Do you feel uneasy or discomfort in your left side of your stomach? There are others in the same situation as you. Many people have felt pain in their left stomach at some stage in their lives. The pain from exercise can be very mild or quite severe and continuous. Since the reason for pain in the left side of my stomach could be mild, moderate, or even serious, finding out what happens in your body helps choose the proper treatment.
This article looks into the most frequent reasons behind left side stomach pain, their associated symptoms and treatments for each. I’ll also explain when you should visit a health professional for similar discomfort.
What Leads to Pain in the Left Side of My Stomach?
Pain in the left side of the stomach can have different causes and each one has special symptoms. Below, we will discuss some frequent causes of this problem:
Problems Caused by Gas and Bloating
In numerous cases, gas inside the intestines results in left side stomach pain. Having too many burps could mean you will feel unwell, unsure and even have some pains. People with irritable bowel syndrome and those who consume foods that don’t agree with them tend to get more pain in the abdomen.
Why does my left side hurt after eating? It might be caused by the way your body handles the nutrients in food. Stomach pain at the left side that happens after meals is often related to digestive problems or problems with certain foods.
Constipation
Left side stomach ache is likely to be caused by constipation. When there is a delay in bowel movements, it might bring on pain that appears on the left side of the stomach. In most cases, uncomfortable feelings ease after making a bowel movement.
If you feel pain on your left side and have skipped a bowel movement for a while, this could be constipation.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis develops when tiny sacs located on the colon become swollen or infected. It most often leads to pain in the left side of the stomach and, in some cases, it causes fever, makes people feel sick and alters their bowel habits. You should promptly see a doctor if you think you may have diverticulitis to prevent further difficulties.
Kidney Problems
The left kidney can be found at the back of your body, located under the ribs. A person could feel left side stomach pain if they have a kidney infection, kidney stones or other types of kidney diseases. Most often, these pains are very intense and move to the back or the side areas.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you have pain in the left side of your stomach, together with painful urination, fever, or blood in your urine.
Ovarian Cysts (For Women)
Ovarian cysts are among the possible causes women’s abdominal pain left side. They are sacs that form in the ovaries and contain fluid. Even without pain, an enlarged cyst on the left side may lead to serious discomfort in the abdomen.
Sometimes, this pain feels very noticeable and comes fast, but in other cases, it may feel less noticeable and last a shorter spell, based on how big and what kind of cyst it is. In case you experience nausea or your period is irregular, it would be wise to visit a gynecologist.
Pancreatitis
When the pancreas, which is behind the stomach, starts to swell, it is known as pancreatitis. People experiencing pancreatitis usually complain about left upper abdominal pain. When the inflammation gets worse, the level of discomfort in the back may rise. Drinking lots of alcohol or having gallstones can lead to a higher risk of getting pancreatitis.
Heart Problems
In some instances, near heart pain in the left side of the stomach can point to heart problems, if a person suffers from heart disease. Symptoms of heart attack can be felt below your heart or they might move to the upper left side of your stomach. Whenever this type of pain is accompanied by dizziness or difficulty breathing, you should see your doctor fast.
The Signs That Come With Left Side Stomach Pain
The type of symptoms of left side stomach pain relies on the reason behind the pain. These are the main indicators that can help you spot the problem:
Sharp or Dull Pain
People may experience different intensities and feelings of pain due to a cough. If there is sharp pain on the left side, it may indicate kidney stones or an ovarian cyst, while constant and dull pain may signal gas or difficulty passing stools.
Feeling Stuffed
If you have gas and bloating along with stomach pain, it usually means there is a stomach problem. Many people who have an IBS complaint of bloating. The pain related to IBS usually feels crampy and might cause bloating which makes it harder to tolerate.
Nausea and Vomiting
If there is severe pain on the left side of the abdomen due to pancreatitis or similar disorders, it is common for a person to experience nausea and even vomit. This shows that prompt medical care may be needed for the patient.
Changes in the Bowel Movements
When there is diarrhea or constipation together with your left-sided pain, you may be dealing with digestive conditions. Looking at your bowel movements and stool consistency helps you discover the cause.
Pain During Urination or Fever.
Having painful urination and fever can be related to a kidney or urinary tract infection. Most of the time, kidney pain is a deep feeling in the lower left part of the abdomen or back.
How Left Side Stomach Pain Is Treated
Depending on the root cause, there are several ways to treat left-side stomach pain. Some typical ways to treat this disease are:
In Cases of Mild Pain (Gas or Constipation)
- Hydration: Take plenty of water to lessen the signs of constipation and gas.
- Eating More Fiber: Your bowel movements can be regularized and bloating decreased by eating more fiber.
- Medication: Anti-gas medications or stool softeners bought from the pharmacy can ease any discomfort from digestion problems.
In the Case of More Serious Problems (Diverticulitis, Pancreatitis, for Instance)
- A doctor may suggest taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications or a variety of medicines usually prescribed for these two conditions.
- Sometimes, surgeons may perform surgery to treat ruptured ovarian cysts, severe diverticulitis and other serious health problems.
- If someone has pancreatitis, they may sometimes need to be hospitalized so they can receive careful attention and care.
In which situations should I call the Doctor?
You should know the signs that mean you should see a doctor quickly about the pain in the left side of your stomach. You should ask for support if you see any of these symptoms.
- Unrelenting, serious pain that never disappears
- Feeling pain and also experiencing fever, throwing up, or difficulty breathing
- Having blood inside the stool or vomit
- When your pain moves to the chest or shoulder, it could mean there is an issue with the heart.
- A feeling of dizziness or difficulty breathing
Conclusion
Gas, constipation, pancreatitis or kidney infections may be the culprit for pain on the left side of the stomach. If nothing else, when you spot symptoms of disease, the sooner you get treated by an expert, the better. If the pain persists or gets worse, be sure to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you know what’s causing your symptoms, the less time you’ll have treating them, and the better off you’ll be in life. For more information, visit Caimlu.