Colic in the left side: causes and possible diseases

Unpleasant colic in the left side is a painful symptom that causes serious discomfort, accompanying many different pathological processes in the human body. The fact is that the stomach itself, that is, the abdominal cavity, is a repository of various organs, which in turn also consist of a large number of constituent parts, therefore, a whole list is capable of causing this feeling diseases.

On the one hand, the pain that once manifests itself is not necessarily a sign of the development of any disease. On the other hand, it should be understood that with even an infrequent recurrence of colic, it is best to seek help from a licensed medical institution.

In this article, we will tell you what can cause unpleasant tingling and more intense pain localized on the left side. the human body, which organ systems alert you to danger, and when to go to the hospital if this occurs symptom.

Areas of the abdomen located in the left half

According to the anatomical system of the human body, the areas of the abdomen are divided not only into the left and right. In order to correctly determine which organs can give a signal about the development of the disease, we will determine which parts of the abdominal cavity are included in its left zone:

• hypochondrium;
• lateral;
• iliac.

Most often, colic that occurs in these segments indicates problems with the organs of the digestive system:

• liver;
• stomach;
• a bladder responsible for the production of bile;
• all parts of the intestine, etc.

However, despite the fact that it is the pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract that usually cause colic-like sensations on the left side body, such localization of the arising injections also speaks of diseases located in the elements of the following systems:

• urinary;
• cardiovascular;
• reproductive;
• respiratory;
• nervous;
• endocrine.

Tingling in the lateral part of the body is also said about diseases of the blood, tissue that connects the elements inside our body, and the like.

Varieties of pain

According to official medical terminology, there are several types of pain in the left god, differing from each other according to the mechanism of their occurrence.

Table 1. Types of pain

Kind of pain	Feel
Visceral	Usually, such sensations are dull in nature, while they can be easily tolerated or felt seriously. Many patients describe this pain as cramping, while other visitors to doctors' offices describe it as aching and sometimes subtle. The desired look is typical for the following cases: with disturbances in the gastric and intestinal peristalsis; when stretching tissues in the same organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Often the desired sensation radiates to the organs or parts of the body located next to them.
Peritoneal	In this case, the sensations will not manifest themselves periodically; most likely, you will be in discomfort from their constant presence. What is especially unpleasant, when moving, the desired symptom of the disease becomes much more pronounced, acquiring a cutting character. Sometimes it is enough just to breathe a little harder to feel the painful injection again.
Reflected pain	This type of pain can lead the patient into a serious misconception about which organ is affected by the disease. Pain is the result of irradiation, most often provoked by: pneumonia of the lower lobes of the lungs; heart attack; other lesions of the heart; ruptured spleen; hernia of the diaphragm; rheumatism; pleurisy and similar pathological processes.

The nature of the pain that occurs in the left side

The nature of the pain sensations, that is, how they are felt by the patient, very often helps to make corresponding truth assumptions regarding the specific localization of the disease, even before surveys.

If you suddenly feel a sharp pain, such as if a dagger was stuck in your left side, immediately go to the hospital. It doesn't matter whether you call an ambulance or get to the department of the medical institution you need on your own, you need to do this immediately.

The fact is that the suddenly manifested cutting pain - Possible evidence of perforation of the gastric wall, or intestine. In addition, it can indicate a ruptured spleen.

If you recently had an accident, fell, or was punched in the stomach, the stabbing pain you feel when you breathe signals that there is a very serious organ injury that threatens your life.

Pain that feels dull located directly in the area of ​​the left hypochondrium, and disturbing you for a long time, is likely to be an indicator of a slowly developing gastrointestinal disease, possibly:

• pancreatitis;
• cholecystitis;
• other pathologies that have a chronic form.

Of course, no physician will undertake to make accurate diagnoses based solely on sensations, it is necessary to undergo instrumental studies and pass several tests to the laboratory.

Aching discomfort in the hypochondrium - evidence of the same sluggish inflammatory process. Usually it is caused by diseases of the mucous walls of the duodenum. At the same time, other symptoms that are not related to pain can accompany the inflammatory process:

• vomit;
• stool disorders.

Quite often, aching sensations localized in the left side directly under the ribs indicate problems with the heart muscle, with:

• ischemic disease;
• angina pectoris;
• a condition preceding a heart attack.

Diseases in which colic may appear in the left side

Let's move on to a list of diseases that you are most likely to face if you experience colic in your left side.

Gastritis

Gastritis, in which the same actual pain in the left side, which has an aching character, is one of the least terrible, but still dangerous diseases of the stomach. This disease means the occurrence of changes in the mucous membrane, provoked by the inflammatory process. Usually gastritis lasts a long time, from an acute form, in the absence of treatment, turning into a chronic one. They provoke its appearance mainly:

• violation of the diet;
• eating food waste;
• bad ecology;
• stress;
• food allergies;
• the bacterium "Helicobacter pylori";
• oral infections and other similar causes.

In addition to colic in the left side, the disease will also be accompanied by:

• vomiting;
• feeling of heaviness;
• belching after eating;
• burning sensation in the epigastric region;
• a nasty taste in the mouth;
• heartburn;
• diarrhea.

In addition, gastritis also has general symptoms, such as:

• pallor of the skin;
• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• active sweating;
• burning sensation in the mouth;
• weak sensitivity of the limbs.

Stomach ulcer

Another disease of this most important organ of the digestive system, which provokes colic in the left side. They usually occur immediately after eating. The causes of the desired pathology lie in the same factors as in gastritis. I must say that usually a person feels a problem in the body, but is afraid to admit it to himself, so that he does not have to go to the hospital.

Painful injections in the side with gastric ulcer are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• heartburn;
• regurgitation of stomach acid;
• losing weight;
• vomiting after eating.

Sometimes a complication occurs in the desired disease - the wall of the stomach is perforated, and a so-called perforated ulcer is formed. The occurrence of this condition, coupled with medical care not provided in time, is a direct road to death. Pain in the left side with this pathological process becomes unbearable, radiating also to other parts of the abdominal cavity. As a result, the patient is struck by acute pain of a dagger. She is joined by:

• pallor;
• weakening;
• loss of consciousness in especially serious cases.

Stomach cancer

Cancers growing in the stomach are another possible cause of pain. At an early stage, he does not manifest himself with any other symptoms, however, to a small extent it still makes itself felt:

• the patient's appetite decreases;
• weight goes away;
• diarrhea opens;
• constipation may occur;
• vomiting and nausea also follow the patient;
• there is an inexplicable aversion to meat;
• anemia develops;
• the stomach feels full after taking small portions of food.

At later stages, black diarrhea, vomiting in the form of "coffee grounds" and other unpleasant manifestations of the disease also join the sought symptoms. Do not bring it to this, see a doctor immediately.

Constipation

By itself, the desired stool disorder can be caused by many different reasons, both dangerous and harmless. For example, if you ate starchy foods, or spent the entire day in a sitting position, it is possible that you will have difficulty defecating. Simultaneously with constipation, pains appear in the left side. By the way, they can also be caused by the use of a large amount of food at a time.

Don't overload your digestive system. Try drinking a laxative herbal decoction, or simply drinking plenty of lukewarm water. The liquid will soften the stool and aid in its excretion.

Note! If constipation is new to you and has recurred only once, drinking fluids will help you. However, persistent stool problems are a bad signal. Discuss the problems with a specialist with a medical education, perhaps the problem lies in the wrong diet.

Splenomegaly

The next disease, at the occurrence of which you will feel injections in the left god, is splenomegaly, or pathological changes in the size of the spleen, in this case its increase. This is what causes pain in the area of ​​interest to us, since the organ is stretched, at the same time increasing the size of its own capsule. In this case, pathology will also be accompanied by:

• migraines or just severe headaches;
• aching muscles and joints;
• weakness;
• high temperature;
• active sweating;
• swollen lymph nodes and inflammation of the lymphatic system;
• colds;
• lesions of the epithelium, also having a cold etiology;
• dizziness

Spleen injury

Pain in the left side is usually felt when the target organ is ruptured when you:

• fell;
• you got hit in the stomach and the like.

In other words, the rupture is provoked by an external influence on the body. If you find blue discoloration around the navel, it is most likely that a rupture takes place, and profuse hemorrhage gave this color to the epithelium.

From the area under the rib, pain can radiate to the back, maintaining intensity. Remember, the state in which the patient is at this moment is very life-threatening. Do not hesitate, and urgently seek help from an ambulance.

Diaphragmatic hernia

The desired disease implies a weakening of the tissues of the opening in the diaphragm, which is inside the chest, which is necessary for the passage of the esophagus, through which our food enters the digestive systems. When the turgor of this element is weakened, the desired passage expands, as a result of which the upper part of the stomach from the abdominal cavity enters the chest.

In addition to dull, constantly disturbing pain, localized on the left side of the body, occur with a hernia of a diaphragmatic nature:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• heartburn and similar manifestations.

The reason for the weakening of the tissues of the passage can be:

• excessive physical activity;
• pregnancy;
• elderly age;
• excess excess weight.

The consequence of the desired pathology can be pinching of the most important organ of the gastrointestinal tract - the stomach.

Cardiomyopathy

This term refers to a whole group of diseases that affect the heart. All these pathologies affect the structural change in the muscle that pumps blood through our body, at the same time with which its full functioning is disrupted. In addition to pain in the left side, cardiomyopathy can also affect:

• increased heart rate;
• general well-being.

It is necessary to treat this complex disease as it can develop into more serious and specific problems.

Ischemic heart muscle disease

Ischemia is a dangerous violation of the blood supply to the organ under consideration. It occurs as a result of damage to the coronary arteries. It is accompanied by pain in the left side of our body, as well as:

• shortness of breath;
• burning sensation in the chest;
• rapid heart rate;
• heaviness in the chest;
• nausea.

A very serious pathology that requires immediate medical intervention and further professional control.

Pneumonia

Another disease that often brings a symptom, to which our today's material is devoted, is pneumonia, which develops in the left-sided region of the lungs. Most often, pain in the side with it is not pronounced, however, when sick people cough, they feel sharp injections.

Left-sided pneumonia is accompanied:

• dry cough;
• pain in the head;
• muscle aches;
• general malaise.

As symptoms progress, purulent sputum, fever, and weakness are added to these symptoms.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy that develops on the left side of the body is another disease that can lead to the development of the pain symptom of interest to us. With this disease, it is not the lungs themselves that become inflamed, but their shell. The course of the disease can be different:

• "Dry", with loss of fibrin on the membrane of the organ;
• with the accumulation of various liquids.

Most often, with pleurisy, pain in the side on the left side does not bother the patient by itself, however, during coughing or bending to the sides, it begins to be felt very clearly. In addition, a person is constantly worried about:

• rapid breathing;
• intense sweating;
• persistent cough (dry or with phlegm);
• shortness of breath;
• pallor of the skin;
• swelling of the veins;
• etc.

Neuralgia

When the nerves between the ribs are squeezed, pain is also possible. In this case, they can be of the most varied nature, felt by injections or constant pressure. With neuralgia, every movement can be painful, a small sigh or cough is enough to feel it again. In this case, even pressing on specific points located:

• on the chest;
• near the spine;
• between the ribs.

In the case of a real neuralgia, painful sensations can be localized not only on the left side under the ribs, but also go into the back, under the shoulder blade.

Rheumatic diseases

If you suffer from a pathology of the spine or any diseases of a rheumatic nature, it is likely that the pain on the left side of the body is caused by them. Quite often, the desired syndrome accompanies people suffering from dystrophy of the abdominal muscles.

Trauma

Injuries and pains in the left side are a common picture that appears before doctors on examination. Colic is usually provoked by trauma to tissues, bones, cartilage that occurred during a fall, injury due to external factors, and the like.

Bruises are accompanied by bruises, which can also give colic-like sensations.

Pancreatic pathology

Inflammation of the desired gland or oncological processes in it is another possible cause of colic. Gives most often to the left side, sometimes radiates to the back. The fact is that this organ actually crosses completely the upper part of the abdominal cavity, therefore, as a result, painful sensations can form in several places at once.

Inflammatory processes in the gland that produces the nutrients we need to absorb digestive enzymes, develop rather quickly, soon turning into necrotic or oncological shape. In time, the untreated gland must be surgically removed. Of course, today there are drugs that can help replace it, however, it is rather difficult to actually survive even if they are available.

With pancreatitis, pain is usually felt as sharp, while having an enviable constancy. In addition, it provokes this disease and:

• profuse vomiting;
• interspersed with bile vomit.

The patient does not receive relief from such a release of the contents of the stomach, on the contrary, he only gets worse. A little later, jaundice begins to appear, the urine darkens, and the feces, on the contrary, become lighter.

Sometimes pancreatitis manifests itself not in an acute, but in a chronic form, which adds unpleasant symptoms, nevertheless, reducing the intensity of sensations. If you eat junk food with chronic pancreatitis, you will most likely feel incredible heaviness in the upper abdomen after a while.

With cancer processes in the pancreas, pain in the hypochondrium on the left side takes on a long and intense character. It often becomes stronger when the patient lies on his back, which forces him to constantly rest in a slightly bent position.

Diseases of the female reproductive system

Women, according to statistics, suffer from pain in the left side of the abdomen, and in general in the abdominal region, much more often than men. This is due to the fact that the work of the female reproductive system, which has many components, is very sensitive, and any, even minor malfunctions in it, as well as absolutely natural and safe processes, often pass painful.

For example, for inflammation of the appendages of the uterine tubes, andexitis, a woman is most likely to feel colic in her left side, which will subsequently turn into sharp, dagger-like injections. The pain extends not only to this area, but also to the lower abdomen, groin area, lumbar back. In addition, a woman with andexitis will feel:

• elevated temperature;
• chills;
• active sweating;
• headache;
• muscle aches;
• intoxication;
• disorders associated with urination are also possible.

The left-sided pathological process is often also accompanied by dull pain (as with menstruation) in the vagina and lower abdomen, while menstruation passes:

• irregularly;
• very painful;
• with the release of clots and copious amounts of blood;
• it may, on the contrary, manifest itself as an abundant discharge;
• the period of menstruation is both lengthening and shortening.

In addition, there is a violation of sexual functions. If a woman plans to become a mother in the future, if pain occurs in the left god, accompanied by other with the symptoms listed above, she should immediately go to an appointment with a gynecologist, with possible subsequent hospitalization.

Torsion or rupture of the leg of the ovarian cyst - Another pathological condition of the female reproductive system, accompanied by severe pains on the left side of the body, starting like colic. In the presence of a torsion or rupture, the general condition of a woman is also depressed, there are:

• vomit;
• high temperature;
• weakness.

This is not to say that the localization of pain is concentrated in a specific place, no, cramps spread throughout the abdominal cavity and can become stronger during sex.

In addition, uterine bleeding and a violation of the frequency of the passage of menstruation, as well as a change in its duration, often occur.

Bpregnancy developing outside the uterus - Another reason for which pain can be localized in the lateral region of interest to us. However, it is difficult to call them colic, since it is almost impossible to withstand these pains. The fact is that usually the fetus is formed inside the fallopian tube, which expands and breaks, bringing unbearable suffering to the woman.

It is impossible to predict the development of uterine pregnancy, especially if it came unplanned, however, if you "did" the child on purpose, do not pull, and get registered in a special women's consultation. The fact is that in the early stages of fetal formation, it is almost impossible to distinguish a pregnancy with a pathology from a normal one. The symptoms are the same:

• breast tenderness and enlargement;
• nausea in the morning;
• increased appetite;
• desire to sleep a lot.

The pain comes to women usually between 5 and 8 weeks of pregnancy, while initially it can be of any nature. (to be aching, stabbing), but then, with the formation of ruptures in the fallopian tubes, it becomes a dagger and completely unbearable.

Another symptom characteristic of an ectopic pregnancy, which is not necessary, however, signaling a malfunction better than others, is bleeding, which is associated with damage to blood vessels from a growing fetus. They are usually allocated from the vagina, not abundantly, however, it is difficult to confuse them with menstruation if their manifestation does not coincide with your cycle.

State of shock

The desired state of the body, which develops with large blood loss, is often accompanied by the following manifestations:

• anemic skin;
• low blood pressure;
• infrequent and weak heartbeats;
• cramping pain in the left side.

If the most noticeable of the above symptoms manifests itself, you should immediately contact the ambulance service, otherwise the victim will face an inevitable death. A timely surgical intervention can save him.

Pilonephritis and other kidney pathologies

They can also cause colic on the left side of our body. It is localized not entirely from the side, but rather in the lateral part of the back. The character is usually not sharp, but aching, intense, sometimes occurs in the form of seizures.

In addition to pain, pyelonephritis provokes:

• intoxication;
• weakness;
• high body temperature;
• vomiting and persistent nausea.

In damp weather, the pain is usually worse. The patient needs frequent visits to the toilet for the sake of urination.

Urolithiasis

Another serious disease of the urinary system, proceeding without much expression until the first attack. The pain, however, accompanies him with pricks in the left side from the very beginning, intensifying during sports, long walking and while driving on uneven roads.

As soon as the salt stone moves and clogs the ureter, other symptoms begin to appear, such as nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine.

Let's summarize

In this material, we have listed for you not all the pathological processes occurring in the human body that can cause colic in the left side of our body. The search term "colic" usually refers to pain of low intensity. However, if the cause of their appearance is not eliminated, as a result, it can turn into severe cramps.

As you can see, initially, based on the localization of the disease, it is impossible to say which organ is affected, because the mechanisms of the onset of pain inside our body differ. It is not at all necessary that it is the organ located directly under the ribs on the left that is sick; it is quite possible that the pain sensations are simply reflected.

The most important thing to remember for our dear readers is that you should not delay if any unpleasant sensations arise in the area in question. Of course, if you have already been to a doctor, you know what is the cause of the discomfort, and you have a list of medications or medical procedures that will help you cope with them, you should not worry again, unless the pain does not become stronger.

You should not self-medicate, because this is a direct road to the deterioration of your condition. Take care of yourself and be healthy!

Video - Pain in the left side of the abdomen