When Pain occurs insistently, the most normal thing is to be alarmed and wonder what could be happening to us; however, the discomfort can be due to multiple conditions when it comes to Pain on the left side. Determining the type of Pain suffered and its intensity. Suppose it decreases or increases with time or specific movements. In that case, it is essential to know if it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible or if it is a temporary pathology. In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the most common causes of left side pain and when you should see a specialist.
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When to see an emergency doctor for Pain on the left side?
Any persistent pain is worth a visit to the doctor. However, some pests can be evaluated in regular consultation. At the same time, there are cases in which an emergency review is needed to diagnose and treat the condition that affects us as soon as possible.
If, in addition to Pain on the left side, you have the following symptoms, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible:
- High fever.
- Nausea, vomiting, and chills.
- Blood in urine or stools.
- Persistent left flank pain that does not decrease after 48 hours.
- When the Pain increases with the passing of the hours and becomes intense.
- If the Pain occurs after an accident, blow, or contusion.
Kidney problems
A common cause of left flank pain stems from various kidney problems, which present apparent symptoms regardless of the Pain itself. If, in addition to the discomfort on the side, you experience symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, Pain or burning when urinating, frequent desire to urinate, and blood in the urine, then it could be:
- Kidney stones
- Urine infection that has reached the kidneys
- Kidney abscess
- Renal colic
Faced with any of the signs above, it is essential to visit a doctor as soon as possible to determine if it is a kidney condition and what is the best way to treat it.
Rib injuries, bruises, and poor posture
The Causes of Pain in the left side that occur more frequently are injuries or fractures in the ribs or contusions produced in this area due to a decisive blow. If the discomfort occurs after an accident, a fall, or a significant setback, it is necessary to see a doctor for a check-up to rule out a major injury.
On the other hand, bad postures when sleeping in which we place our side on our armor on some blunt object can also cause discomfort in this area. They should decrease after 24 or 48 hours, as long as the wrong posture is not constant.
Various intestinal problems
When they occur in the intestinal area, several problems can cause discomfort that manifests on our left side. It is essential to determine if the Pain is relieved with evacuation or if it increases when constipated or moves to another area.
Some of the intestinal conditions that can cause pain on the left side are:
- Constipation, this condition is accompanied by abdominal swelling and a feeling of fullness and heaviness.
- Patients with irritable bowel or bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease may have Pain in this area due to intestinal inflammation. It usually subsides on its own when we eat correctly, and the swelling decreases.
- Intestinal obstruction occurs when something prevents food or feces from being expelled from the body. It is characterized by severe pain in the abdomen that can spread to the side, abdominal swelling and swelling, constipation, and vomiting. Given this picture, it is essential to see a doctor immediately.
Muscle spasms
Muscle spasms are one of the common causes of side pain. If you have done a physical activity in which you have carried a lot of weight and inadequate movement or slept in a bad posture, this condition may occur. This type of pain is intermittent and similar to a contraction, usually disappearing after a day or two.
If the discomfort does not stop after 48 hours or becomes more intense, it is advisable to see a doctor.
Spinal injuries
Some spinal injuries can cause discomfort that extends to the left side of the body. This is the case of disc degeneration, herniated discs, back arthritis, spinal fracture or infection, and various lumbar problems.
In addition to pain in the side, such as difficulty bending over, getting up, doing physical activities, or specific movements. If this is the case, it is recommended to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Herpes zoster
Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is a virus produced by chickenpox that only occurs in patients who have suffered from this disease. It manifests itself when the varicella-zoster virus, dormant in the body for years, becomes active again, generating annoying symptoms.
The side is one of the places where shingles appear more frequently, as it lodges in the nerves located in this area; it produces significant Pain in this area that, after a few days, will also have the appearance of an annoying rash and other symptoms such as general malaise, fever, and itching in the area of the inflammation. These signs warrant a medical diagnosis, so visiting a specialist is very important.
The importance of going to a specialist
As you may have seen in this article, Pain on the left side can be due to many causes, which is why it is essential to visit our family doctor or a specialist to determine the origin of the discomfort and what is the best treatment to reduce them.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.