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Health

Pain in the side

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Pain in the side is a symptom by which many diseases can be diagnosed. Therefore, in order to have an accurate picture of the state of health in pain at the top of the back, it is important to conduct additional examinations. 

Often you hear in the transport, on the street, in the team of people's dialogues, where one person asks for advice from another, how and what to treat this or that disease. The right word, we are amazing creatures - people. Not only that one does not really know what hurts, so another, in response to the question, gives a whole algorithm of actions necessary for "recovery", and the same, with all possible diseases. Pain in the side, just falls into the category of those "diseases" that can be "easily" cured with lotions, poultices, broths and pills.

Many "experts" of rapid methods of treatment, in most cases, are not even interested in where exactly in the side is located. Indeed, why such subtleties, if one broth of wonderful grass, can heal all the sides with all the organs located in them. And what organs can cause pain in the side? What to do when there is pain in the side? And what should I do if the pain in the side is bilateral? Know your body thoroughly, of course, not necessarily. But to have an idea of where and how to behave, at least, it is desirable. What causes pain in the side? So. In order.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Possible variants of the occurrence of pain in the side

Let's consider possible variants of occurrence of a pain in a side and we will begin with the left side. The first thing to remember is that in a healthy state, not one of the organs causes painful sensations. If it starts to ache, then something in the body is not so. In the left side pain can occur in different places of localization: under the ribs, in the lower abdomen, at the top of the abdomen, in front or behind. Sometimes the pain occurs immediately on the entire left side.

Pain in the side to the left. Causes 

  • pathological processes in the stomach; 
  • pathology of the spleen (enlargement or rupture); 
  • hernia of diaphragm; 
  • acute heart attacks and chronic heart disease; 
  • left-sided pneumonia; 
  • left-sided pleurisy; 
  • acute or chronic forms of inflammatory processes in the pancreas; 
  • manifestation of rheumatic fever; 
  • neuralgia of a different nature; 
  • presence of hidden or open injuries.

Pain in the side to the left with localization in the lower abdomen: 

  • most diseases of the intestine (obstruction, cancer, inversion of the intestines); 
  • gynecological problems and ectopic pregnancy in women;

Pain in the side left and behind: 

  • kidney pathologies; 
  • myocardial infarction.

The pain in the side to the right is due to problems with: 

  • gallbladder; 
  • the adrenal gland; 
  • duodenum; 
  • right lung; 
  • upper intestine; 
  • appendicitis; 
  • inguinal hernia; 
  • urolithiasis.

In the case of women, the pain can be caused by: 

  • rupture of the ovary; 
  • rupture of the uterine tube during ectopic pregnancy; 
  • formed ovarian cyst;

Diseases that cause pain in the side

trusted-source[7], [8], [9], [10]

Abdominal organs

The side is the right or left part of the abdominal cavity, in which a number of organs are located. Any of these organs can fail and cause pain in the side.

Therefore, states that provoke pain in the side may be very different. For example, diseases of the stomach, bladder, intestines. All these organs are hollow, that is, they can contain the remains of food or liquid. So, they can clog up.

In this case, pain in the side may occur, which requires urgent medical attention.

Hollow organs in the peritoneum can also burst, which poses a threat to life. Then you need to urgently call for medical help. And the first symptom may be just the pain in the side for more than half an hour.

trusted-source[11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]

What you need to know about the structure of the abdominal cavity?

The abdominal cavity can be divided into 4 parts. Left upper - left side above, upper right - right side above, lower left - left side below, right lower - right side below. This division is used when the doctor finds out the localization of pain in the side.

Liver

Diseases of the liver may be as follows:

  • Viral hepatitis A, B, C (the cause is an infection from contaminated water, from an infected person, from contaminated food).
  • Toxic hepatitis (toxin poisoning).
  • An overabundance of medicines can also cause damage to the liver.
  • Excess of chemicals.
  • Alcohol poisoning, damaging the liver.
  • Heart failure, which causes the liver to malfunction. Blood that passes through the heart can stagnate in the lungs and provoke malfunctions in the heart, as well as pain in it.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a very important organ. In the liver, as it is not difficult to guess, bile is formed and helps in the digestion of food. The remainder of bile is localized in the gallbladder. A lot of fatty foods on the menu mean that bile is needed more to digest it.

But if there are stones in the liver, pain can occur in these organs. And then the person feels them in the upper right corner of the abdomen, in other words - in the right side.

Pancreas

The medical term for the pancreas is pancreas. This vital organ is very deep in the peritoneum. This body has the property of secreting juices, digestive enzymes and insulin. In shape, the pancreas has the shape of a horizontally elongated oval.

If you take as a basis part of the peritoneum, the beginning of the pancreas is on the right and above, the middle of the gland is in the middle part of the abdomen, and its end, as it becomes logically clear, is on the upper left.

Pain in the side can cause inflammation in it, and the causes of this is alcohol abuse.

When there are pains in the pancreas , it is called an attack of acute pancreatitis. Concomitant symptoms - vomiting, nausea, severe sweating. Pain can be in the entire back, not just pain in the left side or right side. And the pain is so strong that it is difficult for a person to stand it even when lying down. Change positions can not help.

Is that only a person stands leaning forward. Then it can become easier.

Kidneys

When the kidneys are aching, the pain can bother more to the right - then it's a kidney pathology. Pain can be given in the back - in the right or left side.

Pain in the side to the right and back can indicate pus in the right kidney, the stones in it. The pain on the left is the same with the left kidney.

If the stones from the kidney have moved to the ureter, the pain can be circular, girdling, giving off into the groin area. If it's a man, kidney pain can move to the testicles.

Spleen

With violations of her work, there may be a pain in the side, the left upper part. The spleen is very close to the surface of the skin. Diseases of this organ provoke an increase in its volume, it stretches and this causes pain in the side.

Because of injuries, it can burst, due, for example, to infectious mononucleosis. Then it becomes soft, much larger in size than it was.

Signs of a rupture can be blue skin in the navel, soreness in the peritoneum (right and left).

Stomach

It can be the cause of pain in the upper left side. Among the pathological processes of the stomach causing pain, there may be gastritis (irritation of the mucosa), functional dyspepsia, cancer, ulcer. The pains are weak, but lasting, and besides them there is also nausea, vomiting, general weakness.

Antacids can help in this case. Additional tests will also be needed to make the final diagnosis.

Diaphragm

Her diseases provoke pain in the upper left side. This may be due to hernia diaphragm. The diaphragm has the property of separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.

In this design there is a hole, through it there is an esophagus to the stomach. Around the hole there are muscles that regulate the size of this hole. These muscles can atrophy, weaken, and then the hole becomes larger in size. Then the stomach can pass through it into the chest cavity. This is the hernia of the diaphragm.

The hernia of the diaphragm often disturbs those who are 60-70 years old. It is accompanied by a sharp pain in the upper left corner, increased temperature, nausea, vomiting, general weakness.

The disease is aggravated by alcohol abuse and smoking, diabetes, diuretics, steroid use.

trusted-source[17], [18], [19], [20], [21]

Appendix

Appendix

Appendicitis, from which many people suffer, is manifested primarily by pains in the right side, but not from above, but from below. The appendix looks like a small piece of muscle tissue, which extends from the large intestine. It can be affected by cancerous tumors.

If in the right lower corner of the person strong pain, it can be a sign of inflammation of the appendix. Confirmation of this diagnosis may be pain in the navel, which does not subside for more than 12 hours.

Procrastination with the doctor's call here is unacceptable, since the appendix can burst, and the body will be infected. Exit from the situation - only surgery.

trusted-source[22], [23], [24], [25], [26]

Intestines

The cause of pain in the side may be an infection that struck the intestine. The diagnosis is: ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, ileitis, lamblia in the body. Pain in the side may be due to herpes zoster, which spreads over a large area of the body. Pain in the side may be a consequence of squeezing the nerve roots that spread from the spine.

Ectopic pregnancy

It can be the cause of severe pain in the side - left or right. With ectopic pregnancy, the egg instead of entering the uterus does not come out of the fallopian tube.

The cause of pain can also be viral infections transmitted during sexual intercourse. Namely: trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia. Pain in the side can cause and ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, ovarian ruptures, endometriosis.

With these conditions, the pain in the side is very strong, and it is further intensified by movement, as well as by menstrual flow.

In order not to aggravate the situation with pain in the right and left side, you must always consult a doctor for examination and clarification of the diagnosis.

trusted-source[27], [28], [29], [30]

Pain in the side and its types

Pain is a vague concept. In describing the nature of pain sometimes resort to various comparisons: aching, burning, stitching, cutting. Sometimes one description of the pain is enough to correctly establish a diagnosis. The pain in the side may be of several kinds: 

  • visceral - is typical for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The character of the pain is cramping (typical of colitis), dull or aching (flatulence). Often pain can be given to nearby parts of the body; 
  • peritoneal - pain with clear localization, permanent character. Comes with a perforated stomach ulcer. With any movement, the pain intensifies, becomes sharp and cutting; 
  • Reflected or radiating - from the main inflamed organ pain "gives" in the left or right side; 
  • wandering - it is impossible to accurately "show" the place where pain is localized. As a rule, this "leads" the inflammation of the appendix. The pain bothers more in the right side, but not exactly, like and in the center of the abdomen gives away and somehow like that, in general - it's unclear how, but there is pain in the side.

Diagnosis of pain in the side

When there is pain in the side to the left, the actions should be quick and urgent. On the left is one important organ that does not like to wait in problematic situations - this is the heart. Pain in the left hypochondrium, pulling, pressing or pressing character is a clear sign of a violation of cardiac activity - it is necessary to provide the patient with peace, the flow of fresh air and call a team of doctors.

The more people turn to for help, the harder the consequences. For example, cholecystitis, perforated ulcer causes pain in the sides of a different nature, but in a failed state lead to rupture of the corresponding organ, inflammatory process of the entire abdominal region and, ultimately, to death.

In all other cases, to find out the reason for the pain in the side, you can not hurry, but not delaying. To begin, if the pain has arisen for the first time, it is necessary from a campaign to the therapist. The doctor will conduct an initial examination, will write a direction for the delivery of general tests of urine and blood. If necessary, refer to a specialist for a consultation, which may be: 

  • cardiologist; 
  • urologist; 
  • gynecologist; 
  • surgeon; 
  • nephrologist; 
  • pulmonologist; 
  • gastroenterologist; 
  • andrologist; 
  • traumatologist.

Probable methods of research that will be prescribed in situations where the patient complains of pain in the side: 

  • Electrocardiogram; 
  • Ultrasonography; 
  • Radiography; 
  • MRI; 
  • Computer diagnostics; 
  • Endoscopic methods of research - colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, etc.

trusted-source[31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38]

Treatment of pain in the side

It is impossible to say unambiguously which treatment will be prescribed for this or that disease, which affects the state of health in the form of pain in the side. Each disease can have a different etiology, the body can have side problems, individual characteristics.

Independently, you can make a decision to remove acute pain, before the arrival of a doctor, the reception of any pain medication. But this decision should be taken in a balanced manner and, preferably, after consulting with specialists. As soon as there is pain, call the nearest clinic or your doctor. Such important phone numbers, like "First Aid" and a local doctor, should always be at hand.

However, it must be remembered that painkillers can "lubricate" the picture of the disease and mislead the doctors, changing the nature of the pain and, thus, pushing the wrong diagnosis. Therefore, if nevertheless painkillers have been taken, and the pain in the side has slightly subsided, be sure to notify the doctor about it. In some conditions, such as appendicitis or acute cholecystitis, reducing pain does not mean eliminating the underlying cause. In such cases, only surgery is shown.

Pain is a tricky thing

Problems with the body, of course, a personal matter for everyone. Someone fundamentally does not trust modern medicine and prefers in any cases to resort to alternative means. And this is his right. However, similar cases lead to severe consequences and the usual pain in the side, caused, for example, by flatulence, can result in an inflammatory process in the pancreas, due to the wrong combination of herbs. Pain can be so insidious, that in nature it is similar to pneumonia, but in fact it is a manifestation of myocardial infarction. Hence the conclusion: the timely finding of a problem, the correct diagnosis and timely, quality treatment - that's the guarantee of health for many years.

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