Pain in the left side of the lower back is an almost inevitable occurrence for each of us. Almost 60% of the adult population experience them at one time or another in their lives (by the way, left-sided pain is much more common than right-sided pain). The range of causes that cause this pain is very wide, so self-diagnosis in such cases is very risky, and the most reasonable option would be to consult a doctor.
This problem manifests itself in a very varied way - it can be a dull pain in the left side, or a constant aching pain, alternating with periods of active growth.
It can move down to the thigh and radiate to the leg. During an attack, some people note numbness and a feeling of cold in the leg, while others, on the contrary, describe hot flashes. In some cases, the pain can radiate to the shoulder blade and even affect the neck and arm.
The reason that can cause pain in the left side in the back of the lower back may be hypothermia and serious pathologies of the internal organs. And patients, by the way, are sometimes disappointed that it is quite difficult to clearly determine its nature, despite x-rays, blood tests and even more advanced imaging - CT or MRI.
There is no need to fall into despair in such cases, the reality is simply that lower back pain often has a whole range of causes.
A group of muscles and ligaments along the entire length of the spine provides support and promotes movement. Any injuries in them or severe tension can further cause pain in the left side in the back of the lower back.
This can happen as a result of a fall, or due to excessive bending or twisting while playing sports or lifting heavy objects. Obesity and poor physical fitness also play a sad role in this.
Many patients complain of pain in any movement, and this condition worsens when coughing, laughing and sneezing. In such cases, the doctor usually prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce pain.
If relief is not observed, or symptoms return after a while, the patient is prescribed a visit to physiotherapeutic procedures that can support the main treatment.
Constant pain in the left side of the back can also be caused by the presence of an intervertebral hernia.
Intervertebral discs are structures that provide shock absorption between the bones of our spine. Over time, they wear out, the bulges on them wear off, and in some cases, the intervertebral disc even ruptures. When this happens, the nucleus pulposus is forced out of its normal position, causing a hernia. It compresses the adjacent nerve and, as a result, causes severe pain.
If a disc in the lower back compresses the sciatic nerve, a condition occurs that is medically defined as sciatica. The pain in this disease is usually acute and sharp. It radiates to the gluteal region, the back of the thigh, down to the popliteal part of the leg, causing numbness in the limb. Most often this is severe one-sided pain, in which the patient cannot stand.
Treatment of a herniated disc comes down to the use of physiotherapy, special massage, acupuncture courses, and painkillers. If a person already has numbness in the limb, treatment may include corticosteroid injections.
The main goal of therapy in cases such as pain in the left side behind, which prevents the patient from returning to a normal state, is to improve blood supply and reduce the inflammatory process in the hernia area.
Surgical intervention is required only in cases where conservative treatment does not produce the expected results.
There are several other reasons that cause pain in the left side. The ribs and the area under them become painful in the case of cardiac pathologies, manifesting themselves in the form of angina pectoris, aortic aneurysm or pericarditis.
And when intercostal neuralgia appears, the patient experiences not only acute piercing pain that does not go away day or night, but also increased sweating, as well as redness of the skin. Any sudden movement, deep breath, sneezing or coughing causes increased pain.
This condition is caused by problems of the spine (including intervertebral hernia), injuries, intoxication of the body and various pathologies of the endocrine system. Neuralgia is treated depending on what causes it, and the main therapy comes down to strict bed rest and taking painkillers. As a rule, they are supplemented with anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants that relieve muscle spasms.
Left side back pain in the lower back can also be caused by a kidney infection called pyelonephritis. In most cases, it is a complication of infectious diseases of the bladder. But sometimes the kidneys become infected bypassing the bladder.
Regardless of how the infection occurred, the set of symptoms accompanying pyelonephritis is the same. In addition to lower back pain, it may be:
A kidney infection requires a mandatory visit to a specialist. Treatment is mainly with antibiotics, and hospitalization is required only in severe cases of the disease.
Sometimes (very rarely) pyelonephritis becomes chronic, which is usually the result of an underlying disease or anatomical pathology of the urinary tract. In this case, consultation with a surgeon is also necessary.
Kidney stones can also cause excruciating lower back pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin. It is accompanied by a feeling of constant urge to urinate, which is common for those who suffer from this disease, nausea, flatulence and vomiting. As a rule, blood appears in the urine caused by injury to the mucous membrane by a stone moving in the passages of the urinary tract.
Most often, this pathology is accompanied by a dull pain in the left side, which, if a stone blocks the ureter or renal pelvis, can intensify, even to the point of renal colic. Therefore, pain relief in the treatment of kidney stones is a priority. This often requires a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotic painkillers.
For small stones, the patient is advised to follow a diet and drink a lot of water, which can help them pass out of the kidneys, at the same time preventing the formation of new ones. Large stones do not come out on their own. In this case, medical procedures are aimed at helping them leave the kidneys.
A specialist doctor (urologist) will determine the appropriate course of treatment. This may include taking drugs that dissolve stones and removing them through the urethra using sound waves (lithotripsy). In particularly severe cases, open surgery is used.
Lower back pain also occurs when the spinal canal begins to narrow and thus encroaches on the spinal cord. This process occurs mainly in older people and is the result of a benign fat formation (lipoma), herniated disc, epiduritis (inflammation of the spinal membranes) or ankylosing spondylitis (deposits of calcium salts in the ligaments).
Common symptoms include left side back pain in the lower back, numbness of the extremities, general weakness, and limping due to pain radiating to the calf. In severe cases, they are accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the bladder and intestines (it is difficult for the patient to control the process of bowel movements).
The main treatment for stenosis is similar to the therapeutic actions for strangulated intervertebral hernia. Pain relief can be achieved with non-steroidal drugs, along with muscle relaxants and antidepressants. And physiotherapeutic procedures help maintain strength and mobility in the spine.
When conventional painkillers are ineffective, patients are given steroid injections, which can provide long-term relief for many, but sometimes surgery is required when the condition can be disabling. The surgical procedure in such cases is aimed at removing the pressure exerted on the spinal cord.
Pain in the lower left side has many causes, and only a doctor can find the best way to detect them. These may include ovarian cysts, fibroids and various tumors, as well as gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers or inflammation of the pancreas.
For example, if a patient has had an intestinal infection, he may experience inflammation of the large intestine, which is called colitis. Its main symptoms are:
Treatment of colitis involves following a special diet and drug therapy. Infectious colitis requires antibacterial and painkillers, and in severe cases, bed rest.
From the above, it is not difficult to conclude that constant pain in the left side behind may be a sign of a serious illness that is life-threatening. This means you should immediately consult a doctor, especially if the following symptoms appear along with back pain:
Any of these could be a sign of a life-threatening condition, such as a ruptured abdominal aorta, cancer, or severe infection. Do not risk your health and life, consult a doctor!
Painful reactions of the body from the back often become a symptom of disturbances in the functioning of any human organs and systems. When the left side of the back hurts, it is appropriate to say that in this case, pathologies of the internal organs that are nearby are most likely. However, this symptom is also present in diseases of the spine. Let's take a closer look at what could be causing pain in the side and how to reduce it.
There are many conditions under which back pain appears. First of all, the following factors should be excluded:
If none of these conditions exist, then chronic diseases of the organs and systems of the body in which this symptom is observed should be considered.
Often, back pain manifests itself as a malfunction of the cardiovascular system.
The left side of the back may hurt due to diseases of the respiratory system. They are characterized by an exacerbation of pain on inspiration and a decrease in its intensity on exhalation. For example, if a person is diagnosed with inflammation of the pleura, then during breathing he experiences a pain in the chest, which is also felt in the back from below (on the left - if the lesion is left-sided, and on the right - with right-sided pleurisy).
Pneumothorax is diagnosed if the left side of the back hurts, as well as the shoulder blade. Inflammation of the lungs is also characterized by intense or minor pain reactions not only in the chest, but also in the right or left side of the back. Additionally, the patient develops a cough, a fever, and wheezing in the lungs.
With bronchitis, the pain will most often be tolerable; it is accompanied by paroxysmal intense cough, spasms in the bronchi, and difficulty breathing.
Back pain on the left side is a symptom of tuberculosis. But it often appears and intensifies during a cough. A chest x-ray will help identify the disease.
Back pain on the left side can also occur in the case of malignant neoplasms in the bronchi and lungs. But these pains appear in the later stages of the disease, so it will not be possible to diagnose the problem using them at the initial stage.
In some situations, pain in the back on the side is caused by gastrointestinal diseases.
Gastroenterologist Julia Ron and surgeon Marat Khaikin and clinical nutritionist Adele Zusman will talk about inflammatory bowel diseases:
The urinary system is sensitive to cold, drafts and other negative conditions. This system is especially vulnerable in women due to the special structure of the body. But men should also be careful with these factors.
If the pain in the left side of the back does not subside for a long time, then it is likely that its cause is a violation of the functionality of the genitourinary area. It is concentrated in the lumbar region and can have a different character.
The occurrence of pain in the left back is caused by various pathologies of the skeletal and muscular systems. Favorable conditions for its appearance are insufficient and excessive physical activity, long stay in an uncomfortable position. If the pain syndrome is not associated with inflammation, then it goes away when the person rests.
Some diseases are characterized by back pain.
To determine why the lower left back hurts, doctors will recommend a comprehensive examination, which will include the following manipulations:
As mentioned earlier, persistent pain in the left back in some cases is a symptom of dangerous diseases. Therefore, you should immediately call doctors if, in addition to pain, a person notices:
Each of these signs can signal pathological changes in the body, including life-threatening ones.
There are many factors and causes that cause pain in the left side of the back. It is not always possible to accurately describe and classify them. Therefore, you should not try to diagnose yourself and start taking medications. In such a situation, it is wiser to consult a doctor.
Every person has felt pain in his left side at least once. It can be localized in different parts of the body. Very often it is typical for people who are over 40 years old, but it can also occur at a young age. It is considered a mistake when people want to remove pain with the help of various painkillers, but it only subsides for a while; it cannot be cured with the help of analgesics. That is why it is so important to find the true cause of pain and eliminate it with the help of an effective course of treatment. How can pain be cured?
If pain occurs in the left side, this already indicates some kind of organ disease. The abdomen has a clear arrangement of organs in its structure, which have a variety of tissues and structures. Therefore, the reasons vary.
Whatever the nature of the pain, you need to urgently pay attention to it; most often, of course, it is not caused by diseases of the gallbladder or stomach. Genitourinary system and intestines. In cases of blockage of some internal organs, sudden death can occur. If acute pain in the left side continues for more than two hours, it should already alert you.
Pain in the left side cannot appear on its own, but may be one of the symptoms and begins to bother the patient in many diseases:
1. For acute kidney disease and urolithiasis.
2. In case of spinal injury, spinal diseases, radiculitis in the lower back and sacrum, disc herniation, osteochondrosis.
3. If angina pectoris and myocardial infarction are atypical.
4. For pneumonia involving the pleura.
6. Tumor process.
7. Bearing the fetus.
Lower back pain can arise from many reasons, if the pain is caused by osteochondrosis, trauma, curvature of the spinal column; due to these reasons, the intervertebral disc is asymmetrically displaced, and the roots in the spinal nerve are pinched. Because of this, a very strong pain of a sharp nature appears, as if shooting through it, and intensifies when you start to move and change the position of your body.
With renal colic and urolithiasis, the pain is sharp, cramping in nature, which may be accompanied by vomiting and nausea. What causes them? Due to the blockage of the renal pelvis, the ureter interferes with urinary outflow. In this case, the kidney can enlarge, and the kidney capsule becomes very stretched. At the same time, the patient begins to be bothered by a nagging pain, which begins to radiate to the groin, to the left thigh.
1. Angina pectoris and myocardial infarction cannot always be expressed by pain behind the left chest. In cases of posterior phrenic myocardium, the process proceeds atypically, and pain may occur in the left side. At the same time, the pain is intense, and the fear of death arises.
2. The occurrence of pain in the left side due to chronic, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Especially for those diseases that require urgent surgery. In this case, local tension arises in the abdominal wall and in the lumbar muscles. If the disease is associated with liver disease, gall bladder, the pain is aching in nature, after eating junk food. That is, if the liver is on the right side, it is not always the right side that will hurt; the pain can also radiate to the left side.
3. Pneumonia and inflammatory process in which the pleura is involved. The diaphragm on the left begins to become irritated, causing pain. In this case, severe shortness of breath, cough and very high temperature appear.
4. Left-sided inflammation of the uterus also causes pain in the left side.
5. Disease of the spleen, this organ is located on the left. When the capsule begins to stretch, the organ begins to grow very strongly, thereby causing pain in the left side. When the spleen ruptures, a person cannot withstand the pain, it can result in death or shock. Pain in the left side may be accompanied by sensitivity in the upper left area, very severe pain in the abdomen, and the skin around the navel turns blue due to blood accumulating in the spleen area.
6. Due to a hernia of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a wide muscle, with its help the abdominal area is separated from the chest cavity. Most often, a hernia appears in older people.
7. Pain in the left side due to pregnancy, because a woman experiences changes in the anatomical organs and their functionality. In this case, the uterus begins to put pressure on the bladder, intestines, and spleen. The pressure inside also increases, the diaphragm rises higher, and the nerve fibers in the lumbar and sacral region begin to be irritated. Pain that begins to be accompanied by bloody discharge may indicate a miscarriage.
Laboratory and diagnostic tests will help determine the exact cause. Only the doctor decides what nature the research will be. If necessary, he can send you for a consultation with a surgeon, radiologist, gynecologist, traumatologist, or ultrasound specialist.
With the help of an extensive laboratory blood test, you can find out about inflammation, if the level of white blood cells increases, red blood cells are deposited at a high rate. To confirm or rule out inflammation in the kidneys, you need to take a urine test. To check the lungs, you will need to take an x-ray, and your spine may need one. If you suspect heart disease, you must undergo an electrocardiogram.
First, find out the reason why the pain appeared. It is best not to take any medications until examined by a doctor so that a more accurate diagnosis can be made. Most often, pain on the left side can be caused by a serious disease that requires surgery.
So, pain in the left side can be a symptom of many diseases, which is why it is so important to diagnose it in time and eliminate it so that complications of various kinds do not arise.
Menstruation is often accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen, which appears due to the release of an unfertilized egg along with the uterine mucosa from the body. Pain can occur not only in the genital area, but also in the mammary glands, lower back, some girls notice pain in the right hypochondrium. Why does my right side hurt before my period, and which doctor should I consult?
Moderate pain before menstruation is a physiological norm. During ovulation, the egg is released into the fallopian tubes, awaiting fertilization. If this does not happen, then the reproductive cell must be removed from the body along with the uterine mucosa, which has increased during the period of ovulation. Due to the separation of endometrial cells, blood vessels and nerve endings are damaged, resulting in painful sensations.
With primary dysmenorrhea - a pathology of the menstrual cycle, due to which a woman experiences very severe pain and weakness every month - bleeding may not be very active. In this case, increased discomfort is already a deviation from the norm.
Usually pain during menstruation begins on the 2-3rd day, the peak of pain occurs on the 3-4th day. If during ovulation the egg was fertilized, then menstruation does not occur and pain does not appear.
Normally, pain before and during menstruation should only be in the lower abdomen and lower back; in other cases, you need to think about the causes of discomfort. Some girls complain of moderate or severe pain in the right side, which has several causes.
The reason why the lower right side hurts may be diseases of the genital organs, because the reproductive system is located not only in the lower abdomen, but also higher, approximately to the navel. During menstruation, slight inflammation appears, so pain caused by existing pathologies intensifies.
Pregnancy is the process of bearing a child that develops from a fertilized egg. You can find out about its onset using a cheap and simple test that reacts to a specific hormone. Often girls limit themselves to this without undergoing an ultrasound examination. But it is the last analysis that will help determine whether the fetus is in the correct position.
The egg can implant not only in the uterus, but also in the fallopian tubes or ovaries, and then an ectopic pregnancy occurs.
With the pathological development of pregnancy, after 2-3 months a woman begins to experience pain in the right or left side, they have an aching, pulling or cutting nature, discomfort is possible in the lower abdomen and back. It occurs due to the fact that the fetus begins to stretch the thin fallopian tubes or ovaries.
It is impossible to carry a child to term during an ectopic pregnancy, because in this case the fallopian tube or ovary will be ruptured, the fetus will die, and the life of the mother will also be at risk. If a pregnant woman experiences pain in her side, she should consult a gynecologist and have an ultrasound done to rule out a pathological position of the fetus.
The ovaries are paired organs of the female reproductive system, which are extremely important for her health and the ability to give birth to a child. They secrete hormones, eggs, regulate the menstrual cycle, and are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
The body carefully “monitors” the health of the ovaries, sending blood enriched with oxygen and immune cells there, but sometimes diseases of these organs cannot be avoided. Various right-sided inflammatory processes can cause pain on the right side before menstruation.
Oophoritis and adnexitis are inflammatory processes that affect the ovaries and appendages, and are caused by the addition of a bacterial (staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli) or viral infection. Often pathogenic microorganisms cause inflammation due to prolonged exposure to low temperatures, low immunity or sudden weight loss.
With oophoritis or adnexitis, pain in the side is aching or cutting in nature; it intensifies before the onset of menstruation. The inflammatory process in the ovaries is accompanied by increased bleeding during menstruation, elevated temperature up to 38-39 degrees, weakness and nausea.
About a week to a week and a half before the start of menstruation, when a woman begins to ovulate, constant aching pain in her side may appear, and the cause will be a cyst or polycystic ovary syndrome. The cyst is formed due to the fact that the follicle inside the ovary does not fully open, the egg does not come out of it, and an inflammatory process begins there with the accumulation of pus or the appearance of a compaction. Polycystic disease is multiple formation of cysts in the ovary.
The cause of the appearance of cysts can be the following conditions:
Pain with cysts is aching in nature; it occurs due to the fact that hormones begin to influence the ovary so that it releases an egg during ovulation. The discomfort may not be severe, but it is constant and therefore unpleasant.
Apoplexy is an emergency condition accompanied by a violation of the integrity or rupture of the ovary. It occurs due to the following reasons:
With right-sided apoplexy, the pain in the side will be severe, cutting, constant, sometimes due to discomfort the woman bends her body and cannot straighten it. This condition is accompanied by a very high temperature, loss of consciousness, and if the woman is not taken to the hospital in time, death is possible due to blood loss.
Endometriosis is a pathological increase in the thickness of the uterine mucosa. With this disease, menstruation is more abundant, lasts longer (about 9-11 days), pain during menstruation is strong, and can radiate to the right or left side, the ovarian area.
With endometriosis, the side can become painful; the sensations will be aching and not very pronounced. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by weakness and low blood pressure.
Uterine fibroids are a benign neoplasm in the muscle tissue of the uterus, which appears due to hormonal imbalances or the use of local contraceptives, for example, the IUD. Due to the fact that the tumor begins to “push apart” the muscle cells, the nerve endings actively send signals of pain. It can be pulling or cutting, radiating down the abdomen, to the side or mammary glands.
The lower abdomen, chest and right side hurt more severely before menstruation, because then the endometrium of the uterus thickens, and the fibroids create even more pressure inside the muscle tissue.
The side hurts before menstruation not only because of gynecological abnormalities. Sometimes other factors cause discomfort: diseases of the abdominal organs or the use of intrauterine contraceptives.
The appendix is a small appendage that is considered a rudiment in humans. It was needed in the early stages of evolution, when animals ate mainly grass, and this small organ contained beneficial bacteria that helped digest cellulose.
Sometimes the appendix can become inflamed due to the proliferation of bacteria in it or mechanical damage to the appendix, in which case an emergency condition develops - appendicitis. The appearance of the inflammatory process may coincide with the onset of menstruation, so a woman runs the risk of mistaking appendicitis for normal menstrual pain.
If a severe cutting pain appears in the right side, due to which it is impossible to straighten the body, this condition is accompanied by nausea and high fever, you must immediately go to the hospital, because a ruptured appendix will be fatal for a person.
The right side also contains the liver and gall bladder, and inflammation of the latter - cholecystitis - can also be confused with menstrual pain.
Cholecystitis develops due to excess bile in the gallbladder or due to the formation of stones that prevent it from leaving. Inflammation develops quite slowly, at first it is accompanied by aching pain in the right side, which can be confused with menstrual pain. Over time, the inflammatory process intensifies, the temperature rises, the person cannot eat, and the pain is already cutting in nature.
Diverticulitis or inflammation of the intestines, as well as increased gas formation, can cause side pain before menstruation. During the premenstrual period, the abdominal cavity, breasts and legs swell, and fluid accumulates in their tissues. When the abdomen swells in a girl suffering from diverticulitis or flatulence, compression of the intestines by accumulated fluid causes a worsening of the symptoms of these diseases, stabbing or aching pain occurs, which can radiate to the right side or down the abdomen.
Sometimes the question of why pain appears in the right or left side below before menstruation is asked by women who have an intrauterine device installed. This device contains hormones that it gradually releases into the uterus, preventing pregnancy.
After physical injury, during active sexual intercourse, or when an intrauterine contraceptive device is installed incorrectly, the device can move out of place and “travel” through the uterus, fallopian tubes, and even the ovaries. This causes the woman severe sharp pain in the side where the spiral went. At the same time, in addition to discomfort, increased temperature and inflammation appear in the pelvic area, and pain is felt during sexual intercourse.
During an abortion or diagnostic curettage, the doctor can touch not only the uterine mucosa, but also the underlying smooth muscle tissue. If the wounds are deep, then scar tissue develops in their place, which will be inelastic and susceptible to inflammation, so before menstruation, cutting or aching pain in the lower abdomen may appear, radiating to the lower back or side. In this case, the discharge during menstruation will be more abundant than normal.
Pain in the side before or during menstruation is not normal, so they cannot be ignored for longer than 2-3 months, because if they are caused by diseases of the reproductive system or appendicitis, the girl’s health will be at risk.
The first thing you need to do if you have pain in the side is to contact a gynecologist who will conduct a medical history and a professional examination. If this doctor cannot find the causes of discomfort, then you need to visit a therapist and surgeon who will palpate the abdominal cavity to find the causes of pain, if they are not associated with diseases of the reproductive system.
Sometimes a routine examination by doctors does not yield results, so a more detailed diagnosis needs to be carried out. A gynecologist must have a vaginal smear analyzed, in which pathogenic microorganisms can be detected. They are the cause of inflammatory processes in the ovaries and appendages.
In addition to the smear, it is worth doing an ultrasound of the pelvic and abdominal organs. The images will clearly show many abnormalities in the condition of the organs, for example, inflammation, the appearance of scar tissue, enlargement of certain structures, and the deposition of stones in the gall bladder.
Treatment for side pain before menstruation depends on the cause of this phenomenon. If it is caused by diseases of the reproductive system, then it will be necessary to take a course of antibiotics or antiviral drugs (depending on the nature of the pathogen). When discomfort is caused by an intrauterine contraceptive, it must be urgently removed.
Self-medication in this case is unacceptable, because using heating pads to relieve pain will only worsen inflammation and flatulence. Many popular painkillers will not help relieve discomfort in this case.
Since there are many reasons for pain in the side before menstruation, it is difficult to describe all preventive measures, so the main ones will be the following:
Pain in the side before or during menstruation is not a physiological norm, so you cannot ignore it or try to cope with it on your own. It is necessary to visit a gynecologist, surgeon and therapist to find the cause of this deviation and receive the correct treatment.
If the left side of the back hurts, you should seriously think about the reasons that cause the discomfort: there are a lot of diseases with similar symptoms, including those affecting internal organs, so diagnosis and treatment must begin immediately after the first pain in the back is detected.
It is possible to determine why the left back hurts only after a medical diagnosis, which must be prescribed as soon as possible if the pain becomes regular.
Connivance towards one’s own health is fraught with the development of dangerous diseases and irreversible disorders in the functioning of systems and organs.
Before prescribing examinations, it is necessary to inform the doctor about the location of the pain: the lower back (or a lobe above/below its level), hypochondrium, along the spine.
Regularly occurring pain in the left side of the back is a reason to undergo a medical examination, since this indicator may indicate a disease of the spine.
Often the whole problem lies precisely in this: due to being in an uncomfortable position for a long time, lack of proper loads and existing curvatures, clamps are formed that create spasms. To accurately establish the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo an X-ray examination or an ultrasound scan.
If there are diseases and problems in the gastrointestinal tract, the left side of the back also hurts.
Unpleasant sensations concentrated in the lumbar region may mean that you will have to diagnose the digestive system for disorders. For example, with cholecystitis, aching pain spreads at the top (shoulder, scapula) along the right back side.
Significant discomfort in the left side of the back may mean problems with the pancreas, which should not be left to chance, since there is a high risk of the disease leading to the need for surgical intervention.
With exacerbation of pancreatitis, the pain has a girdling character, therefore it is felt in the back, and in the sides, and in front, localized at the bottom of the chest.
Back pain on the left is a reason to think about the state of the cardiovascular system.
If attacks occur during which breathing becomes difficult, burning and sharp pain allows you to only lie down, you need to seek the help of a doctor, as this is a characteristic sign of complex diseases (aortic aneurysm, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, compression of the thoracic spinal nerves).
People who are predisposed to heart disease and disorders of the vascular system should regularly check their health with a cardiologist and follow his recommendations (diet, medication, physical therapy or lack of exercise).
If your back hurts on the left (closer to the side), and these sensations do not go away for a long time, then the cause of this may be a disease of the urinary system. Diseases with similar symptoms: retroperitoneal hematoma, renal artery thrombosis, renal colic.
These disorders are indicated by periodic sharp or nagging pain, which subsides for a short time; however, a similar clinical picture is found in another, no less dangerous disease - urolithiasis. It is accompanied by pain in the left side in the back of the lower back, as well as severe discomfort during urination and blood in the urine.
Increasing pain in the back left under the ribs indicates a diseased respiratory system.
If pain in the left side of the back (close to the ribs) appears when inhaling, and short relief occurs after exhaling, it is important to undergo an examination (including fluorography) as soon as possible.
A similar symptom often accompanies diseases such as pneumonia, pleurisy, endobronchitis, pneumothorax, as well as tumors in the bronchial and pulmonary systems.
Pain on the left side, which is accompanied by shortness of breath and interferes with the normal functioning of the heart, is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
Regular pain in the lower left side of the back should be the reason for a comprehensive examination of the body for the presence of cancer. You should consult a doctor immediately after the first discomfort of a recurring nature appears, since it is easier to cleanse the body of a small number of cancer cells than to get rid of a severe stage with metastases that spread to vital organs and systems, including sections of the spine.
If the lumbar region on the left side of the back is sick, this may indicate the following disorders:
To accurately determine the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a number of studies and procedures to select further treatment.
Pain in the upper back on the left may indicate the following pathologies:
To diagnose diseases, a number of procedures are prescribed:
Lower back pain in the lower left side is a reason to check the body for the following problems:
When pain in the left side and lower back begins to radiate to the leg or ache when moving, the range of diseases and disorders is quite wide.
The back on the left side hurts or shoots when moving if there are:
Often, in the case of neuralgia, a spasm appears, radiating to the back (in the middle, upper or lower lobe), and also, during an attack, the spine or costal area suddenly hurts.
If the left side of the back hurts and the impulse goes to the thigh, then the root cause may be dangerous internal phenomena:
You need to pay attention to back pain: taking antispasmodics is not able to cope with the root cause of the disorders, but will only temporarily reduce pain symptoms, which may indicate dangerous disorders in the internal systems of the body.
If you notice recurring or regular discomfort in the middle, lower or upper left side of your back, you should immediately contact a specialist.
A nagging pain in the left side may be a signal of the development of pathologies of internal organs. The causes of an unpleasant syndrome of this nature are dozens of diseases. Let's look at the most common of them.
One of the reasons for the appearance of nagging pain in the left side may be pathologies associated with the pancreas. The most common organ diseases are:
The main symptom of these pathologies is severe pain and pulling in the left side. In addition, the patient may experience dyspeptic syndrome, which is manifested by increased bloating, colic, bowel dysfunction, and nausea. To this, in the absence of therapy, are added phenomena such as rapid heartbeat, general weakness, drowsiness, weight loss due to dehydration.
The reasons why the left side is pulled may also include the following diseases of the spleen:
With a splenic infarction, the patient experiences sharp and nagging pain in the left side and hypochondrium. As the disease develops, the pain may radiate to the lower abdomen and intensify with sudden movements or sighs. Against the background of these symptoms, an increase in temperature to 39 degrees is also observed. With such a serious pathology, surgical intervention is indicated.
Splenic volvulus is a twisting of the splenic veins, arteries, or even nerve bundles. The cause of the pathology is the physiological features of the structure of internal organs or injury to the organ. With this phenomenon, a sharp pain occurs from the left area, radiating to the groin. Vomiting, constipation, flatulence, and a sharp deterioration in health may also occur. With partial volvulus, the occurrence of pain is episodic, in particular during physical activity.
An organ abscess is caused by inflammatory and purulent processes in the spleen. Against the background of this pathology, peritonitis often occurs. Symptoms of the disease are: severe pain radiating to the left side and lower abdomen, increased body temperature up to 39 degrees.
A cyst on the spleen is the result of an abscess. Small cysts do not cause any discomfort, but a large capsule formed by connective tissue can cause pain in the left area when lifting heavy objects.
Oncological pathologies of the spleen are included in the list of reasons why there is periodic pulling in the left side. The first signs of the development of oncology of the hematopoietic organ are general weakness, increased sweating, and poor appetite. As the pathology progresses, pain appears in the left side, an increase in temperature, and an increase in the size of the spleen, which is detected by palpation of the organ.
Often, nagging pain in the side on the left side can indicate intestinal pathologies.
Pain syndrome localized on the left side in the lower abdomen may indicate the presence of the following disorders in the functioning of the digestive organ:
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the large intestine. The etiology of the pathology has not been clearly identified at this time. The main symptom of colitis is pain in the side on the left side, which radiates to the lower abdomen.
Crohn's disease is also an inflammatory process that simultaneously occurs in the stomach and intestines. The occurrence of direct pain in the left side provokes inflammation of the colon. In addition, the patient experiences general malaise, poor appetite, abnormal bowel movements, etc. All symptoms of the disease are quite specific and similar to other pathologies. They most closely resemble the manifestation of acute appendicitis.
The appearance of irritable bowel syndrome is most often associated with frequent stress. Middle-aged females are more susceptible to it. The period of exacerbation is observed before menstruation and other hormonal surges. The pain is most often localized on the left side, and increased gas formation and diarrhea are also observed. The syndrome can also occur after an emotional outburst or after eating food that irritates the intestinal mucosa.
Diverticulosis of the colon is the process of formation of pathological pouches on the walls of organs - the so-called diverticula. Such neoplasms disrupt intestinal motility and lead to the accumulation of waste products in the intestines. This in turn provokes fermentation and abundant accumulation of gases in the intestinal tract. The pain is localized in the left side, and flatulence, constipation and dark-colored stool are also observed.
Colon polyposis is a benign neoplasm. Against the background of the pathology, pain is observed on the left side, as well as loose stools, followed by constipation.
Atony of the colon is characteristic of older people. It can occur from prolonged and immobile lying during illness. The patient has dyspeptic syndrome, as well as nagging pain in the left side.
The first signs of the development of appendicitis are the appearance of a dull, nagging pain in the left side, which subsequently intensifies. The condition is also accompanied by nausea, dyspeptic syndrome and increased body temperature. In this case, immediate hospitalization is required.
The occurrence of nagging pain in the left side in the lower abdomen or lower back may indicate the development of the following pathologies:
Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process that develops in the kidneys. Pathology can affect either a completely paired organ or only part of it. Most often, the disease initially affects only one kidney. Nagging pain on the left side in the lumbar and abdominal area is one of the signs of pyelonephritis. But the main symptoms of the development of pathology are fever, temperature rise to 39, muscle aches.
Nephritis also refers to inflammatory processes that occur in the kidneys. Against this background, symptoms develop such as general weakness, the appearance of edema, and pain in the lower back on the side from which the pathology affected the organ.
Hydroureteronephrosis develops with urolithiasis or diverticulosis of the ureter. The pathology is characterized by sharp or dull pain localized in the lower back and lower abdomen.
Pain localized in the left hypochondrium may be a symptom of the development of heart or lung diseases.
Among the heart diseases that cause nagging pain on the left side in the hypochondrium are cardiac ischemia and cardiomyopathy.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is disrupted. Also, its characteristic symptoms are a burning sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, rapid pulse and a feeling of nausea.
Cardiomyopathy develops against the background of heart disease. A nagging pain in the left side and hypochondrium with this pathological process appears after physical exertion.
Pain of this nature often occurs during the development of pathologies of the respiratory system, such as pneumonia or pleurisy. They usually have a pulling character and only get worse when coughing or taking a deep breath.
One of the reasons for the development of nagging pain on the left side is intercostal neuralgia. The pathology is inflammation and irritation of the intercostal nerves. Another characteristic symptom of the pathology is partial or complete loss of sensitivity of the skin in the affected area.
Studies of the abdominal region, which include the following manipulations, will help determine the etiology of nagging pain in the left side:
To clarify the diagnosis, you may need to consult specialists such as a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, therapist, neurologist and nephrologist. In any case, if you experience constant nagging pain, which is accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately contact a medical facility.