pathologies, characteristic of and.
• Cloudy urine and pain when urinating. They occur along with pain due to diseases of the genitourinary system.
• Vaginal discharge of unknown nature. Indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted infection.

Pain on the left side during menstruation or during ovulation in the lower abdomen is not the cause of pathology and goes away on its own within a few days.

What to do for pain in the side

The appearance of pain in the lower left abdomen in a woman can serve as a signal about the development of serious pathologies in the body. Therefore, you should not limit yourself to taking a painkiller - this will only temporarily relieve pain, but will not eliminate the cause of its occurrence, and in some cases it will even cause harm.

How to act if pain occurs in the lower abdomen - first aid:

• Find the most comfortable position possible to relieve pain.
• Before the doctor arrives, remember all the symptoms associated with pain.
• An ambulance should be called if a sharp, intense pain occurs that does not go away for more than an hour and if the pain is accompanied by incessant vomiting, a sharp rise in temperature, etc.
• If after 2-3 days the pain in the side does not disappear, it is advisable for the woman to visit. In the absence of pathology of the reproductive organs, a visit to an infectious disease specialist or surgeon is possible.
• Avoid taking painkillers - this may make it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis.

Even if the pain in the side is not severe, but appears regularly, this is a reason to visit a doctor in order to prevent the development of serious pathologies in time.

In the video, in the program Live Healthy, they understand the question of why the left side in the lower abdomen of an adult woman hurts.

A nagging pain in the left side may be a signal of the development of pathologies of internal organs. The causes of an unpleasant syndrome of this nature are dozens of diseases. Let's look at the most common of them.

Pathologies of the pancreas

One of the reasons for the appearance of nagging pain in the left side may be pathologies associated with the pancreas. The most common organ diseases are:

• acute pancreatitis;
• lipomatosis;
• cystic fibrosis;
• fibrosis.

The main symptom of these pathologies is severe pain and pulling in the left side. In addition, the patient may experience dyspeptic syndrome, which is manifested by increased bloating, colic, bowel dysfunction, and nausea. To this, in the absence of therapy, are added phenomena such as rapid heartbeat, general weakness, drowsiness, weight loss due to dehydration.

Spleen diseases

The reasons why the left side is pulled may also include the following diseases of the spleen:

• heart attack;
• volvulus;
• abscess;
• cyst;
• lympho- or myeloid leukemia.

With a splenic infarction, the patient experiences sharp and nagging pain in the left side and hypochondrium. As the disease develops, the pain may radiate to the lower abdomen and intensify with sudden movements or sighs. Against the background of these symptoms, an increase in temperature to 39 degrees is also observed. With such a serious pathology, surgical intervention is indicated.

Splenic volvulus is a twisting of the splenic veins, arteries, or even nerve bundles. The cause of the pathology is the physiological features of the structure of internal organs or injury to the organ. With this phenomenon, a sharp pain occurs from the left area, radiating to the groin. Vomiting, constipation, flatulence, and a sharp deterioration in health may also occur. With partial volvulus, the occurrence of pain is episodic, in particular during physical activity.

An organ abscess is caused by inflammatory and purulent processes in the spleen. Against the background of this pathology, peritonitis often occurs. Symptoms of the disease are: severe pain radiating to the left side and lower abdomen, increased body temperature up to 39 degrees.

A cyst on the spleen is the result of an abscess. Small cysts do not cause any discomfort, but a large capsule formed by connective tissue can cause pain in the left area when lifting heavy objects.

Oncological pathologies of the spleen are included in the list of reasons why there is periodic pulling in the left side. The first signs of the development of oncology of the hematopoietic organ are general weakness, increased sweating, and poor appetite. As the pathology progresses, pain appears in the left side, an increase in temperature, and an increase in the size of the spleen, which is detected by palpation of the organ.

Pathologies of the intestines and digestive organs

Often, nagging pain in the side on the left side can indicate intestinal pathologies.

Pain syndrome localized on the left side in the lower abdomen may indicate the presence of the following disorders in the functioning of the digestive organ:

• nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
• Crohn's disease;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• diverticulosis;
• colon polyposis;
• atony of the colon;
• appendicitis.

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the large intestine. The etiology of the pathology has not been clearly identified at this time. The main symptom of colitis is pain in the side on the left side, which radiates to the lower abdomen.

Crohn's disease is also an inflammatory process that simultaneously occurs in the stomach and intestines. The occurrence of direct pain in the left side provokes inflammation of the colon. In addition, the patient experiences general malaise, poor appetite, abnormal bowel movements, etc. All symptoms of the disease are quite specific and similar to other pathologies. They most closely resemble the manifestation of acute appendicitis.

The appearance of irritable bowel syndrome is most often associated with frequent stress. Middle-aged females are more susceptible to it. The period of exacerbation is observed before menstruation and other hormonal surges. The pain is most often localized on the left side, and increased gas formation and diarrhea are also observed. The syndrome can also occur after an emotional outburst or after eating food that irritates the intestinal mucosa.

Colon diverticulosis is the process of formation of pathological pouches on the walls of organs - the so-called diverticula. Such neoplasms disrupt intestinal motility and lead to the accumulation of waste products in the intestines. This in turn provokes fermentation and abundant accumulation of gases in the intestinal tract. The pain is localized in the left side, and flatulence, constipation and dark-colored stool are also observed.

Colon polyposis is a benign neoplasm. Against the background of the pathology, pain is observed on the left side, as well as loose stools, followed by constipation.

Atony of the colon is characteristic of older people. It can occur from prolonged and immobile lying during illness. The patient has dyspeptic syndrome, as well as nagging pain in the left side.

The first signs of the development of appendicitis are the appearance of a dull, nagging pain in the left side, which subsequently intensifies. The condition is also accompanied by nausea, dyspeptic syndrome and increased body temperature. In this case, immediate hospitalization is required.

Diseases of the urinary organs

The occurrence of nagging pain in the left side in the lower abdomen or lower back may indicate the development of the following pathologies:

• pyelonephritis;
• nephritis;
• hydroureteronephrosis.

Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process that develops in the kidneys. Pathology can affect either a completely paired organ or only part of it. Most often, the disease initially affects only one kidney. Nagging pain on the left side in the lumbar and abdominal area is one of the signs of pyelonephritis. But the main symptoms of the development of pathology are fever, temperature rise to 39, muscle aches.
Nephritis also refers to inflammatory processes that occur in the kidneys. Against this background, symptoms develop such as general weakness, the appearance of edema, and pain in the lower back on the side from which the pathology affected the organ.

Hydroureteronephrosis develops with urolithiasis or diverticulosis of the ureter. The pathology is characterized by sharp or dull pain localized in the lower back and lower abdomen.

Pathologies of the heart and lungs

Pain localized in the left hypochondrium may be a symptom of the development of heart or lung diseases.

Among the heart diseases that cause nagging pain on the left side in the hypochondrium are cardiac ischemia and cardiomyopathy.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is disrupted. Also, its characteristic symptoms are a burning sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, rapid pulse and a feeling of nausea.

Cardiomyopathy develops against the background of heart disease. A nagging pain in the left side and hypochondrium with this pathological process appears after physical exertion.

Pain of this nature often occurs during the development of pathologies of the respiratory system, such as pneumonia or pleurisy. They usually have a pulling character and only get worse when coughing or taking a deep breath.

Intercostal neuralgia

One of the reasons for the development of nagging pain on the left side is intercostal neuralgia. The pathology is inflammation and irritation of the intercostal nerves. Another characteristic symptom of the pathology is partial or complete loss of sensitivity of the skin in the affected area.

Differential diagnosis

Studies of the abdominal region, which include the following manipulations, will help determine the etiology of nagging pain in the left side:

• CT scan;
• ultrasonography;
• blood and urine tests.

To clarify the diagnosis, you may need to consult specialists such as a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, therapist, neurologist and nephrologist. In any case, if you experience constant nagging pain, which is accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately contact a medical facility.