There are some important and delicate organs in the left side of our body including heart, liver, and kidney. Any of the disorder in these body organs can result in pain in left side of the body. Abdominal as well as chest pains are the two most common types of pains which are reported frequently by patients. Certain treatment options are available but they depend mostly on the actual cause of the pain. In this article we will learn about the causes of left side of the body pain from head to toe along with options of treatment.
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Pain on the Left side of the Body:
Any malfunctioning in the organs located on the left side of the body can result in pain in left side of the body only. Malfunctioning of organs is often due to inflammation or infection. It is important to find out the root cause of the pain before getting any prompt treatment. If you experience pain in left side of body under ribs, pain in left side of the body above hip, or if your whole left side of body hurts, you need to consult your health care provider.
Organs of left side of the Body:
Left side body pain symptoms are sharp, stabbing pain in left head to toe, sometimes the pain is in the form of dull ache. Pain in left side of the body is mainly due to the defect in normal functioning of underlying organs. Some very important organs which are located on the left side of the body include lungs, kidneys, heart, fallopian tubes, ovaries and testes, adrenal glands, stomach, spleen, pancreas, large intestine and most important of all, heart.
Pain on the left side of the body causes:
There are several causes of pain in left side of the body, arms, legs and other parts. Let’s study these pains in details along with the options of treatment.
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Cardiac problems:
Heart is located on the left side of the body and one of the main causes of pain on the left side of the body and chest is cardiac problems. The health concerns like angina, heart attack can cause extreme pain in left side of the body especially chest. Immediate medical supervision is needed if you experience left side body pain and numbness. Your doctor will recommend treatment options depending on the diagnosis of the condition.
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Lung infections:
The infection in lungs and the pleural membrane surrounding lungs is also one of the key causes of pain in left side of the body. Immediate medical supervision is needed. Infections can be treated with the help of antibiotics. Doctors will take x-ray of lungs and chest cavity to determine the extent of lung damage and antibiotics will be prescribed accordingly.
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Stress and anxiety:
Stress and anxiety can result in chest pain, in most of the cases people consider stress or anxiety related pains as heart pains though the pains are different and they spread to other vital organs of the body as well. For the treatment of stress and anxiety, several therapies are there, avoid using medication, reply on natural methods like exercising and walking.
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Physical wounds:
There are certain physical injuries which can result in pain in left side of the body. These injuries include muscle straining, deep wounds which squeezed the underlying nerve. Ice compress can be helpful as it can reduce swelling and pain. However, if the bleeding is unstoppable it is advised to see your doctor.
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Gastric volvulus:
The self contorting of stomach is known as gastric volvulus. The condition is usually seen in adults as compared to youngsters and results in pain on the left side of the body and nausea. Medical supervision is needed in this condition and surgical invasion is needed more often to treat the condition.
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Bloating:
The trapped gases inside the body result in sharp pain in left side of the body and right side of the body as well. Caught wind is the main cause of it hence whenever you feel bloated let the wind pass straight away. If you often feel bloated, take a light diet and walk for 20 minutes daily. Take plenty of water and little exercises to let the trapped gases pass out. Pain on the left side of the body below ribs is mainly due to bloating and gas issues.
- Kidney stones:
One of the main reasons of pain on the left side of the body near kidneys is kidney stones. Stones in the kidneys are formed due to the excessive accumulation of some salts and oxalates. The sharp pain in left side of the body above hip is felt if the stone is in left kidney. Staying hydrated is a key, besides you need to talk to your doctor as in acute conditions doctors advice surgical removal of these stones.
- Food poisoning:
Experience pain on the left side of the body after eating? Or pain on the left side of the body near waist? When you take a contaminated diet, you are at increased risk of food poisoning along with the experiencing of pain on the left side of the body that comes and goes. This can result in pain in left or either right side of the body.
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Pancreatic stones and cancer:
Stones in pancreas can cause sharp stabbing pain in the left side of the body. In the same way, if this pain is accompanied with fever, jaundice, paleness of stools and frequent reduction in weight it can be an indication of pancreatic cancer. Pain on the left side of the body with dizziness and above mentioned symptoms are due to inflammation or cancer of pancreas.
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Pregnancy:
Pain on the left side of the body during pregnancy is felt by most of the females. As there are drastic changes in the hormonal level during pregnancy, and ligaments are softened, as a result person experiences pelvic pain and pain in lower in left side of the body and back. Also the weight of developing fetus results in pressure on pelvis and it results in pain.
Bottom Line:
Pain in left side of lower body is caused by several reasons such as heart issues, lungs infection, pancreatic and stomach infections or inflammation, kidney stones or food poisoning. You need to consult your health care provider if the pain is sharp and stabbing and persists even after taking pain killers and are accompanied with other symptoms like fever, reduction in weight, loss of appetite etc.
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