While a lot of people feel pain in their entire body, some of them refer to their left side only. They complain from sensations of discomfort felt around the organs which are located on their left side. This sort of pain might be extremely safe and normal, while at times it might indicate another serious underlying problem. According to H. Merskey, and G.D Watson, “pain is more often lateralized on the left, except in the case of trigeminal neuralgia.” (1979). So let’s see why pain on the left side is more common.

What are the different organs which are located on the left side of the human body?

When a person feels pain on the left side, it is most likely that this pain is radiating from a specific organ, which is causing the sensation in the entire area. The organs which may be responsible for this sensation are:

• The human heart.

• One side of the lungs.

• A part of the stomach.

• A part of the intestines.

• The left kidney.

• The pancreas.

• The left ovary and fallopian tube (for women).

• The spleen.

What are the different conditions which can lead to pain in the left side of the body?

Going into the specifics, here is a list of all the conditions or diseases which can cause left side pain in the body.

• Heart Attack: A heart attack is basically what every person fears when it comes to health issues. It occurs when the artery that is responsible for supplying the blood gets blocked and becomes unable to maintain blood flow. The main reason behind this blockage is the excess of fatty deposits in the artery (Healthline, 2021). Other heart conditions, such as pericarditis, might lead to this sensation of pain too. As the heart is located towards the left side of the body, the pain felt in the area will radiate into the chest and the upper abdomen. Some other symptoms might be felt as well, such as difficulty breathing, numbness of the left arm, weakness in the entire body, sweating, coughing, and more (Illiades, 2021).

• A Sprain or Strain: Physical pain can be felt in the left side of the body, if the person experiences a sprain or strain in any of the organs or muscles which are located to the left. A strain happens when the person injures their muscle or tendon, which can lead to a tear in the area. As for the sprain, it is defined by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases as “tear or twist of a ligament, which is an elastic tissue connecting one bone to another” (Medical News Today, 2018). Some of the organs which can be affected are:

  • The back

  • The ankle

  • The arm

  • The foot

  • The knee

  • The wrist

  • The leg

• Kidney Disease or Infection: Any condition which might affect the kidney can lead to severe pain on the left side of the body. This pain is described as sharp and stabbing. It occurs due to a bacteria and causes pain which radiates to the rib cage and back areas. It can also reach the groin. As it is known, the kidney is a vital organ in the human body; it is responsible for controlling blood pressure, keeping a healthy level of fluids in the body, getting rid of all the toxic waste, and more. Therefore, sharp pain in the left side of the body, which can indicate kidney diseases, should not be overlooked; it might lead to life-threatening results. Plus, a very common condition which makes the person feel excruciating pain around the left area is kidney stones. This sort of pain is described as extremely severe, and produces many symptoms, such as vomiting and nausea.









• Pelvic Pain in Women: Women are more likely to experience this sensation of pain, especially around the pelvis, which produces lower left abdominal pain. The most common condition which can lead to pain on the left side of the body, is an ovarian cyst. Although an ovarian cyst is harmless, it leads to extreme pain on the left side of a woman’s body. A cyst develops next to or inside an ovary, and there’s a possibility for it to rupture, which causes severe ache in the left side of the stomach. Another reason behind pelvic pain might be ectopic pregnancy. This condition, in which the fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, causes pain, vaginal bleeding, and changes in the bowel habits (Illiades, 2021). All conditions leading to pelvic pain should be treated through medications or surgery, depending on the severity of the situation.
  Note: It is important to mention that menstruation cramps might be severe in some cases, and some women feel extreme pelvic pain in the left side of the abdomen when they menstruate.

• Left Colon Diseases: Any infection, inflammation, or diseases in the left colon, might lead to extreme left abdominal pain. This condition is called “ulcerative colitis”. In it, the inflammation moves from the rectum to the splenic flexure, near the spleen. These organs are located to the left side of the body, which produces the sensation of pain around that area (Nall, 2020). Many symptoms might indicate these conditions, such as blood in the stool, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, and more.
  Note: In some cases, gas build up in the colon, which may cause pain either on the right side of the body, the left side, or both sides. The excessive accumulation of gas in the digestive tracts sometimes tends to be unbearable, which is why some people mistake it for serious colon issues.

• Damaged, Ruptured, or Enlarged Spleen: The spleen is located on the side of the upper left abdomen, behind the ribs (NHS, 2019). It is an important organ for the body’s immune system. Any condition that might affect the spleen is a direct cause for pain felt in the left side of the body. When the spleen gets ruptured or damaged, it is a cause for medical attention. Its symptoms include pain under left rib, tenderness, and dizziness. However, when a spleen gets infected, it becomes enlarged. This condition cannot be solved without a surgery, and its symptoms are pain under left rib, bleeding, anemia, and more.














• Blood Clot in Left Lung: This condition is called “pulmonary embolism”, and it happens when a blood clot passes through the left lung, which causes extreme pain. It might severely damage the lung, if not treated early, and it produces other symptoms such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or, in worst-case scenarios, pneumonia.

• Testicular Torsion: According to Medical News Today, “testicular torsion typically causes pain on one side of the body.” (D’Souza, 2021). In simpler terms, testicular torsion is the twisting of the testicles. When this happens, blood is brought to the scrotum, which reduces blood flow and causes pain. Symptoms include swelling of the testicles, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.









• Pancreatitis: The pancreas is an organ located “behind the stomach in the upper left abdomen” (Columbia Surgery, 2021). So, when the pancreas gets inflamed, which is a condition called “pancreatitis”, it instantly causes pain on its left upper part. It also radiates to the back, and causes nausea, jaundice, and weight loss.

• Cancer: Cancer in any of the previously mentioned organs, leads to severe pain in the left side of the body. This pain radiates and reaches all the organs of the entire body if the patient does not follow the right treatment method.

What are the possible treatments for this type of pain?

As reasons behind left side pain vary, their treatment methods vary as well. It is not possible to consider only one treatment for all these types of pain; it basically depends on the location of the sensation, its severity, and how long the person has been feeling it. Treatment options include over-the-counter medications, antibiotics, lifestyle and diet changes, or surgery.

When should the patient contact a health care provider?

Normally, if the pain lasts for longer than a few days and isn’t justifiable, the patient should consult a doctor immediately. The person should first start with simple home remedies, such as changing their eating habits, working out more, stretching the painful areas, hydrating more, etc. However, not all home remedies lead to solutions. The patient should be fully aware of their symptoms and medical history, which makes it easier to determine the actual cause of the pain. Symptoms of heart attacks and kidney infections should be checked out as soon as possible.

Outlook

Pain felt in the body is not really pleasant; however, it is normal in many cases. The left side of the body is specifically regarded as an important one, as it might indicate serious health issues in the heart. Sometimes, the person might experience pain in other parts of the body, and the condition might not be mentioned above. This is why it is important to stay aware of all the sensations of pain that are being felt, in order to avoid the development of more serious conditions.

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