When should I worry about left side pain? – Generally, intermittent left side pain is a sign of gas or indigestion and should pass on its own. But if you notice severe abdominal pain on the left side of your body in conjunction with any of the following symptoms, it’s time to call the doctor:
Fever Nausea or vomiting Cold or clammy skin Rapid breathing Dizzy or lightheadedness Muscle weakness Bloody stools or vomit Abdominal pain that lasts more than a week
Contents
Why would my left side be hurting?
Pain that lingers or recurs on one or both sides is the body’s way of signaling an underlying problem. Some common causes of pain on the left side of the body include infection and injury to internal organs, muscles, or nerves. In some cases, this pain resolves on its own.
What organ would make your left side hurt?
What kind of doctor should I see for left rib pain? – There are many possible causes of pain around your left rib cage. A primary care doctor can usually help you determine the cause. If needed, they can refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor who treats bones, muscles, and joints.
Why is my left side hurting under my ribs?
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes. There are several important organs in this area, including the: spleen kidney pancreas stomach colon lung.
spleen kidney pancreas stomach colon lung
Although the heart isn’t in the upper left abdomen, it can refer pain to the area. Some of the causes of pain in the upper left abdomen may be treated at home, but others can be life threatening. So it’s important to contact your doctor if your pain is unexplained, persistent, or severe — even if you don’t think it’s serious.
What does pancreatic pain feel like?
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis? –
Pancreatitis symptoms vary, depending on the type of condition: Acute pancreatitis symptoms If you have acute pancreatitis, you may experience:
Moderate to severe upper that may spread to your back. Pain that comes on suddenly or builds up over a few days. Pain that worsens when eating. Swollen, tender abdomen., Faster than usual heart rate.
Chronic pancreatitis symptoms Chronic pancreatitis may cause some of the same symptoms as acute pancreatitis. You may also develop:
Constant, sometimes disabling pain that spreads to your back. Unexplained weight loss. Foamy diarrhea with visible oil droplets (). Diabetes (high blood sugar), if insulin-producing pancreas cells are damaged.
Your provider may suspect pancreatitis based on your symptoms or risk factors, such as heavy alcohol use or gallstone disease. To confirm diagnosis, you may go through additional tests. Diagnosing acute pancreatitis For acute pancreatitis, your provider may order a blood test that measures the levels of two digestive enzymes (amylase and lipase) produced by the pancreas.
Secretin This test checks for your pancreas’s response to a hormone (secretin) released by the small intestine. Secretin usually triggers the pancreas to release a digestive juice. A medical professional passes a tube from your throat, through your stomach, into the upper part of the small intestine to insert secretin and measure the response. Oral glucose tolerance test: You may need this test if your provider suspects that pancreatitis has damaged your insulin-producing pancreas cells. It measures how your body handles sugar with a blood test before and after you drink a sugary liquid. Stool test: Your provider may order a stool test using a sample of your stool to see if your body is having difficulty breaking down fat. (endosonography): An internal (endoscopic) ultrasound takes clearer pictures of your pancreas and connecting ducts (tubes). A healthcare professional inserts a thin tube with a tiny ultrasound attachment into your throat, through your stomach and into your small intestine. The endoscopic ultrasound takes detailed pictures of your internal organs including pancreas, part of liver, gall bladder and bile duct. (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography): A tube with a tiny camera is passed from your throat to your stomach and into your small intestine up to the area called the ampulla, where the pancreas and bile duct opens. Dye is injected into the pancreas duct and /or bile duct. The test lets your provider see inside the pancreas and bile duct. Anything blocking the pancreas or bile duct, such as a gallstone or pancreas stone, may be removed.
If you have pancreatitis, your primary care provider will probably refer you to a specialist. A doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist) should oversee your care. Doctors use one or more of these methods to treat acute pancreatitis:
Hospitalization with supportive care and monitoring. Pain medication to provide comfort. Endoscopic procedure or surgery to remove a gallstone, other blockage or damaged part of the pancreas. Supplemental pancreatic enzymes and insulin, if your pancreas isn’t functioning well.
Procedures used to treat pancreatitis Most pancreatitis complications like pancreatic pseudocyst (type of inflammatory cyst) or infected pancreas tissue are managed through endoscopic procedure (inserting a tube down your throat until it reaches your small intestine, which is next to your pancreas).
Gallstones and pancreas stones are removed with an endoscopic procedure. If surgery is recommended, surgeons can often perform a procedure. This surgical technique involves smaller cuts that take less time to heal. During laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon inserts a laparoscope (an instrument with a tiny camera and light) into keyhole-sized cuts in your abdomen.
The laparoscope sends images of your organs to a monitor to help guide the surgeon during the procedure. The best way to prevent pancreatitis is to have a healthy lifestyle. Aim to:
Maintain a healthy weight. Get regular exercise. Stop smoking. Avoid alcohol.
These healthy lifestyle choices will also help you avoid gallstones, which cause 40% of acute pancreatitis cases. Your provider may recommend removing your gallbladder if you have painful gallstones multiple times. Typically, acute pancreatitis lasts only a few days.
What organ is located beneath your left rib cage?
Overview – Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn’t cause symptoms.
Can gallbladder cause left side pain under ribs?
Atypical Symptoms of Gallbladder Pain – “Atypical” symptoms of gallbladder pain may be only 15%, but we see them fairly often just due to the high number of people who have gallbladder problems. One of the most frequent atypical symptoms is actually to have no pain whatsoever, but nausea, or nausea and vomiting, alone.
Chest pain, especially on the right lower side of the chest, frequently occurs, often with other, more typical symptoms of gallbladder pain, Another atypical symptom is to have loose stool (sometimes explosive) after eating, but not necessarily associated with pain which can be due to gallbladder dysfunction.
Left sided abdominal pain, usually just below the left rib cage does occur due to a bad gallbladder in some patients and this particular location can be the most difficult to diagnose as a bad gallbladder. Many of these patients undergo un-needed testing such as CT scans, upper and lower endoscopies (upper scope and colonoscope testing) as providers do not consider the gallbladder as a possible source of the left sided abdominal pain since the gallbladder is situated on the right side and most often causes symptoms there.
Is it my ribs or spleen that hurts?
Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.
What can be mistaken for pancreatitis?
Diagnosing acute pancreatitis – Typical acute pancreatitis is usually easy to recognize:
pain is located in a specific area onset of pain is sudden degree of pain is such that a person seeks immediate medical assistance an increased number of white blood cells in the blood stream (which is normal with all types of inflammation) markedly elevated levels of amylase and sometimes lipase —two enzymes produced by the pancreas— can be found in the blood stream
Normal levels of amylase and lipase do not completely rule out pancreatitis, especially when the pancreas has been damaged beforehand (and therefore cannot produce much amylase or lipase). A couple of acute abdominal conditions that can mimic pancreatitis include:
impacted gallstones (biliary colic) gastric perforation or duodenal ulcer
More rarely, a similar clinical presentation can result from sudden loss of the blood supply to the intestines (intestinal ischemia).
How can you test for pancreatitis at home?
Frequently Asked Questions –
Can you test for pancreatitis at home? No, you cannot test for pancreatitis at home. While there are rapid urine tests available that don’t require any lab processing, these must be performed by a healthcare provider. What causes pancreatitis attacks? The main cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones. For chronic pancreatitis, the main cause is heavy, daily alcohol use. This is defined as drinking four to five alcoholic beverages a day. Binge drinking is a rare cause of pancreatitis. How can I prevent another pancreatic attack? Don’t drink any alcohol. Limit the amount of caffeine you consume. When you can eat, follow a low-fat diet. Avoid greasy, fried, and processed foods like hot dogs and bacon. Watch your weight and exercise daily. Can you cure pancreatitis on your own? Acute pancreatitis requires treatment in a hospital setting, and you should never try to treat acute pancreatitis at home. There is no cure for chronic pancreatitis, but certain home treatments can help you manage symptoms and prevent-flare ups. This includes eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding alcohol. Do antacids help pancreatitis pain? Antacids are not recommended for treated pancreatitis pain. Some research even shows that using antacids may trigger acute pancreatitis in some people. If you are considering using antacids (or any other over-the-counter medication) for your pancreatitis pain, consult with your healthcare provider first.
What does a ruptured spleen feel like?
Symptoms – Signs and symptoms of a ruptured spleen include:
- Pain in the upper left abdomen
- Tenderness when you touch the upper left abdomen
- Left shoulder pain
- Confusion, lightheadedness or dizziness
What would cause your spleen to hurt?
An enlarged spleen – The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury. It can also become enlarged as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis, An enlarged spleen does not always cause symptoms. Otherwise, look out for:
feeling full very quickly after eating (an enlarged spleen can press on the stomach)feeling discomfort or pain behind your left ribs anaemia and fatiguefrequent infectionseasy bleeding
Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. A blood test, CT scan or MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis. The spleen is not usually removed if it’s just enlarged. Instead, you’ll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored.
What are the symptoms of a ruptured spleen?
Symptoms of a ruptured spleen can include left-side abdominal pain, referred left shoulder pain, lightheadedness, confusion, dizziness, and blurred vision. Some individuals may also experience hemorrhagic shock as a result of massive blood loss. A ruptured spleen can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Can you get pain on your left side from gallstones?
Pain may also radiate to the back or occur under the shoulder blades, behind the breastbone, or on the left side.
Can pancreatic pain be felt on the left side?
The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The pain: May be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, more commonly if foods have a high fat content. Becomes constant and more severe, lasting for several days.
Why does my left side hurt if I have gallstones?
What else it could be? – If the pain is moderate and accompanied by gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting, it could be food poisoning or a stomach bug. However, patients with gallbladder problems also may have these symptoms. Therefore, if symptoms persist, a visit to your doctor is the first step to finding out.
- Pain that radiates around the back can be suggestive of gallbladder problems or kidney function issues.
- This could also be indicative of a muscular issue.
- Persistent or severe abdominal pain should always be checked by a qualified physician.
- Pain radiating to the left side of the abdomen can be a symptom of pancreatitis – an infection in the pancreas.
Gallbladder problems can cause follow-on issues with the pancreas, however the pancreas itself can also be to blame. Pancreatic issues are serious and should be evaluated urgently. Lastly, a gallstone attack may also feel like a heart attack due to the two organs’ proximity.
It may also feel like severe, Be sure to seek immediate emergency attention if you ever believe you are having a heart attack – it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ultimately, any abdominal pain should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional. Diagnosing gallbladder issues doesn’t require much more than an ultrasound to determine if there is inflammation or if gallstones are causing the problem.
: How Do I Know My Abdominal Pain Is from Gallbladder Disease
Where do you hurt if your pancreas is hurting?
The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The pain: May be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, more commonly if foods have a high fat content. Becomes constant and more severe, lasting for several days.
What triggers pancreatic pain?
Key points about pancreatitis –
Pancreatitis is the redness and swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas.It may be sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic).The most common causes are alcohol abuse and lumps of solid material (gallstones) in the gallbladder.The goal for treatment is to rest the pancreas and let it heal.You will likely be in the hospital for a few days.You may need drainage of abnormal fluid collections, imaging tests to evaluate the pancreas for disease, and rarely surgery to permanently damaged part of the pancreas.It is very important to stop smoking and drinking or the pancreatitis will usually happen again and worsen.
Can you feel an inflamed pancreas?
Symptoms of an Enlarged Pancreas – Pain in the upper abdomen is a common symptom. Pain may spread to the back and feel worse when you’re eating and drinking, such as in cases of pancreatitis. See a doctor right away if you have these symptoms. Other causes of an enlarged pancreas may produce few or no symptoms at all.
- Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the deadliest cancers.
- It is difficult to catch at an early stage because of its usual lack of symptoms.
- The doctor will ask questions and do a thorough physical exam,
- Your doctor may also order blood, urine, or stool tests and a scan to diagnose and confirm the cause of an enlarged pancreas.
For example, you may have an X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan (computerized tomography scan), ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), or MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography). Other symptoms that may accompany an enlarged pancreas include:
Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea or oily stoolsWeight lossFeverRapid pulse Jaundice
