
Pain on the left side of the body can be caused due to several reasons ranging from acid reflux disease, to kidney stones, to heart attack. This article will give you brief information and list of potential causes of severe pain in left side.
Several vital organs are located on the left side of the body like the heart, left lung, left part of the brain, stomach, left kidney, left ovary and fallopian tube (in females), left testicles (in males), left part of the small and large intestines, left hand, left ear, left eye, left leg, etc. Injury, trauma, or abnormal functioning of any of these organs leads to pain. Here we have categorized the different potential causes according to the body part that they affect.
Pain in Left Side of Head and Neck
Any injury, inflammation, or infection to the left part of the brain can lead to headache and other symptoms. Similarly, injury or excess strain to the neck can also lead to disorders of the neck which consequently lead to pain in the neck.
- Brain cancer
- Brain injury
- Brain tumor
- Cervical spondylosis
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Migraine
- Sinus infection
- Whiplash injury
Chest Pain on the Left Side
As the left lung and the heart are located on the left side of the body, diseases and disorders related to them lead to pain in the left side of the chest. However, causes not related to these organs can also cause chest pain.
- Acid reflux disease
- Costochondritis
- Diverticulitis
- Heart attack
- Lung cancer
- Pneumonia
Pain in Left Side of Abdomen
The different organs located in the left abdomen are stomach, some part of the liver, left kidneys, left ovary and fallopian tube (in females), parts of intestines, etc. Therefore, there can be numerous possible causes for sharp abdominal pain.
- Colon cancer
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fibromyalgia
- Gallstones
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney stone
- Liver cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis
Left Side Back Pain
Several causes of stomach pain are also responsible for causing back pain. Hence, most of the aforementioned causes can also be included in the following list.
- Herniated disc
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Sciatica
Pain in Left Side of Leg
Injury is one of the most prominent causes of pain in leg. However, leg pain in left side can also be caused due to a variety of reasons ranging from minor to major ones.
- Achilles tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Baker’s cyst
- Charley horse
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
Apart from these, pain in left side of hand can occur due to carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, heart attack, etc. If a person experiences sharp pain that lasts for more than a couple of hours, he/she should consult the doctor immediately. Along with pain, you should also look out for other symptoms. The doctor will advise the person to undertake physical examination, X-ray, or MRI in order to diagnose the potential cause of pain. In minor cases, medication, massage, physical therapy, and rest may help; while in others, hospitalization and surgery may be required.
You should remember not to ignore any of the symptoms of severe pain. Most of the aforementioned causes can be treated effectively if timely treatment is undertaken. Take care!
Disclaimer: Note that this article is meant only to provide information. It is recommended to consult the doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.