What Is Left Side Body Pain?
Pain on the left side of the body can take many forms, from a simple muscle strain to a serious medical issue. If you’re having pain on your left side (the majority of people experience it somewhere on their body), you may be asking yourself where that pain is lodged in relation to other parts of your body, and if it’s serious enough that you should see a doctor.
Left-sided body pain can occur due to sprains, nerve issues, digestive issues or heart-related conditions. In some instances, this type of pain will be temporary and will not affect your life in a significant way; however, at other times it can require urgent medical assistance. In order to treat right-side body pain successfully, you must first understand what is causing the discomfort.
Why Does Pain on the Left Side of the Body Happen?
There are many reasons why a person may have pain on their left side, and it depends on where the pain is located, as to what the cause could be.
The most common reasons for left side pain are:
1. A Muscle Strain or Injury
If you have recently lifted a heavy item, exercised vigorously, or slept in a strange position, your pain could be due to a muscle strain. The pain:
- Worsens with movement
- Feels sore or tight
- Improves with rest
2. Heart-Related Conditions
If you are experiencing pain on the left side of your chest, particularly if it starts to radiate to your left arm, neck, or jaw, it could be related to heart problems. Warning signs of heart-related problems include:
- Pressure or tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or nausea
3. Digestive Problems
Pain in the left side of the belly may also be associated with:
- Gas or bloating
- Acid reflux
- Constipation
- Diverticulitis
4. Kidney Problems
If the pain you are feeling is sharp, and located in the lower back or side, it may be a kidney stone or kidney infection. Other symptoms of kidney problems can include:
- Pain with urination
- Fever
- Blood in the urine
5. Nerve Compression
Conditions such as sciatica or cervical radiculopathy can cause pain that radiates down the left arm or left leg. Nerve-related pain will often feel like:
- Sharp or burning sensation
- Tingling or numbness
- Worse with certain movements
How Do You Know If Left Side Body Pain Is Serious?
You will wish to ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the pain sudden and extreme?
- Does the pain travel to the chest/jaw/arm?
- Is the pain accompanied by shortness of breath or sweating?
- Do you have a fever or vomiting along with pain?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you will require medical attention immediately. The mild pain that improves with rest normally is less serious. However, you do not want to ignore the persistent pain that has lasted longer than a couple of days.
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Best Treatment Options for Left Body Pain Treatment
Doctor’s treat people differently depending on what is causing their pain. For instance, if you were to see a doctor for a headache, they might write you a prescription for pain medication; if you see the same doctor for muscle aches or nerve pain, they would suggest using an anti-inflammatory medication and/or physiotherapy. There are several approaches doctors typically take when treating patients with pain:
- Medication: Pain relievers for muscle pain, antacids for digestive issues, antibiotics for infections, or anti-inflammatories for nerve or joint pain.
- Physical Therapy: If the pain is caused by a problem with the muscle itself (muscle, nerve), then physiotherapy may be beneficial for strengthening the muscle, improving posture, and reducing pain.
- Lifestyle Changes: Sometimes small changes can have a big impact on reducing pain, such as improving one’s posture, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, or lifting things differently; and
- Surgery (if applicable): In very rare cases, surgery will be necessary to treat the underlying condition, such as a large kidney stone, hernia, or a severe problem with the spine.
What Are the Best Left Side Pain Remedies at Home?
You can treat left-side pain if it’s mild and not associated with serious symptoms In the following ways:
1. Rest
Allow your body time to mend—stay away from anything that will increase your pain.
2. Hot or cold compresses
- Ice packs decrease swelling
- A warm compress loosens up muscles
- Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time.
3. Gentle stretches
Light stretching helps to relieve tightness and stiffness from muscles (especially back and shoulder muscles).
4. Hydration
If the cause of your pain is from your digestive system drinking adequate amounts of water may provide relief from bloated or constipated stomach.
5. Pain relievers – over-the-counter (OTC)
OTC pain relievers can provide temporary relief of left-sided pain. However, do not selfmedicate for extended periods. After 3-5 days of continuous pain, you should see a doctor or other licensed health care professional regarding your needs.
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Where Is Left Side Body Pain Most Commonly Felt?
Individuals frequently report feelings of discomfort in the following areas:
- the left side of their chest
- the upper left side of their abdomen
- the lower left side of their abdomen
- their left shoulder and arm
- the left side of their lower back
- their left leg
The specific location of the discomfort can provide significant insight into the reason for the discomfort. As an example:
- upper left chest discomfort could indicate some kind of heart or lung problem
- lower left abdominal discomfort could indicate a digestive problem
- left shoulder discomfort could indicate muscles or nerves that are injured.
How to Prevent Pain on Left Side of Body?
The way to prevent injuries varies based on the cause. However, here are some general ways to avoid injuries:
- be aware of your posture,
- exercise frequently,
- eat healthy,
- do some form of stress reduction,
- do not smoke,
- and drink plenty of water.
Conclusion
There are several causes of left side body pain, ranging from mild (like muscle strain) to serious medical conditions (like heart and kidney problems). To get a proper evaluation of your left side body pain, it is best to pay attention the type, location and severity of the pain.
A mild case of left side body pain may respond well to home remedy treatments; however, if you have persistent or sudden severe left side body pain, you should consult with your physician immediately about evaluation and treatment options.
At Shekhawati Hospital, Jaipur, we are committed to providing an early diagnosis and personalized approach for all patients who present with symptoms related to left side body pain.
If you, or a loved one, are having pain on your left side, we invite you to take advantage of our staff’s knowledge and experience to provide you with the appropriate evaluation and treatment for your condition. Our top priority is to keep you healthy and comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
1: What are the potential causes of sudden shooting left side pain?
Ans: Shooting pain can result from a muscle or nerve pulled or pinned down, or kidney stones, a kidney infection, or heart troubles. If your left side pain is severe and you are experiencing chest pain, you should seek emergency medical attention.
2: Is left side pain a sure sign of heart problems?
Ans: Heart problems can cause left-sided chest pain; however, many causes of left side chest pain are muscle problems, gastrointestinal problems, and some types of nerve-related conditions. Chest pain should never be ignored.
3: How long can left side body pain last?
Ans: Usually, muscle-related left side body pain will go away in a few days. However, left side body pain caused by infection, kidney stones, and nerve problems may persist and require treatment.
