Causes of pain in the left side under the ribs
The human body is a kind of mechanism, all problems in which one day will certainly make themselves felt. Naturally, momentary pain that no longer recurs is not a cause for concern, but when it becomes chronic, it can be regarded as an alarm signal. So, if the left side under the ribs periodically hurts, this may indicate the presence of a serious illness. It should be noted that these symptoms do not always mean a heart problem, as is commonly believed. In order to more accurately determine the emerging or already existing disease, it is necessary to analyze where the center of pain is located and how it manifests itself. And, of course, you must immediately be examined by a specialist.
Why does it hurt under the left rib: the main reasons
As mentioned above, the left side hurts under the ribs for a variety of reasons. Often this symptom signals heart disease. As a rule, this is a myocardial infarction, when pain occurs clearly on the left side and is given to the front. However, this pain can also be a manifestation of one of the following diseases:
- Enlargement or rupture of the spleen;
- Diseases of the stomach (ulcer, gastritis, dyspepsia, etc.);
- Pancreatic disease (pancreatitis);
- Lung diseases (pneumonia, inflammation, cancer, etc.);
- Urolithiasis disease;
- Endocrine system diseases;
- Nervous system problems;
- Diaphragmatic hernia;
- Vertebral osteochondrosis.
To understand why it hurts under the left rib, it is also necessary to consider the frequency of pain and the accompanying symptoms. For example, a ruptured spleen is evidenced by subcutaneous hemorrhages in the navel and bruises under the eyes. With gastric diseases, pain in the left rib area usually occurs after eating. Diseases of the pancreas are usually accompanied by nausea and stool disorder. With such an ailment, the left side hurts under the ribs most often after taking fatty or spicy foods and carbonated drinks.
No less common causes of similar pain in women are inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system, less often - ectopic pregnancy.
Aching pain under the left rib: causes
A very common cause of aching pain under the left rib can be called gastritis or stomach ulcers. With these diseases, there is also a sharp decrease in appetite, rather frequent vomiting, which brings relief, sour or bitter belching, and sometimes diarrhea.
It is worth noting that gastritis often provokes the occurrence of such a terrible disease as stomach cancer. This is another illness that can be signaled by a dull pain in the left side. The accompanying symptoms are:
- Violation of performance;
- Great weakness of the body as a whole;
- Dramatic weight loss;
- Yellowness of the face and eye whites;
- An unreasonable need for a change in diet (for example, an unexplained aversion to certain foods).
Aching pain under the left rib can also be a sign of pancreatic diseases, which are characterized by nausea, vomiting and a sudden increase in body temperature.
Sharp pain under the left rib: causes
This symptom often indicates the presence of a disease such as a stomach or duodenal ulcer. In this case, a sharp pain under the left rib passes into the lumbar region and is so severe that a person has to press his stomach against some hard object. In addition, painful sensations are accompanied by headaches, heartburn, vomiting, constipation, general weakness, and often increased irritability. Physical activity or nervous breakdowns can aggravate pain.
A sharp stabbing pain under the left rib, triggered by inhalation or a coughing fit, may indicate a disease of the left side of the diaphragm or a serious pulmonary disease (inflammation of the left lung, left-sided pneumonia, tuberculosis, or even lung cancer). Additional signs in this case may be:
- Fever;
- Heat;
- Dyspnea;
- Intoxication of the body;
- Bluish tint of the nasolabial triangle.
In addition, a sharp pain under the left rib, which subsides when the patient freezes in one position, is very characteristic of heart disease. Also, do not forget that such a syndrome can be directly related to a crack or fracture of the rib bones. In such a situation, the pain is exacerbated by breathing, coughing and even the lightest movements.
Pain under the left rib in the back
As a rule, pain in the region of the left rib in the back occurs due to renal diseases, and more specifically, diseases of the left kidney. If the pain is sharp and unbearable, then most likely it is a sign of renal colic. If the discomfort does not manifest itself in the form of sudden attacks and is more like a dull aching pain, then we can assume that the reason is inflammation or enlargement of the organ.
The second common diagnosis for pain under the left rib in the back is such a frequent disease as vertebral osteochondrosis. With such a disease, mild aching pain may occur, for example, in the morning after sleep or after a long stay in an uncomfortable position. Also, osteochondrosis can make itself felt through sharp piercing pains that subside only after the patient freezes in a specific position of the body.
Treatment of pain under the left rib
If the left side under the ribs hurts badly, medication can help alleviate the pain. No-shpu should be taken no more than 2 tablets daily, nitroglycerin - 1 tablet under the tongue or 3 drops per piece of refined sugar. However, it should be remembered that pain in the left rib area is a rather dangerous symptom, which often leads to the identification of a complex disease that requires immediate surgical intervention. Therefore, when observing such a painful sensation, you should immediately consult a doctor.
If the diagnosis has already been established, you can combine drug treatment with traditional medicine recipes. For example, with diseases of the spleen, when the left side hurts under the ribs, rosehip decoction helps well. For the treatment of stomach or duodenal ulcers, take a powder from lemongrass seeds: 1 g 3 times daily before meals. Tincture of birch buds, motherwort or hawthorn helps to prevent pain in heart disease. It is recommended to purchase herbs exclusively in pharmacies and with a prescription.
In fact, pain under the left rib may be a signal of an illness that requires immediate treatment. Therefore, this symptom should not be ignored in any case. To avoid undesirable consequences, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination every year and adhere to the doctor's instructions. If the pain was taken by surprise and became chronic, you should immediately contact a specialist and find out why the left side hurts under the ribs. After all, timely diagnosis always contributes to the most effective treatment.
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