What to do if there is pain in the left side at waist level - reasons

If you have pain in your left side at waist level, this may indicate various reasons, starting with mechanical damage to soft tissues resulting from injury, and ending with a disease of the internal organs. The left side of the abdominal cavity contains many vital organs, the disruption of which can cause serious consequences for the body. To prevent the development of complications, you need to know which factors contribute to the occurrence of pain. All this will be discussed in this article.

Pain in left side at waist level

Types of pain

Depending on the development of the disease, the nature of the pain may vary. Let's consider each type separately:

• stupid. As a rule, dull pain in the lower abdomen occurs against the background of gynecological diseases. Its appearance can also be affected by mechanical damage resulting from injuries;

  Dull pain in the side

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• pulling _ According to statistical data, nagging pain in the abdominal area most often occurs with the development of a purulent or inflammatory infection, as well as with pathologies of an oncological nature;
• sharp _ Often, sharp pain in the left side acts as one of the symptoms of diseases of the pelvic organs;
• stabbing pain , as a rule, occurs when there are problems with the patient’s spine or increased gas formation.

Possible diseases depending on the location of the pain

On a note! Pain in the left hypochondrium is often accompanied by other symptoms, familiarization with which helps the doctor make an accurate diagnosis. Often, with pain on the left side, the patient experiences diarrhea or constipation, general weakness of the body, chills, and attacks of nausea.

Organs of the left hypochondrium

What can hurt on the left side?

According to statistics, left-sided pain in the lower abdomen bothers every 6th person on the planet at least once in their life. There are many known diseases that are characterized by the presence of this symptom. Pelvic pain in women can occur as a result of chronic or acute pathologies of the intestines, female reproductive organs or urinary system. Disorders of the pelvic lymph nodes, musculoskeletal system, or blood vessels can also cause problems.

According to statistics, the cause of pain in the left lower abdomen in women is urological or gynecological pathologies. Less often, representatives of the fair sex suffer from disorders of the digestive tract and spinal pathologies.

Reasons for appearance

There are many different factors that contribute to the appearance of pain in the left hypochondrium. But most of them are associated with disturbances in the functioning of the following internal organs:

• appendix;
• intestines;
• diaphragm;
• spleen;
• pancreas.

Pancreas

As practice shows, pain in the left side of women most often occurs with the development of gynecological diseases or inflammation of the genitourinary tract:

• malignant or benign formations;
• pain during menstruation;
• inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (uterine appendages);
• development of cystitis;
• cyst formation;
• rupture of the fallopian tubes;
• ectopic pregnancy.

If your stomach hurts

If we talk about the male half, then in this case the range of possible reasons is noticeably narrowed. But, despite this, there are still quite a lot of problems that can cause pain in the left side:

• oncological diseases;
• development of cystitis;
• inguinal hernia;
• formation of stones in the prostate;
• inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis).

Prostatitis

It is worth noting that in order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to determine the location of the pain (for example, pain in the back, in the lumbar region, under the ribs, etc.). This will allow doctors to find out which organ disease caused the pain.

Pain in the left side in men

Causes of left colic in women

Pain in the left ovary can be caused by a follicle emerging from it

If a woman has a pain in her stomach on the left side, this may indicate the development of gynecological problems that are characteristic only of the weaker sex. But there are situations in which such sensations are a normal manifestation of physiological processes. Stitching on the left side in the ovarian area can be due to the onset of menstruation, or during ovulation, when a mature follicle emerges from its cell.

Long-term persistence of stabbing sensations, combined with painful menstruation, often indicates the development of pathologies in the endometrium, an inflammatory process, and the formation of anomalies, for example, a curvature of the uterus. All this is accompanied by additional symptoms:

• disruption of the menstrual cycle;
• spotting between periods;
• the appearance of pathological discharge - unpleasant-smelling, unhealthy in color;
• increased pain in the appendage area;
• frequent urination, combined with a feeling of constant pressure in the lower abdomen.

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All this can be a consequence of diseases such as ovarian inflammation, uterine fibroids, endometriosis.

Possible types of uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are a benign formation that is rarely accompanied by severe symptoms. Symptoms develop as the tumor grows and often cause discomfort when the tumor reaches a serious size. Fibroids can be accompanied by prolonged bleeding and often require surgical removal.

Torsion of the pedicle of an ovarian cyst can provoke acute pain. This condition is caused by:

• intense physical activity with twists and turns;
• lifting weights;
• too rough sexual contact.

Torsion is accompanied by increased temperature, swelling in the affected area, decreased blood pressure, and nausea. The only way to get rid of this pathology is through surgery.

The cause of tingling in the left side of the lower abdomen in a woman during pregnancy may be the onset of a miscarriage. The uterus contracts, which leads to bleeding and detachment of the fertilized egg. To prevent the situation, antispasmodics and hormonal drugs are prescribed, as well as bed rest. But there is another situation when tingling indicates an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, it is necessary to remove the embryo from the fallopian tube.

In old age, the large and small intestines work much worse, peristalsis slows down, and food processing is disrupted. Inflamed areas cause diarrhea, constipation and other unpleasant symptoms. With bloating and flatulence, stabbing sensations can spread to the left or right side.

There is a high risk of developing oncological processes against the background of constant inflammation. Also, in older people, the absorption of certain foods worsens - heavy, fatty foods, dairy products.

Common diseases

It was previously noted that doctors associate the appearance of periodic or constant pain with diseases of the kidneys, gall bladder, colon, pancreas and other diseases. Below are the most common pathologies that may be accompanied by the appearance of characteristic pain at the waist level.

Table. Diseases that cause pain in the left side.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

On a note! Not only serious pathologies can cause discomfort or pain in the left side. Often, pain occurs due to improper or unbalanced nutrition, which provokes increased gas formation.

The most common diseases for chronic pain on the left

Most of the disorders accompanied by heaviness and pain in the left hypochondrium in front or side after eating in women and men are associated with pathologies of the digestive system.

Gastritis as the main cause

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa appears under the intense action of hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for the production of propepsinogens and gastrin, as well as other enzymes. Under their activity, the digestive process occurs. To protect the mucous tissue, the body secretes a special secretion - mucin, which prevents the acidic substance from contacting the tissues of the organ.

Under the influence of too concentrated acid, bile, medications, alcohol and some other substances, the production of protective mucus stops or worsens. This leads to disturbances in local immunity and activation of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Against the background of the pathological process, acute gastritis develops, which, if left untreated, enters the chronic phase.

The development of gastritis is triggered by irregular meals with long intervals, abuse of fatty, spicy foods, smoked foods, alcohol, hot, carbonated drinks, as well as overeating.

Gastritis is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• acute pain and spasms on the left, located in the front (closer to the side or navel);
• during an exacerbation, nausea, vomiting, belching and lack of appetite are observed;
• symptoms of gastritis with low and high stomach acidity may be similar.

The process becomes chronic under the constant influence of bacteria, viruses and fungi. There are also autoimmune forms that are the most difficult to treat. If a person smokes and drinks alcohol on a regular basis, he will not be able to get rid of the disease. With exacerbation of chronic gastritis, severe stool disturbances are possible, psychological disorders, asthenoneurotic syndrome, and insomnia appear.

Gastritis is one of the most common pathologies of the digestive system among the inhabitants of the planet. This disease can be hidden, but sooner or later it reveals itself. Acute pain on the left under the ribs after eating is the most pronounced symptom of the condition.

Stomach and intestinal ulcers

The ulcer in most cases develops against the background of chronic gastritis, which is not treated by the patient. The ulcer recurs and cannot be cured completely, however, with a competent approach to therapy, following a diet and maintaining an active lifestyle, a person can achieve stable remission.

The development of ulcers occurs against the background of the same mechanisms that are characteristic of gastritis. It becomes a consequence of various diseases of the digestive system, poor diet, alcohol abuse and smoking.

Pain from an ulcer is located mainly at the top of the stomach; it can radiate to the left shoulder and chest. Symptoms often occur 0.5-1 hour after eating. If the antrum is affected, symptoms often develop at night, as well as with prolonged absence of food. Vomiting and nausea appear, as well as constipation, flatulence, bloating and belching.

An ulcer is extremely dangerous because bleeding can open at any moment - the wound will break through and the contents of the intestine will pass into the abdominal cavity. This is dangerous due to complications such as peritonitis. Another consequence of ulcerative processes is the formation of malignant cells in a constantly injured area.

Pancreatitis as a cause of pain

Pain after eating can also occur with pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the tail of the pancreas associated with impaired enzyme production. Pancreatitis appears under the influence of the following factors:

• chronic alcoholism;
• autoimmune disorders;
• hormone therapy;
• metabolic problems;
• presence of parasites;
• viruses (including hepatitis and mumps).

With pancreatitis, a person experiences the following symptoms: bitterness in the mouth, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, foamy stools and pain when visiting the toilet, pain on palpation, vomiting and nausea, weight loss.

Diaphragmatic hernia

Unpleasant symptoms are not always associated with diseases of the stomach, pancreas or intestines. Diaphragmatic hernia is a common disorder. There is an opening in the body between the abdominal cavity and the sternum that is necessary for the proper functioning of the esophagus. When the muscle frame weakens, this hole expands, through which the upper part of the stomach exits into the sternum, which leads to heartburn, pain and severe belching.

In some cases, the disease requires emergency surgical care: for chronic pain, pinching, intense swelling. With a diaphragmatic hernia, the pain becomes worse after eating.

Conservative treatment of hernias is only possible if they are small in size and do not cause too much discomfort. As part of complex treatment, doctors prescribe exercise therapy and No-Shpa, Phosphalugel, Omez, Almagel.

Irritable bowel syndrome

IBS is a specific disorder that includes the causes of pain in the left hypochondrium on the side after eating, associated with the psychological state of the patient. Bloating, constipation, increased peristalsis or diarrhea appear under the influence of stress and emotional experiences, although there are no substantiated reasons for the disease.

The symptoms subside when the patient stops being nervous and undergoes a course of not only medication, but also psychotherapeutic help. In severe cases, anemia and fever may develop if the person is not treated for a long time.

Other violations

Cholecystitis, as well as pathologies of the biliary tract, can provoke pain after eating, but most often it occurs on the right. A symptom may appear due to pylorospasm, which occurs in the area of ​​the pylorus of the stomach. This pathology more often affects people who suffer from neuroses.

Similar symptoms occur in those who suffer from celiac disease or lactose intolerance. Acute pain after eating can also be observed in case of allergies to certain foods or chemical components in them.

When to see a doctor

If the pain takes you by surprise, you need to seek help from a doctor as soon as possible, especially since the symptom often occurs without any previous signs.

In some cases, you need to urgently consult a doctor

Medical attention is required if the following additional symptoms occur:

• blood in the stool;
• frequent vomiting of blood;
• intense diarrhea and nausea;
• severe dizziness, general weakness of the body;
• temperature increase;
• the stomach becomes hard and increases in size;
• the pain in the left side gradually intensifies (is of an increasing nature).

At the doctor

If dangerous symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis. In this case, treatment should be carried out by a gastroenterologist, but the help of an immunologist, urologist or gynecologist may also be needed.

Colic in the left hypochondrium on the side

The appearance of colic on the left and side may not be an indicator of the disease. There may be physical injury to the intercostal muscles or nerves. As a result of disruption of the respiratory system, the left side of the abdomen suffers.

Inflammation of the nerves in the intercostal space is the cause of stabbing discomfort. When pressing on the ribs, the pain becomes more intense. Herpes zoster causes pain on the left side, and it burns very much. A rash appears on the skin.

With dysfunction of the respiratory organs, pleurisy or pneumonia, pain occurs when inhaling. Inhaling forcefully, bending forward, or coughing intensifies the sensation. Additional external signs appear: cough, high temperature, weakness, shortness of breath, heaviness in the chest.

Myositis

Inflammation of the muscles of the chest wall. The development of myositis makes itself felt by colic in the left side. Appears when bending over. During the examination, the doctor palpates the area of ​​the lump. Fever and weakness rarely accompany the disease.

What to do

To exclude possible complications, it is necessary to consult several specialists at once. During the diagnostic examination, the doctor needs to tell you about the nature of the pain, duration and location. In addition to all the doctors mentioned above, a therapist, an infectious disease specialist and a traumatologist can diagnose and treat.

Preparing for an MRI of the abdominal organs

Diagnosis of pain in the left side includes the following procedures:

• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• palpation of the affected area;
• ultrasonography;
• laboratory test of blood, stool or urine;
• visual examination of the patient.

Palpation of the abdomen

After receiving the test results, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. Only then does he prescribe appropriate treatment. As a rule, drug therapy is sufficient, although in rare cases when the disease is acute, a referral for surgery is required.

Treatment with medication is often sufficient

When making a diagnosis, the doctor must take into account the presence of other pathologies.

Surgery

Regardless of the type of pathology or the prescribed course, the patient must follow a special diet, since most causes of abdominal pain are associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract . Typically, this diet consists of eating healthy foods. It is necessary to exclude from the diet all harmful foods that negatively affect the mucous membrane of internal organs. Bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse should also be given up. This will not only prevent the development of abdominal pain, but also strengthen the body as a whole. My stomach is churning and I feel nauseous, see what to do at the link.

Pain in the left side at the waist level - the main diseases in women and men

A factor that provokes the appearance of pain in this area can even be an incorrect diet or excess food consumption, which provoked flatulence or stomach problems.

But the reason is not always so harmless, so you should know all the diseases, the symptom of which is pain on the left side at the waist level.

First of all, the most dangerous diseases that require urgent intervention should be considered.

But you should not ignore other ailments, because without proper and timely treatment they can take an acute or chronic form and lead to serious consequences for our body.

Worries about the lower abdomen: what is it?

This phenomenon is no less dangerous for human health and life, therefore, in no case should it be ignored. Most often they are responsible for reproductive and urinary function.

Let's look at why the left side hurts in the lower abdomen, the main reasons:

1. Diseases of the urinary tract . At the same time, the body temperature also rises and the color of the urine becomes darker.
2. Inflammatory process in the intestines. If you are worried about constipation, flatulence, or diarrhea, then most likely you have intestinal inflammation. You need to follow a diet and visit a doctor.
3. Pyelonephritis is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, swelling, and general malaise.

Diarrhea as a cause of inflammation in the intestines