What Could Be the Underlying Issues If I Experience Problems Only on the Left Side of My Body?

When you experience symptoms only on one side, several underlying issues may be responsible. One possibility is a neurological event, like a stroke, that affects one side of the brain and leads to weakness or numbness only on one side. Another potential cause is a heart issue. The heart is mostly on the left side of your body, so problems such as angina or a heart attack can lead to pain or discomfort there. One-sided flank pain might not always be caused by kidney stones; sometimes other kidney or vascular issues are at play. In addition, problems in the upper abdomen on the left side could be due to conditions affecting organs like the spleen or stomach, though these are less common. Because these issues can be serious, it’s important to get a thorough medical evaluation. A healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and may order blood tests or imaging studies to determine the exact cause and guide treatment.