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Published on: 4/28/2025

What Could Be the Reasons for Experiencing Discomfort on the Left Side of the Body?

Discomfort on one side of your body can be caused by many things, including issues with your spine, muscles, or internal organs like the colon, kidneys, or even the surrounding tissues.

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Explanation

There are several possible reasons why you might feel discomfort on one side of your body. One common cause is chronic spinal pain, where differences in how the brain senses pain can sometimes make one side feel more tender than the other. This pain might be worsened by muscle strain or injury in that area. Another possibility is flank pain, which is discomfort on the side of your body near the back. This could be due to problems with your kidneys or muscles in that region. When the discomfort is in the abdomen, doctors might look at conditions like primary epiploic appendagitis or colonic diverticulitis. These are problems with small pieces of fat or the intestines that can cause one-sided pain. Sometimes, even stress or posture can make pain feel stronger on one side. Because the causes are so varied, it is important to see a healthcare provider. They can ask questions, do a physical exam, and run tests to find out the exact reason for your discomfort and decide on the best treatment.

(References)

  • Wasan AD, Anderson NK, Giddon DB. Differences in pain, psychological symptoms, and gender distribution among patients with left- vs right-sided chronic spinal pain. Pain Med. 2010 Sep;11(9):1373-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2010.00922.x. Epub 2010 Jul 27. PMID: 20667025; PMCID: PMC2972385.

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK292/
  • Hwang JA, Kim SM, Song HJ, Lee YM, Moon KM, Moon CG, Koo HS, Song KH, Kim YS, Lee TH, Huh KC, Choi YW, Kang YW, Chung WS. Differential diagnosis of left-sided abdominal pain: primary epiploic appendagitis vs colonic diverticulitis. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Oct 28;19(40):6842-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i40.6842. PMID: 24187459; PMCID: PMC3812483.

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