There are a number of reasons why pain in your lower left side could exist, as well as a number of solutions on how to reduce and get rid of that pain. In order to determine the exact solution we must first determine the cause of the pain.
What are the common symptoms?
Side pain is a discomfort on the left or right side of the body, typically between the chest and hips. Most pain radiates from damaged bones, muscles or nerves, but blood vessels, organs and other structures can also become infected, or inflamed. Can pain just occur in just the lower left side?
The short answer, yes, pain can occur in one localized area. What causes lower left side pain?
Urinary Causes
Most of the causes in this area stem from the kidney. It could be as simple as a bruised kidney from some type of trauma or it could be something more serious like kidney cancer.
Gastrointestinal Causes
Most gastrointestinal causes are due to abdominal pain, but lower left side pain may occur in conjunction with abdominal pain due to any of the following conditions:
- Appendicitis
- Bowel blockage
- Pancreatic cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Flatulence
- Food poisoning
- Gall bladder disorders
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (ibs)
- Liver disorders
- Pancreatitis
- Ruptured spleen
Often times abdominal pain is the actual cause for pain in your lower left side.
Lung Related Causes
Many times lungs can create localized pain in your side because they extend down and towards the sides of your torso. This can be especially for those with asthma after intense sporting events.
Some other related causes are:
- Bronchitis
- Pleurisy
- Pneumonia
- Plumonary edema
Gynecological Causes
Female reproductive organs may become inflamed, infected, or otherwise damaged, causing pain in the lower side, usually directly above the groin. Gynecological causes of side pain include:
- Pregnancy related issues
- Ovarian cysts
- Salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes)
- Tubo-ovarian abscess (abscess affecting an ovary and fallopian tube)
Cardiovascular Causes
Side pain can possibly arise from heart problems. Most of the following conditions are usually more associated with pain in the chest, just like the lungs, this pain can radiate outward to your side via your ribcage. Cardiovascular conditions include:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Aortic dissection
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease (heart disease)
- Endocarditis (inflammation or infection of the inner lining of the heart)
- Heart attack
- Mitral valve prolapse and other heart valve problems
- Pericarditis (inflammation or infection of the lining that covers the heart)
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Other Causes of Side Pain
Many times side pain is caused by something we do, like lifting heavy objects with out proper technique. If you’re reading this, you no know what they mean by “lift with your legs.” Many of the below causes are also related to the main anatomical categories discussed above, but if you can a narrow it down to something in this list then you’ll know what to avoid in the future.
- Exercise
- Fibromyalgia (chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness and tenderness)
- Hernia
- Muscle spasm
- Musculoskeletal injuries, such as a rib fracture or strained muscle in the chest wall, back, or abdomen
- Neuritis (inflammation of a nerve between ribs)
- Seminal vesiculitis (seminal vesicle inflammation)
- Shingles (herpes zoster infection)
After you’ve had a chance to read through some of the causes, learn how to properly diagnose pain in the lower left side.