Note when you have abdominal pain on the left side of the navel

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Abdominal pain on the left side above the navel with a distinctive character such as sudden, persistent, severe progression of unknown cause can be a sign of illness. The most commonly occurring diseases are intra-abdominal diseases such as diseases of the stomach, spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs, intestinal disorders,...

If the abdomen is divided into 4 equal parts, the area above the left navel is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen just below the ribs. The dividing limit is the area from the lower part of the rib to the pubic area.
Vital organs located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen include:
Spleen Stomach Part of the pancreas Left kidney and left adrenal gland Upper part of the colon A small portion of the liver. There is also the skin and the innervating nerves.

2.1 Caused by Spleen The spleen is an organ located just behind the stomach, below the last left rib. Its main function is to filter blood, regenerate blood cells, store platelets, and play a role in strengthening the immune system. The pain is caused by the spleen when:
Spleen becomes enlarged: Commonly seen in some diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, infections such as leukocytosis. The pain comes in waves and gradually gets worse. In case of infection, the patient will have mild pain with fatigue, intermittent sore throat and sometimes fever. Spleen rupture due to trauma: In a traffic accident, paroxysmal pain will occur suddenly after injury to the abdomen. Disease sickle cell anemia. 2.2 Intestinal causes Nearly any bowel abnormality can cause pain in the upper left navel area, for example:
Peptic ulcer : Stomach ulcers tend to cause pain in the mid-abdominal region. , below the ribs but sometimes to the left, presenting as left upper abdominal pain. The pain is often worse after meals, or at night at bedtime. To relieve pain, you can use antacids, but only with a doctor's prescription. Indigestion: Usually, patients feel pain in the upper abdomen, accompanied by heartburn and acid reflux. The pain increases after each meal. Gastroenteritis: Intestinal infections tend to cause pain in the entire abdomen, excluding the area above the left navel. The patient has a nagging discomfort and is often accompanied by diarrhea and/or vomiting. Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix usually causes pain in the lower abdomen, but sometimes also in the upper abdomen and is often accompanied by fever and disturbance in bowel habits. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: These are chronic diseases that can cause pain anywhere in the abdomen. The disease usually causes loose, sometimes bloody stools. Constipation : Constipation occurs when the patient himself notices that he has less bowel movements than the previous days and the stools will be very hard. Irritable bowel syndrome: This syndrome can cause pain in the lower abdomen, but also in other areas of the abdomen including the upper left area. In particular, it can also cause bloating, and discomfort. The pain is intermittent and often accompanied by diarrhea or constipation.

2.3 Due to shingles The nature of the pain is a stabbing or burning sensation. The abdomen is the most common site of the rash in shingles. Some people experience pain before the rash appears, others may continue to experience pain after the rash has stopped (postherpetic neuralgia).
2.4 Kidney stones and left kidney infection Pain in kidney disease usually occurs in the left abdomen or back, however the pain can spread to the abdomen anteriorly.
Kidney stones can cause severe abdominal pain (usually in the back) at the same time as a ureteral movement, lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Urine may contain blood.
Kidney infection can cause pain in the urinary tract, potentially causing pain from the lower back, spreading to the front, left upper abdomen, or down to the lower abdomen. Accompanying symptoms may include fever, pain when urinating, or increased urination.
2.5 Pain from the aorta The aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to the body, transporting blood from the heart, through the middle of the abdomen, bringing blood down to other areas of the body.
In some people, the aorta can bulge causing a leak or rupture. If there is an aortic fistula, the person will feel pain in the abdomen or back. If the aorta is ruptured, the pain will be very severe, often in the abdomen, back or chest requiring immediate medical intervention.
2.6 Due to pancreatic problems The pancreas can become inflamed during illness. pancreatitis, which causes pain in the upper abdomen, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, and fever. Tumors in the pancreas can also have similar painful symptoms.
2.7 Due to lung problems Abnormalities in the lower part of the lungs can affect the upper part of the abdomen, where they are separated only by the diaphragm. The cause of pain can be an infection such as pneumonia or pleurisy. In addition, there are other symptoms such as cough, fever, or pain when breathing.
2.8 Heart problems Heart abnormalities often cause pain in the chest that is closer to the abdomen. So you may feel the pain located in the upper abdomen. Cardiac abnormalities include:
Angina : Pain occurs with exertion and subsides with rest. Myocardial infarction: The pain comes on suddenly and feels like pressure, which may radiate down the left arm or up the chin. The patient may experience discomfort and/or difficulty breathing, requiring immediate medical attention. Pericarditis: An inflammation of the lining of the heart, usually only pain in the chest, accompanied by fever. 2.9 Due to muscle mass problems Muscle strains or sprains can also affect the abdomen after abnormal activity or overtraining. In that case, moving the affected muscle group will make the pain worse, instead to relieve the pain you should stay still.

If the pain is not too severe, and is not accompanied by other symptoms such as bleeding, you can completely treat yourself at home to relieve the pain, by doing some of the following:
Drink enough water to Make sure the body is not dehydrated. If you have a medical condition that requires limiting your fluid intake, consult your doctor to find out how much water to drink. Bringing your body temperature back to normal also helps improve your pain. Applying heat with an ice pack or hot water bottle can help ease the pain. Use some medications such as: Pain relievers (please consult your doctor before use). Activated charcoal and drugs with similar ingredients for bloating. Drugs that decrease motility. Medicines for diarrhea.

If the pain persists for no apparent reason, instead of subjectively using home remedies, it is best to seek the help of a doctor. Signs that require immediate medical attention include:
Vomiting blood or coughing up blood. Black stools (blood in the stool is suspected). Vomiting continuously. The pain gets worse over time. Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, difficulty breathing. Unexplained weight loss. Fever, chills, night sweats. When you have left-sided abdominal pain above the navel, take some measures to relieve the pain mentioned above and monitor the progression of the pain. If the pain persists and interferes with daily activities, it is necessary to see a doctor soon to find out the exact cause of the left upper abdominal pain above the navel, from which timely intervention measures can be taken.