The left side hurts from the back in the lower back: causes and methods of treatment

There is hardly a single adult who has not experienced such a dubious "pleasure" as back pain. Localization of such pains has varying degrees, often discomfort appears in the left side, closer to the lower back. More often than not, people who have a back pain on the left attribute this pain to a muscle strain or pinching, and begin to swallow the pain reliever or rub with ointment. Sometimes this method helps, but you need to be aware that if the left side hurts from the back in the lower back, there may be a lot of reasons for this.

In this text, we will consider possible causes for pain in the left side, back and lower back on the left side, we will talk about the alarming symptoms that should alert everyone.

The cause of pain in the left back

To get rid of low back pain, you need to identify the reason for it. Pain is a nonspecific symptom, it can manifest itself during almost any ailment. Let us note the pathologies and diseases in which pain in the left side and in the left side of the lower back occurs most often:

1. Back injuries, muscle strains, ligament tears
2. Injuries and diseases of the spine: hernia, sciatica, osteochondrosis and the like.
3. Pathologies of the digestive tract: pancreas and stomach, intestines, gallbladder.
4. Hernia of the diaphragm, in which the pleura is involved.
5. In women, with inflammation of the appendages (may occur in pregnant women).
6. Heart attack.
7. Angina pectoris (atypical course).
8. Tumors of various etiologies.

Let us understand in more detail how these diseases affect the pain syndrome in the lower back and in connection with what processes the pain occurs.

Why does the back on the left hurt?

Due to the variety of reasons that can cause pain in the left side of the back, it is not recommended to take painkillers, o consult a doctor with severe pain syndrome that does not pass within days. However, you can try to figure out why the discomfort has appeared on your own.

So, pain in the left side, passing into the left side of the lower back, which appeared after lifting weights, intense sports (exercises with a barbell, skiing) or active dancing, can talk about pinching, stretching, micro-ripping, or even muscle tears. The damaged muscle spasms, loses the ability to move normally and immediately reacts with acute pain. The pain syndrome in this case is very active, "shooting", when moving or even trying to roll over in a supine position, the pain immediately intensifies.

With serious injuries or diseases of the spine, pain can also be localized to the left. With a curvature of the spine, such pains haunt even children, for people of a terrible age a symptom typical for radiculitis, osteochondrosis, specific lesions (complications from oncology, tuberculosis). Also, the "direct" causes of pain on the left can be called the weakening of the musculoskeletal system in mind large weight of a person, low (or, on the contrary, excessive) physical activity, metabolic disorders processes.

Another reason for pain is diseases of the internal organs. Often the pain passes into the lower back from the left kidney, left lung, can be given during heart attacks - then the pain "descends" to the lower back along the left shoulder blade. In women, pain in the left side of the back and on the side is typical in late pregnancy, as well as with inflammation of the ovaries or fallopian tubes. In the case of diseases, injuries or displacements (as in pregnant women) of the internal organs, it is difficult to describe the nature of the pain.

Cider can appear unexpectedly, or it can give off a nagging dull pain. With renal colic, as a rule, the pain is very sharp and sharp, and with problems in the pancreas - aching and long-term.

What to do if pain occurs?

If the cause of the pain is unknown, there is no clear algorithm or standard recommendations for getting rid of pain. First of all, you need to carefully listen to your body and pay attention to the accompanying symptoms.

If back pain appears as a single symptom, it is permissible to take an antispasmodic and take a comfortable position, waiting for the discomfort to subside. If pain occurs when moving, bending or twisting the body, and is caused by microtrauma, bruising or excessive load (as they say in the people - "blew out" or "tore your back"), you can use pain relieving ointments. On any pharmacy counter there are more than ten such funds, we will briefly consider the most popular ones.

Table 1. Ointments, gels and creams for back and lower back pain

Name	Photo	Specifications	approximate cost
Dolobene, gel		A combined preparation that relieves pain and inflammation, improves skin regeneration, has an antithrombotic, antiexudative effect. Used two to four times a day.	200-250 rubles
Traumeel, ointment		Homeopathic medicine, has anti-inflammatory effect, anesthetizes, raises local immunity, restores damaged tissues. Effective for mild pain syndrome.	250-280 rubles
"Capsicam", ointment		The drug is a distracting, warming action. has a local irritating effect, significantly warms, relieves pain, relieves swelling and inflammation. Used two to three times a day.	150-170 rubles
"Apizartron" cream		The combined preparation based on bee venom has a local irritating effect, dilates blood vessels, supplies tissues with oxygen, reduces muscle tone, and has a beneficial effect on tissue elasticity. The cream is applied to the skin, then the sore spot is insulated with a belt or scarf.	150-170 rubles
"Ketonal", gel		Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal agent, relieves pain, swelling, has a local antipyretic effect. The gel is applied until completely absorbed, you can put on a cotton T-shirt on top.	180-200 rubles
Finalgel		A remedy with an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect. It copes well with the consequences of sports and labor injuries of the back, rheumanism.	350-430 rubles
"Nise", gel		New generation non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. In a short time, it relieves pain in the affected area, increases blood flow, and has an antipyretic effect. It is not recommended to squeeze out a column of gel more than three centimeters at a time.	120-150 rubles

If there were no means for rubbing the lower back in the house, you can use drugs in tablets or capsules: "Nurofen" (not only reduce pain, but also relieve inflammation), "Analgin" (budget pain reliever "for all time"), "Ketorol".

It should be understood that pain relievers only relieve pain, and do not treat the cause. Having taken the pill, a person should not return to the usual rhythm of life - it is worth relaxing a little and pay close attention to the signals of your body, note whether the pain will return and with what force. In case the rest did not give improvement, it is worth paying a visit to the hospital.

An important point! It is possible to use the drugs from the above table only if the person is sure of the source of the pain. If the cause is a violation of any organ, the ointment or gel will not only not have the desired effect, but can also negatively interfere with the course of the disease. So, most of these drugs are strictly contraindicated in acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys, during pregnancy, and childhood.

If the pain appeared suddenly during a state of rest or increased gradually, becoming barely bearable, it is recommended to call the ambulance team or go to the doctor yourself, if there is such possibility.

How is the cause of the pain diagnosed?

We have already mentioned that pain from the left side, passing into the lumbar region, is a nonspecific symptom that can manifest itself in various health problems.

And for an adult, determining the cause of pain is a whole "medical quest". First of all, it is necessary to pass tests. This study will show whether there is an inflammatory process in the body, whether the level of leukocytes is elevated. To exclude or confirm pathology in the kidneys, a urine test is taken.

Often, several doctors are involved in the consultation at once - a neurologist, surgeon, traumatologist, ultrasound specialist, and women must be examined by a gynecologist. If the analyzes have not clarified the picture, doctors use more accurate methods. The patient undergoes an ultrasound procedure (liver, kidneys, abdominal organs), if necessary, is sent for an X-ray (most often a general image of the spine, lungs).

To rule out heart disease, doctors will at least take an emergency cardiogram. If there is a suspicion of possible tumors, and this fact is confirmed by ultrasound or tomography, the patient is discharged referral to blood markers, through which you can learn about benign or malignant diseases.

The danger of self-medication

The above arguments suggest that it is impossible to try to treat back pain on your own without knowing the cause. Yes, the pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of pain relievers, but only two can be used. cases: either the etiology of pain is known and does not cause concern, or the person wants to simply fall asleep, and in the morning go to an appointment with to the doctor.

An important point! You do not need to drink pain relievers if you called an ambulance. The pill will smear the pain picture and make the diagnosis more difficult. When the doctors arrive, you will not even be able to say with certainty whether you are still in pain or whether the drug is working and relieving the pain syndrome.

Also, you should not resort to the methods of traditional medicine, and even more so to perform any physical exercises, even if you consider them healing and beneficial to the source of pain. If the left side and lower back hurts due to a spinal injury or infringement of a hernia between the vertebral discs, any movement can turn a relatively healthy person into a disabled person.

The treatment regimen can only be drawn up by a specialist doctor, but you have the right to consult and adjust the therapy. But we must remember that there is only one symptom, but there are many diseases. And if remedial gymnastics, home exercises and physiotherapy are often prescribed for postural disorders, then the same scheme is strictly contraindicated for tumors or heart diseases.

Video - Back and lower back hurts: what to do?

Summing up

Pain localized on the left side of the back, in the lumbar region, is an alarming sign that you need to pay attention to. This symptom is not necessarily associated with diseases of the back - many important organs are located on the left, and with pathologies in them, soreness can be given to the lower back. It is important to remember that delay in diagnosis and treatment can significantly affect future health.

Even if it seems to the sick person that the attack has passed and will not return, do not forget about the first outbreak of pain. If repeated pain syndrome occurs on the same day or the next day, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis.

Persistent or intense pain that is difficult to tolerate is also a reason for an immediate visit to a doctor. The specialist will conduct an examination, prescribe the necessary studies and procedures to identify the problem, and only then select the appropriate therapy and treatment regimen.