How Common Is Upper Left Abdominal Pain and What Are Its Potential Causes?

Emergency Medicine, Holy Name Medical Center

Supervised by Tomas Diaz, MD

Upper left abdominal pain is common and often due to stomach issues. However, there are other causes to consider.

Explanation

Many people experience pain in the upper left abdomen often related to stomach issues. Common causes include gastritis, stomach ulcers, and indigestion. Other stomach problems such as food intolerances or viral infections can cause pain in this area. Less commonly, pain in this area may be related to the spleen, pancreas, heart, or muscular causes. Mild pain or pain that you have infrequently may not be cause for concern. However, if pain is severe, does not go away, or is associated with other symptoms like fever, you should discuss with a healthcare provider.

(References)

Sherman R. Abdominal Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 86. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK412/
Kang JY, Tay HH, Guan R. Chronic upper abdominal pain: site and radiation in various structural and functional disorders and the effect of various foods. Gut. 1992 Jun;33(6):743-8. doi: 10.1136/gut.33.6.743. PMID: 1624152; PMCID: PMC1379328.
Keenan CR, Dhaliwal G, Henderson MC, Bowen JL. A 43-year-old woman with abdominal pain and fever. J Gen Intern Med. 2010 Aug;25(8):874-7. doi: 10.1007/s11606-010-1372-3. PMID: 20440575; PMCID: PMC2896582.

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