2023-07-03 22:15:18
In general, if pain suddenly appears in the chest and persists, it is better to call the Samu (15) or go directly to the emergency department. This is all the more true in the case of cardiovascular risk factors (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.). But before you panic, know that there are multiple possible causes for your symptoms (which are not necessarily serious).
What are the organs on the left side?
There are many organs in this part of the body that might explain your pain: lung, esophagus, stomach, intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver, kidney, adrenal gland… The key is to identify the circumstances of the appearance of the pain, its duration, intensity and associated signs.
When we have pain on the left, what is it?
Chest or abdominal pain on the left side of the body may come from the lung, heart, or digestive organ located in that area. It can also be pain coming from the intercostal nerves or from the pectoral or abdominal muscles.
Left chest pain: can it come from the lung or the heart?
Usually a pain coming from the lung may be the consequence of a pathology affecting the latter as apneumothorax (severe and sudden pain), a pulmonary embolism or even a infectious pneumonia. In these cases, other signs of a respiratory nature are usually associated, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, hoarseness of the voice, etc.
If the pain comes from the heartwe must fear an inflammation of this vital organ (pericarditis, myocarditis…), a angina (or angina) or even a myocardial infarction. In these last two cases, the pain is sudden and persistent. On the other hand, in the case of an inflammatory disease affecting the heart muscle, the patient is likely to experience general signs of progressive intensity such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling (oedema), awareness of heartbeats (palpitations), fever and body aches.
Stomach ache on the left: stomach or intestine?
Sometimes the pain just comes from our digestive tract. When the pain is felt in the upper part of the latter (at the level of the esophagus or the stomach), it can be confused with cardiac symptoms. Burning and regurgitation are manifested by a painful sensation, especially following a meal. These signs are caused by acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux or RGO). It is best to consult a doctor in order to avoid any complications.
Finally, if the signs are located more in the middle or even in the lower abdomen, then they might correspond to intestinal pain. irritable bowel syndrome (SII), sMALL, diverticulitissimple presence of gas in the intestine, colitis… the causes are many and varied. If symptoms persist, make an appointment with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Please note, in the event of intense and sudden digestive pain associated with a cessation of gas emission and stools, it is recommended to consult urgently to ensure that it is not a intestinal obstruction.
Pain in the left hypochondrium: what if it was stress?
Recurrent pain in the subcostal region called ” hypocondre should not be taken lightly. They can signal a liver diseasepancreas (pancreatitis), gallbladder (infection or gallstones) or kidney. It is best to consult a doctor, or even directly a gastroenterologist specialist.
Pain under the ribs on the left when I breathe?
It looks like a intercostal pain. It is the consequence of the irritation of a nerve in the region of the ribs. It can be of traumatic origin (fracture of a rib, rib sprain, tearing of an intercostal muscle, etc.) or inflammatory (arthritis, costochondritis, etc.). Nevertheless, in the majority of cases, these manifestations are the consequence of stress and poor breathing. Indeed, stress causes not only tension in the chest muscles but also rapid and superficial breathing which can cause muscle cramps in the rib cage.
How long does intercostal pain last?
The duration of intercostal pain depends on its cause. Some intercostal pain may only last for a few seconds while others last for several minutes, hours or even up to days/weeks. Generally in the event of a bone fracture or sprain, it is advisable to be patient.
Recognize a left side point
The Side stitch is not serious. It corresponds to a sudden pain located under the ribs and which occurs during the effort. The causes of this problem are varied: muscular cramp of the diaphragm or abdominal, problem of blood circulation at the level of the organs of the belly, intestinal bloating, cold, inflammation of the intestine…
In the event of a side stitch, lean forward and gently compress the painful area with your hands. Inhale then exhale slowly and deeply.
Left chest pain: what if it was a heart attack?
If you have cardiovascular risk factors, then chest pain should alert you.
The main myocardial infarction risk factors are :
advanced age (over 50); menopause in women; an unbalanced lifestyle (unsuitable diet, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, etc.); overweight or even obesity; smoking; diabetes; high blood pressure ;hypercholesterolemia.
Myocardial infarction: what is this pain?
Usually, myocardial infarction is manifested by a characteristic type of chest pain that appears at rest or during exertion. It originates at the back of the sternum and acts as a vice. It is intense, in a bar and “squeezes” the chest strongly. It can extend into other parts of the body (jaws, left arm, back).
But sometimes the pain is atypical, and the person feels painful discomfort in the pit of the stomach associated with nausea or vomiting.
L’heart attack can also occur without pain. This is often the case in women, the elderly and diabetics.
Suspected heart attack: what to do?
If you show worrying signs, quickly contact 15 or 112.
If these symptoms concern someone close to you, especially if they have cardiovascular risk factors, you should:
call 15 ;start to massage the heart until the arrival of the Samu; if other people are present, ask them, if a defibrillator is available nearby, get it as soon as possible and defibrillate by following the instructions provided with the device; exercise these resuscitation gestures until the arrival of the emergency medical team who can begin medical treatment. Rapid care and diagnosis can preserve the vital prognosis.
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