Pain in the left hypochondrium is very common, since it is a symptom of many diseases.
To determine what kind of disease signals pain in the area of the left hypochondrium, first you need to diagnose character of painful sensations, as the pain can be of several kinds, for example, blunt, cutting, stitching and aching.
Thus, with the correct statement of the nature of pain and accompanying symptoms, you can find out which body needs medical diagnosis and further treatment.
Causes of pain in the area of the left hypochondrium
The causes of pain in the left hypochondrium are manifold. In this area are the following vital organs: heart, spleen, pancreas, stomach, intestinal loops, diaphragm. Any disruptions in their work provoke uncomfortable sensations under the ribs to the left.
And so, what can it be? Herethe main causes of pain in the hypochondrium on the left:
- diseases of the spleen;
- pathology of the left kidney;
- diseases of the stomach, most often - ulcer, gastritis;
- pancreatic disease - pancreatitis;
- diseases of the small and large intestine.
In more rare cases, pain in this area can be caused by:
- inflammatory processes of the diaphragm, her hernias and tumors;
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar, and thoracic spine;
- inflammatory processes in the appendages to the left in women (adnexitis, etc.);
- postoperative and post-traumatic consequences (hematomas, cuts, seams, etc.);
- heart diseases, in particular angina pectoris, heart attack, ischemic disease;
- pneumonia of the left lung;
- strong physical activity.
Each of these causes can pose a potential threat to human life. Therefore, for their timely removal and treatment requires an immediate appeal to the doctor.
Dull pain in the left hypochondrium
It starts to bother when a slow-onset chronic illness occurs, most often because of problems with the digestive tract, such as:
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis;
- gastritis.
It is quite difficult to establish a diagnosis, so it is necessary to undergo a series of studies and to pass the necessary tests.
Sharp and sharp pain
Such pain is typical for serious injuries of internal organs. If the appearance of pain was preceded by strokes or bruises on the left side of the body, then it is possible to assume such injuries as fractures of the ribs, rupture of either the spleen hematoma, rupture of the kidney or ligaments of the kidney.
If the pain sensations appeared without the influence of external traumatic factors, then it is possible to diagnose renal colic, perforated stomach ulcer, acute pancreatitis, intestinal perforation, impaired renal cyst.
After the load
After exercise, pain should not become a reason for panic, since it is the companion of almost every healthy person. It is associated with inadequate training and warm-up.
Circulation is too fast and the body can not adapt to it. Also, insufficient breathing may be the cause. Frequent superficial breathing is too straining the diaphragm and this causes pain in the hypochondrium behind.
Pain in the left hypochondrium in front
What could it be? If such pain is localized under the ribs from the front, this indicates rather a disease of the spleen or damage to the stomach tissues. In these cases, a differential diagnosis is performed with myocardial infarction, colitis of the upper intestinal loops, myositis.
If the pain is displaced more towards the center, a combination of stomach disease with diseases of the gallbladder and duodenum is possible.
Pain in the left upper quadrant behind the back
Almost always pain in the left hypochondrium giving in the back is associated with such a disease as chronic or acute pyelonephritis of the left kidney, which arises from the infection.
For urolithiasis, there is a lack of pain in a state of rest, but with the stones moving, them into the ureter, there is an attack of intolerant, sharp pain localized, as a rule, in the left hypochondrium behind.
Intercostal neuralgia
This disease is associated with irritation or squeezing of the intercostal nerves. Patients complain of piercing, sweeping pain in the chest area and under the ribs. The nature of pain can change: from acute they go to the aching, from the burning - into the dull.
Intercostal neuralgia also leads to pain under the shoulder blades or in the lower back. They are long-lasting and appear regardless of the time of day.
Pathologies of the stomach
With gastritis, there is dull pain in the left hypochondrium and epigastric region, a feeling of raspiraniya, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, a decrease in appetite.
With peptic ulcer of the stomach, there is a defect in its mucous membrane. The disease has an undulating course with alternating exacerbations and remissions. Patients are troubled by the bursting pain in the left hypochondrium, which occurs after eating, nausea, vomiting, belching sour, heartburn.
Diseases of the pancreas
Pancreatitis, cancer and other pancreatic diseases can be accompanied by symptoms such as lack of appetite, vomiting, bloating, upset digestion, nausea, pain in the upper left side of the abdomen, etc.
Pain in the left hypochondrium caused by pathologies of the pancreas intensifies a couple of hours after eating or at night, causing the patient to wake up from painful anguish.
Kidney inflammation
Pain in the left hypochondrium behind most likely appears with inflammation of the kidneys. Such a disease is called pyelonephritis and can occur both in acute form and in chronic. It occurs because of getting into the kidneys of different kinds of infection. To make an accurate diagnosis you need to see a doctor, but there is a method of self-diagnosis, which allows you to put a preliminary diagnosis.
It should not be easy to tap the edge of the palm on the back under the bottom edge. If there really is an inflammatory process in the kidneys, there is an increase and spread of pain, nausea.
Diseases of the spleen
If you consider the causes of the appearance of pain of this type, to one of the most common are diseases of the spleen. In such diseases, the spleen may increase in size until it ruptures, so it is extremely important to contact the doctor in a timely manner and begin treatment.
The cause of the rupture of this organ can be other problems - inflammation, spleen infarction or infectious mononucleosis.
Heart pathology
Ischemic disease leads to pain in the left side and frequent dyspnea, manifested regardless of whether the person is at rest or physically active. Pain and shortness of breath, as a rule, combine with a burning sensation and heaviness in the chest, palpitations and nausea.
The same pain can cause and cardiomyopathy - several diseases that lead to a violation of the function of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy provokes structural changes in the heart muscle, causing pain in the left side that occurs with physical activity, and rapid fatigue.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Left-sided bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy are also accompanied by the appearance of blunt pains that increase with coughing, breathing, or changes in body position.
Diagnosis of respiratory diseases is easy enough for other characteristic signs: increased body temperature, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and so on.
Treatment
Treatment should begin with examination and establishing an accurate clinical diagnosis. Only after establishing the cause, you can proceed to eliminate it.
All of the above diseases, which cause pain in the left hypochondrium require specialist advice. This is associated with a risk of complications, which can lead to the most severe consequences.
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