What is upper left abdominal pain?
The upper left side of your abdomen is home to several of your major internal organs. Your spleen and a large portion of your stomach reside in the upper left side of your abdomen, as well as portions of your pancreas, left kidney, your large colon, and your liver.
Signs of upper left side abdominal pain
Pain in the upper left abdomen can be severe. It can be caused by a range of issues, most commonly stomach problems or conditions that affect the internal organs in that area.
Signs of pain in the upper left abdominal area can include:
- Tenderness near the left portion of your rib cage
- Burning feeling in the chest area
- Stabbing sensation under the left rib cage
- Discomfort when lying down
Causes of upper left side abdominal pain
Upper left side abdominal pain can come from many different sources. The most common reasons are:
Indigestion
Everyone experiences indigestion from time to time. Indigestion mostly happens when your body has trouble digesting food.
Most people who experience indigestion also encounter heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest. While the occasional problem digesting food is usually nothing to worry about, if you’re experiencing constant symptoms you should talk to your doctor as it may indicate an underlying issue.
Stomach ulcers
A peptic ulcer, also known as a stomach ulcer, is an open sore on the lining of the stomach. It happens when the stomach lining has been damaged. Stomach ulcers occur mostly in patients who use anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, in the long term. These ulcers can also be caused by bacterial infections.
Enlarged spleen
An enlarged spleen, or splenomegaly, in some cases, has no symptoms. The most common symptoms are feeling full quickly during meals, or discomfort and pain on the upper left side of the abdomen. This pain may also spread to your left shoulder. Although the spleen is a small organ, it has several important functions including immune system defense and storing red blood cells.
Broken or bruised ribs
Rib injuries can happen when there is trauma to the chest. Someone with broken or bruised ribs will have pain while breathing or moving. Although you can’t see a rib injury, you will definitely be able to feel one.
In most cases, bruised ribs don’t require much more than rest and usually heal in one to three months. Dealing with broken ribs can be more complex. There is a danger of puncture to the nearby organs when a rib is broken. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you may have a broken or bruised rib.
Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a medium-sized organ located in the upper abdomen. It produces hormones that help your body regulate sugar and enzymes needed for digestion. Pancreatitis happens when those enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas, causing inflammation.
Pancreatitis patients may feel pain in the left or right upper abdomen, as well as pain radiating to the back. Heavy alcohol use and gallstones are the most common reasons one develops pancreatitis.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition of the heart. It is the inflammation of the sac-like tissue, or pericardium, that surrounds the heart.
A small amount of fluid usually keeps those layers of tissue separate. Patients feel pain when the layers of the pericardium become irritated and rub together. The types of pain can be different, but most patients experience sharp or stabbing pain. Viral infections are a common cause of pericarditis.
Cancer
Tumors in organs located in the upper left abdominal region may also cause pain.
Your doctor is the best person to help you determine the cause of your pain and make a diagnosis. This list is in no way exhaustive, and there may be other conditions that cause you pain or otherwise affect the upper left side of your abdomen.
QUESTION
Medically speaking, the term "myalgia" refers to what type of pain? See AnswerDiagnosis for upper left side abdominal pain
Your doctor will conduct an abdominal examination to check your internal organs, mainly your spleen. They will probe your upper left abdominal area to find the source of your pain.
They may also conduct a chest examination. The doctor will also examine your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
For women of childbearing age, they will also check for a possible pregnancy.
Treatments for upper left side abdominal pain
Your doctor will do a series of tests to determine the cause of your abdominal pain. Once they find out what the issue is, they will recommend a treatment plan.
Some causes will have an easier fix than others. Heartburn can often be treated with simple antacid while an enlarged spleen will have a more complex course of treatment. Giving your doctor a detailed account of your symptoms will assist them with determining the cause of your upper left abdominal pain.
Health News
- CDC Warns of Potentially Fatal Bacterial Illness on U.S. Gulf Coast
- Helping Others as Volunteers Helps Kids 'Flourish': Study
- FDA Approves Pfizer's RSV Shot for Older Adults
- What to Do When Tough-to-Treat Lymphoma Strikes During Pregnancy
- Rate of Pregnant U.S. Women Who Have Diabetes Keeps Rising
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Family Doctor: “Indigestion (Dyspepsia).”
Mayo Clinic: “Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).”
Medical News Today: “What causes upper left abdominal pain under the ribs?”
MedIndia: “Broken or Bruised Ribs.”
Medline Plus: “Acute pancreatitis.”
National Institutes of Health: “Symptoms and Causes of Pancreatitis.”
Patient: “Left Upper Quadrant Pain.”
Patient: “Stomach Ulcer.”
Top What Causes Upper Left Abdominal Pain Related Articles
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a ballooning or widening of the main artery (the aorta) as it courses down through the abdomen. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms produce no symptoms. Treatment may include observation or surgical repair.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can have many causes that range from mild to severe. Some of these causes include bloating, gas, colitis, endometriosis, food poisoning, GERD, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), ovarian cysts, abdominal adhesions, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and cancers. Signs and symptoms of the more serious causes include dehydration, bloody or black tarry stools, severe abdominal pain, pain with no urination or painful urination. Treatment for abdominal pain depends upon the cause.
What's Causing Your Abdominal Pain?
In general, abdominal pain, which may be in the lower left or right of your abdomen, is a symptom of many possible conditions including appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, and others. It may accompany constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Find out the potential causes of pain in the abdomen and learn when you should see a doctor.
Children's Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain in children can be more than just a tummy ache. What are the common causes of abdominal pain in children? Learn about pediatric abdominal pain symptoms and treatments for stomach pain in children.
What Is the Difference Between Fluoroscopy and Radiography?
Radiography or X-ray and fluoroscopy procedures seem similar. However, fluoroscopy obtains moving images of the inner part of the body and radiography uses gamma rays to develop a static image of the internal structure of a body.
gotu kola
Gotu kola is a medicinal herb (Centella asiatica) that has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine systems to treat circulatory conditions, wound healing, abdominal disorders, and memory enhancement. Gotu kola is used for treating wounds, thick raised scarring (hypertrophic scarring), psoriasis, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and others. Common side effects of gotu kola include nausea, gastrointestinal upset, high cholesterol levels, burning, skin rash, itching (pruritus), photosensitivity, allergic contact dermatitis, drowsiness, dizziness, and others.
How Easy Is It to Get Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a potentially severe illness. It's not easy for humans to contract this illness.turmeric
Turmeric is a perennial herb (Curcuma longa) used orally and topically in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for multiple ailments. Turmeric may be used to treat fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, headache, fever, bronchitis, indigestion (dyspepsia), diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas (flatulence) and bloating, minor skin irritations, ringworm, leech bites, infected wounds, inflammatory skin conditions, and others. Mild side effects of oral turmeric include stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea. Do not take turmeric if pregnant or breastfeeding.
What Are the Causes of Upper Left Side Abdominal Pain in Children?
What's causing your child's abdominal pains, and how can you spot the symptoms? Learn what commonly causes abdominal pains in children and how to treat them.
What Are the Signs of a Blocked Bowel?
What is a blocked bowel, and how do you fix it? Learn the signs, what causes a blockage, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated.
What Causes Pain in the Upper Stomach?
Pain in the upper stomach is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of pain in the upper stomach, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it.
What Causes Sharp Pains in the Stomach?
What is abdominal pain or pains in the stomach? Learn the symptoms of sharp pain in the stomach, what might be causing sharp pain in the stomach, and when to see a doctor for sharp pain in the stomach. You should be concerned about abdominal pain that is severe or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, pale or bloody stools, vomiting blood, etc.
When Should You Worry About Pelvic Pain?
The pelvis houses parts of your urinary, reproductive, and digestive systems. You should worry about pelvic pain when symptoms are severe and point to a potentially urgent underlying condition.