What Pain on Your Left Side Could Mean

Pain in the left side of your belly (abdomen) is a common
symptom and could indicate a variety of conditions. Pain is never normal, but
it is not always serious.

Pain in your left abdomen usually comes from one of the
organs in that part of your body. Organs on the left side of your abdomen that
might cause pain include:

• Pancreas

• Part of the stomach

• Part of the small intestine

• Left side and descending part of the colon

• Left kidney

• Left ovary and fallopian tube in women

A blood clot or infection in the left lung can also cause
left-sided abdominal pain. A heart attack or swelling around the heart can
cause this pain, too.

Types and Symptoms of Left-Sided Abdominal Pain

Pain on the left side of your abdomen may last a short time
(acute pain) or a long time (chronic pain). The pain might start in one place
and move (radiate) to another. The pain might be sharp or dull.

Other symptoms you experience along with the pain can be
very important in figuring out the cause of your pain. They can include nausea,
cramping, diarrhea, fever and constipation.

Common causes of left-sided abdominal pain include:

• Stomach
  ulcer or inflammation of the stomach (gastritis). This may cause acute or
  chronic pain in the left upper part of your abdomen. Other symptoms include
  nausea and vomiting. Bleeding in the stomach may cause bloody vomiting or stool
  that is bloody, black or tarry.

•  Cancer or
  inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). This can cause pain in the
  left upper part of the pancreas. Pancreatitis causes severe and constant pain
  that may radiate to the back, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and
  fever. Pancreatic cancer causes pain that is dull and more gradual. Symptoms
  include nausea, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and weight loss.

• Cancer,
  infection, or diseases of the left colon. These conditions can cause crampy
  pain in the lower left abdomen. Other symptoms may include changes in bowel
  habits, weight loss, fever, blood or mucus in the stool, and tenderness when
  pressing on the lower abdomen. A cancer or disease that blocks the colon may
  cause crampy pain and constipation.

• Cancer or
  inflammation of the small intestine. This can cause left-sided abdominal
  pain along with changes in bowel habits, loss of appetite, cramping, gas,
  bloating, and blood or mucus in the stool.

• Kidney
  disease, kidney infection, or kidney stones. Pain from these conditions may
  be sharp and acute. It may radiate to behind the ribs or down into the groin.
  Other symptoms may include burning pain when passing urine, fever, blood in the
  urine, and tenderness in the right flank.

• Pelvic
  pain in women. A condition in a woman’s pelvis can produce lower left
  abdominal pain. One cause of pain is an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized
  egg attaches outside of the uterus. The pain may be acute and sharp. Other
  symptoms may include changes in bowel habits and vaginal bleeding. An ovarian
  cyst also can cause pelvic pain in women. The pain may come and go, can be dull,
  and may radiate to the back. Other symptoms may include abnormal and painful
  periods. Another source of pelvic pain in women can be a pelvic infection,
  which may also cause fever and vaginal discharge or bleeding.

• Blood
  clot or infection in the left lung. A blood clot that travels to your lung
  (known as pulmonary embolism) can cause sharp, severe and acute pain. Other
  symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include cough, shortness of breath, rapid
  breathing, and blood-tinged sputum (the mucus expelled when you cough). In
  addition to pain, lung infections like pneumonia may cause fever.

• Heart
  attack or swelling around the heart (pericarditis). Heart conditions like
  these can cause upper abdominal pain on the left side. Other symptoms may
  include acute, stabbing chest pain with difficulty breathing. You also may have
  weakness, a cough, and sweating.

Red Flags for Left Abdominal Pain

Mild abdominal pain that goes away and does not come back
may not need treatment. However, talk to your doctor about any abdominal pain
that is severe or keeps coming back. It is never normal to have abdominal pain,
so it's always a good idea to tell your doctor about any symptoms you’re
experiencing.

Certain "red flags" mean you need to seek medical
care. Watch for these more serious symptoms:

• Severe or worsening pain

• Pain with fever

• Chest pain, cough, or trouble breathing

• Pain with diarrhea

• Constipation that lasts more than three days

• Blood in your stool

• Pain with nausea or vomiting

• Vomiting blood

•  Jaundice

• Pain with swelling of the abdomen

• Severe tenderness of the abdomen

• Pain with vaginal discharge or bleeding