Discomfort and pain in the area of the left hypochondrium is a common reason for people to seek medical help. The disease can manifest itself with sharp, cutting, aching and other painful sensations in the left side. Pain can also vary in intensity and duration.
It is unlikely that just one trip to the doctor will be sufficient to establish the true cause of the painful feeling. Most likely, you will need additional medical examinations. The fact is that in the projection of the left hypochondrium there are several causal zones, since a person there has not one organ but several. And in any of them, trouble can nest. Rarely, when it is possible to find out the snag of the problem from the first time.
Let's consider today:
- all organs in the projection of the left hypochondrium;
- causes and varieties of pain;
- specific pain experienced by women;
- discomfort caused by heart and vascular disease;
- pain independent of diseases
- and what measures can be taken and what to do at home.
CONTENTS
Left hypochondrium and projection of organs on it
The left subcostal is a region located under the two lower ribs on the left side of the conditioned midpoint of the abdomen. Here the following organs are localized:
- spleen;
- pancreas;
- the left side of the stomach;
- diaphragm( left side);
- small intestine;
- large intestine;
- left kidney and its ureter, as well as ligaments.
In addition, there are some other types of pain in this area, not directly related to the above bodies. They are the result of diseases of internal organs in other areas of the abdomen or parts of the trunk and spread along nerve fibers.
Pain in the left hypochondrium - possible causes
The main causes of pain in the hypochondrium on the left are the following:
- stomach diseases, most often - ulcer, gastritis;
- pancreatic disease - pancreatitis;
- of the disease of the spleen;
- pathology of the left kidney;
- disease of the small and large intestine.
Also, equally rare, pain in this area can be caused by:
- inflammatory processes of the diaphragm, its hernias and tumors;
- pneumonia of the left lung;
- with heart diseases, in particular angina, heart attack, ischemic disease;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar, as well as thoracic spine;
- inflammatory processes in the appendages to the left in women( adnexitis, etc.);
- postoperative and post-traumatic effects( bruises, cuts, sutures);
- with high physical loads.
Each of these reasons can be a potential threat to human life. Therefore, for their timely removal and treatment, an immediate appeal to a specialist is required.
Types of pain, what are
By the nature of pain in the left hypochondrium are the following types:
- blunt, aching;
- pulling;
- sharp, sharp;
- is a piercing.
In addition to these characteristics for the correct diagnosis, the doctor takes into account and indirect manifestations of pain. These include:
- start;
- development;
- character;
- duration;
- intensity;
- causes amplification;
- irradiation( where it gives);
- causes relief.
A person who can correctly describe the nature of pain greatly helps and speeds up the process of identifying the causes of the disease.
Pain sharp and sharp
Severe, acute pain usually indicates the presence of serious lesions of the internal organs requiring immediate hospitalization. In this case, a strong, almost intolerable pain reaction arises in a person, often accompanied by loss of consciousness.
If this does not happen, then the person tries to alleviate the condition, waving in search of a comfortable position of the body.
This pain occurs in the following cases:
- renal colic;
- perforated stomach ulcer;
- acute pancreatitis;
- intestinal perforation;
- strangulated renal cyst;
- trauma to internal organs - rupture of either the hematoma of the spleen, fracture of the ribs, rupture of the kidney, rupture of the ligament of the kidney.
To save a patient's life, surgical intervention is unavoidable in such situations.
Pain dull and aching
This kind of pain can occur in many cases, most often associated with a chronic course of diseases of the left hypochondrium.
These include chronic forms of gastritis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and pyelonephritis, colitis or duodenitis. Also, ischemic heart disease and pre-infarction often carry such a pain syndrome.
With this type of pain, the patient often does not go to the doctor on time and adapts to them. As a result, in the body for a long time without treatment processes that lead to the destruction of organs or irreversible tissue degradation that threaten the loss of the functions of the entire body and the need to conduct operations over time.
In medical practice, people often complain of dull, aching pain in case of a chronic form of gastritis. In this case, the patient is particularly experiencing pain in the left hypochondrium on an empty stomach or after eating. At him the appetite decreases, there is a fast fatigue.
Timely treatment and compliance with a certain diet helps to cope with the disease. If the disease is not a long period remains without the adoption of adequate therapeutic measures, serious pathological processes leading to oncology can develop.
In addition to these diseases, this type of pain is inherent in the following diseases:
- enteritis( inflammatory bowel disease);
- inflammation of the appendages;
- oncology of the pancreas or liver, spleen;
- oncology of the left lung;
- increase in spleen due to leukemia, anemia, infectious mononucleosis, rheumatoid arthritis.
In intestinal pathologies and gastric ulcer, pain usually occurs after eating or on an empty stomach, severe flatulence, bloating, sometimes vomiting with blood, or nausea. These manifestations can disturb at night.
In any of the listed cases, it is important to know that the earlier the medical examination is conducted on the causes of this type of pain, the better the treatment will be and the faster the recovery period.
Pain pulling
In the left part of the abdomen under the ribs is the spleen. This organ is difficult to feel, but it is his lesions that can be the cause of the trailing pain. Usually this is observed when it increases in size against a background of sluggish infectious( tuberculosis) and autoimmune processes( for example, lupus erythematosus).
Also, this kind of pain is observed in the case of hepatitis. With the long-term chronic form of chronic hepatitis, along with pulling constant or periodic pain and to the right( more often and more intensively), and to the left, symptoms such as a complication of fatty foods, a heaviness inside the stomach, an increase in liver size are observed in a person. In the absence of treatment - this can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
Pain piercing
Another type of pain that occurs in the area of the left hypochondrium, are stitching pains. They are usually associated with various diseases of the left kidney. Usually these are the following ailments:
- urolithiasis;
- pyelonephritis.
Pain sensations in this case appear in the back or side and can be transmitted to the hypochondrium. In this case, there is a general increase in body temperature, vomiting, nausea, frequent urge to urinate and his soreness, general weakness.
Very strong stitching pains can be associated with the presence of large stones in the organ or the beginning of their movement. In this case, it is necessary to carry out the operation.
With a not very pronounced nature of pain, conservative methods of treatment are used. However, in any case, you need to contact a specialist.
Pain pulsating
Such a dangerous disease as pancreatitis often causes pain in the left hypochondrium and their character is similar to a strong pulsation. Along with pain symptoms, bile vomiting, fever, diarrhea, bloating, chills, sweating, swelling on the limbs. The patient tries to find a comfortable pose that reduces pain. He leans forward or sits down.
This disease is very dangerous and can go into acute form when immediate medical attention is required.
Pain in women in the hypochondrium on the left
Women during different physiological processes( pregnancy, premenstrual period) may also experience pain in the zone of the left hypochondrium.
During pregnancy, especially in the 2nd -3 trimester, when the fetus is already large enough, its natural pressure on the internal maternal organs occurs. As a result, periodic pains appear.
If the woman's organism produces an increased amount of female sex hormones on the threshold of the onset of menstruation, which affect the bile ducts, causing their spasm. There may be feelings of pain under the right rib, extending to the left side of the abdomen, there is bitterness in the mouth and a feeling of nausea.
Consultation with a gynecologist in this case will help to choose the right measures to prevent such phenomena.
Painful sensations from heart and vascular diseases
With heart and vascular diseases, and in particular with vegetovascular dystonia and angina pectoris, pains in the left subcostal area also occur. In the case of dystonia, this is associated with a violation of the mechanism of maintaining the tone of blood vessels, and in the case of angina pectoris - heart pain is given to this area.
The nature of pain in these cases can be blunt, and stitching, and aching. Patients usually find it difficult to describe such phenomena, because they are both long and paroxysmal with fuzzy localization. During the research, typical diseases of organs located in this area of hypochondrium are not detected and the person is referred for examination to a cardiologist or neurologist.
Pain out of the connection with diseases
Sometimes, completely healthy people or children during active physical activities( sports, intensive work) experience pain in the left hypochondrium. Usually this happens when a person has a low level of preparation for these classes. The mechanism of this phenomenon is such that under the influence of the load, the blood circulation level of the organism sharply increases.
In response, all blood vessels increase in diameter, including the right hollow vein passing next to the liver, and beginners to press on it. As a result, pain appears on the right side of the stitching that is transmitted to the left hypochondrium. After a short time after the cessation of the effect, the pain reaction passes independently and does not require any therapeutic measures. Many schoolchildren are faced with such manifestations during the crosses or the delivery of sports standards.
Sometimes these painful sensations can appear even with sudden movements or inclinations of the trunk. This is due to the contact of the internal organs with the surface of the rib and, consequently, the protective reaction of the organism in the form of pain.
What to do with the appearance of pain, what measures to take?
If the diagnosis is not yet established and the pains are troubling, it is necessary to seek the help and advice of a therapist who will conduct the initial studies and determine the subsequent actions of the patient.
To which doctor should I apply?
Of course, every particular kind of pain requires a call to a specific specialist:
- surgeon;
- to the gastroenterologist;
- to endocrinologist;
- to the cardiologist;
- to the gynecologist;
- to the urologist.
When to call an ambulance?
There are cases that require and emergency medical treatment with hospitalization. In other words, when an emergency emergency call is required:
- First of all, these are acute, sudden pains.
- In the second turn - this aching character of pain for an hour.
- Thirdly, it's stitching pain for more than 30 minutes, appearing when moving.
- Fourthly - dull pain with nausea and vomiting of blood.
Any self-treatment measures for localization of pain in the left subcostal area, without establishing their diagnosis, are unacceptable, as they can aggravate the course of the disease and lead to complications. Under a special ban there is such a popular procedure among people as warming. Also, do not use spasmolytics before consulting a specialist. They are able to dull the pain and disrupt the clinical picture, as well as the symptoms of the disease.
The only thing that can be applied in case of such painful manifestations is application of cold on this area of ( ice or cold compress).
Doctors recommend, even with the rare occurrence of the above pains, to undergo examinations, which will be appointed by the therapist. This will help in a timely manner to identify a serious disease and stop its development.
Reviews and comments
Olga : "Everything is certainly right, really, where to find a good doctor? I have been dealing with the same sore for 2 years nowhere to find anything.10 days otlezhala and have written out, but to me that it became easier not, as hurted or was ill; was sick, and hurts. What to do, to whom I do not know, I drink ketorol, but the help is only for an hour. "
Valentine : "Strong pains in the left side under the rib in the supine position. Do not give sleep pokes, what can be? ".
Answer specialist - Eugenia Vladimirovna in response to a question Valentina : "Valentine, it's hard to say what bothers you. Address to the doctor the therapist, he at a palpation can something and will define or determine. If you do not find anything, consult a gastroenterologist, go through this type of examination as a colonoscopy. In any case, you can understand only after the survey. "
Marina : "Pain in the left side, lying on the back. Pain stitching, I can only lie on my side. What can it hurt? ".
Answer specialist - Evgenia Vladimirovna in response to a question Marina : "Marina, diagnoses on the Internet do not put, see a doctor, only on examination you can determine approximately the cause of the pain."
of Milan : "Hello! If you can help me, I will be grateful. I have a dull, obtrusive pain in the left hypochondrium. Since morning it is not. Appears after dinner, when I sit on a chair( sedentary work) and forget that I need to eat. As soon as we sing it does not immediately pass, but only after an hour. Very good pain relieves alcohol. What could it be. Lying position also helps, but at work there is nowhere to lie and there is no time. Help, who than can. I would appreciate that. Thank you in advance".
Irina : "Hello, I have a left hypochondrium for a month, sometimes I give it to the thoracic region, and sometimes to the right hypochondrium. She did ultrasound of the kidneys and the abdominal cavity, the kidneys were normal, but the spleen changed a little in size. In addition to this, colitis in the heart and in the right side also, breath was lost, exhale air faster than usual, much faster. With what it can be connected? I am 21 years old. I would like to know the cause of these ailments and what kind of doctor should I contact? Thank you in advance! "
- responded to a question of Irina :" Irina, contact the therapist to determine the cause of your illnesses, he will conduct an initial examination, appoint a consultation with another specialist if necessary. "
Natalia : "Pain in the left hypochondrium is permanent, intensifying in the afternoon to cramps. She was in therapy, had a colonoscopy, found a left-sided angulitis, and all were discharged. And it hurts all the same. In gastroenterology I ask for a follow-up examination, they say that you do not have anything to put in the tests( blood, urine) in the hospital. How to be. I feel like depression begins, there is no appetite and sometimes I feel sick. Was on consultation at the gastroenterologist, have appointed or nominated lineks and noshpu. All treated. "
- responds to the question of Natalia : "Natalia, you may have somatoform disorder - it is the presence of bothersome physical symptoms, despite the absence of abnormalities in an objective examination. In this case, prescribe the drug antidepressant Amitriptyline. Ask the therapist for advice on the appointment of this drug. "
Olga : "Good afternoon. Tell me, please, what can the left arm, slightly above the wrist and sometimes the fingers, dull the middle and nameless anymore? My heart is all right, I checked it, the only thing. The ECG showed overload of the right atrium, as far as I seriously do not know, since the therapist did not say anything about it. Analyzes are also normal, there is pain near the left scapula and spine, between them. Nagging pain. With sleep going on, something incomprehensible, I can not fall asleep at midnight, or even more. Addressed to the neurologist, to the therapist, any changes are not present. The therapist prescribes treatment, tenaten, milondonium, magnesium, but there are no improvements. The neurologist wrote out atarax, but also the result is zero. Help me please. What should I do? Yes, I'm still hypotonic, I suffer from low blood pressure. I await your response with impatience and very much hope for your help. Thank you".
Answer specialist - Eugenia Vladimirovna in response to a question Olga : "Olga your question is not relevant to the topic discussed in this article. Most likely, your fingers are numb, this is the reason for the neurological, so-called tunnel syndrome. Problems with sleep are solved by physical fatigue and lack of daytime sleep. You mainly have neurological problems related to changes in the bone tissue of the spine, pinching of nerves. You need to exercise daily, swim. "
Svetlana : "It hurts in the left hypochondrium only at night, for many years. Sometimes weaker, sometimes very strong. In the morning, the taste in your mouth is sour then bitter. Went on ultrasound, did not find anything. They say, perhaps, the bow of the gut and the gases accumulate in this place. But sometimes it hurts so much that I can not sleep, it makes me very sick. Now just an exacerbation. Maybe because I started using the hormone patch for menopause. "
Answer specialist - Eugenia Vladimirovna in response to a question Svetlana : "Svetlana, examined the pancreas? Pay attention to whether the pain is associated with the reception of any food? ".
Source: Editorial of the article by Dmitry Sergeevich Volkov, doctor of medical sciences, surgeon from http: //www.ayzdorov.ru/ lechenie_bol_v_levom_boky_podrebere.php
