Left subcostal pain

A sudden pain in the left hypochondrium can be a sign of many diseases.

Disorders of such organs as the heart, stomach, pancreas and spleen can often cause severe pain in the left hypochondrium and pain in the left side. The nature of the pain can be different: they can be sharp, dull, cutting. The functional activity of each of these organs could fail, causing painful sensations in the left hypochondrium. If such symptoms are present, first of all it is necessary to determine what is the cause of the pain: a pathology of the organ itself or its reaction to a systemic disease.

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Pain in the left hypochondrium with stomach diseases

The role of the stomach in the work of the digestive tract of the human body cannot be underestimated, because it is through the stomach that a person receives the necessary vital energy. The occurrence of pain in the left hypochondrium may just be the first symptom that signals the improper functioning of this organ. The most common stomach diseases that cause painful sensations are ulcers, gastritis, cancer and polyps. Overeating, constipation, alcohol abuse and injuries can also be a source of severe pain.

The nature of the pain depends on the degree of neglect of the stomach disease. For example, with gastritis, a person is usually tormented by a dull and burning pain that occurs during meals, if the acidity is higher than normal, or on an empty stomach, if the acidity level is low. Aching pain, nausea and the stomach's inability to accept food indicate a stomach ulcer. With such diseases, antacid drugs, no-shpa and a proper diet will help alleviate the patient's suffering.

Pain in the left hypochondrium can also be a consequence of gastric ulcer or stomach cancer, which are very serious illnesses that require medical intervention.

A diaphragmatic hernia, located in the upper left segment of the abdomen, can also cause painful symptoms in the left hypochondrium. The diaphragm separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities and has an opening through which the esophagus extends to the stomach. The muscles that hold the contours of the opening to the required size can be weakened, as a result of which the diameter of the opening increases, and the stomach falls out of the abdominal cavity into the thoracic cavity. Hemorrhage in the thoracic cavity, accompanying the process of the stomach moving from one area to another, causes pain in the left hypochondrium.

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Pain in the left hypochondrium with diseases of the spleen

The source of the pain syndrome in the hypochondrium could be the spleen, namely, any of its pathologies. This human organ is located very close to the surface of the body. The spleen is a kind of filter of the body, which not only cleanses the blood of bacteria and chemical "garbage", but also participates in the "creation" of new blood cells. Pathological changes in the functioning of the organ, its inflammation and ruptures often lead to serious diseases. One of the symptoms of a malfunction of the spleen is pain in the left hypochondrium, which can move towards the back. The occurrence of acute pain when inhaling indicates a rupture or injury to the spleen.

The spleen envelops the blood "balloon", breaks it down and sends the remains to the bone marrow, where new blood cells are formed. When any disease occurs, the spleen capsule increases in size, and this causes pain in the left hypochondrium.

The close location of the spleen to the surface of the body provides a high probability of organ rupture due to infectious mononucleosis or various injuries. Pathologies of the spleen make it soft, enlarged to large sizes. The walls of the organ are stretched, which, of course, increases the probability of rupture of this part of the body even with slight pressure on it. There are cases when the spleen ruptured on its own. A ruptured organ makes itself known by a bluish lesion around the navel (this indicates an accumulation of blood), as well as pain in the left hypochondrium and sensitivity when touching the area where the spleen is located.

With such symptoms, an endocrinologist will help make the correct diagnosis.

Ice applied to the left side will help relieve the pain.

Whatever factors become the source of pain in the left hypochondrium, you cannot tolerate it and test your willpower. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of the disease based on the tests the patient has taken and after a series of studies, so you should not postpone a visit to a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, or infectious disease specialist. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.

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Pain in the left hypochondrium in heart disease

The sources of pain in the left hypochondrium can be ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction. The heart performs the most important function in the body - it is a kind of motor that drives blood around the body around the clock. Any disruption in its proper functioning can lead to pain in the left hypochondrium, as well as other disorders in the circulatory system, up to and including death. Doctors note several main reasons why improper heart function causes corresponding pain.

• Cardiomyopathy. In this case, discomfort in the left side in the rib area, as well as increased fatigue and “irregular pulse” occur with heavy loads on the body as a whole.
• Myocardial infarction can cause pain in the left hypochondrium, and the pain can “flow” from the heart to the shoulder blades, left arm and neck. All this is accompanied by nausea, fever, chills, excessive sweating, and darkening of the eyes.
• Ischemic heart disease causes a dull, burning pain in the left hypochondrium and heaviness in the chest area, increased pulse rate, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

If any of the listed symptoms occur, you should contact a cardiologist as soon as possible.

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Pain in the left hypochondrium in diseases of the pancreas

The pancreas catalyzes all digestive processes in the body and is also an important organ involved in metabolism.

Diseases of the pancreas can be accompanied by symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, bloating, indigestion, nausea, pain in the left upper abdomen, etc.

Pancreatitis, cancer and other diseases of the pancreas can cause pain in the left hypochondrium. The most serious disease of the pancreas is pancreatitis - inflammation of this organ. Pain in the left hypochondrium, caused by pathologies of the pancreas, intensifies a couple of hours after a meal or at night, forcing the patient to wake up from painful torment. Since the organ is quite sensitive to the influence of external negative factors, such as excessively fatty foods, alcohol and foods high in sugar, treatment should be started immediately, otherwise the consequences can be very different: from diabetes to cancer. The nature of pain in diseases of the gland, in particular, in pancreatitis, is encircling, localized in the upper part of the abdominal cavity. In such situations, doctors recommend taking festal or panzinorm.

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