Cases where a person has pain when breathing under the ribs on the left side are not uncommon. If unpleasant sensations are regular, this indicates the development of a pathological process in the body. It is necessary to pay attention to what other symptoms appear, in addition to pain when breathing on the left. This will help determine the cause. Most of them require immediate medical attention.
Diaphragm pathology
This is the main respiratory muscle, which conditionally separates the chest and abdominal cavity. As a rule, the cause of pain on the left under the ribs in front during inspiration is a diaphragmatic hernia, during the development of which the lower part of the stomach moves upward due to an increase in the lumen of the esophagus.
This pathological condition may occur against the background of:
- regular high-intensity physical activity;
- pregnancy;
- chronic constipation;
- overweight;
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- diseasesrespiratory organs.
A diaphragmatic hernia is a serious ailment, the danger of which lies in the fact that over time, the functioning of the digestive system, heart and lungs is increasingly disrupted.
Main symptoms of the disease:
- Aching pain on the left under the ribs when inhaling air. It is permanent.
- Frequent episodes of regurgitation (practically after every meal).
- Heartburn.
- Burp air.
- Difficulty swallowing food.
- Bloating.
- Cough.
- Tachycardia.
Treatment of pathology involves the use of surgical methods, during which the surgeon returns the stomach to its place and sutures the lumen of the esophagus. Conservative therapy in this case is ineffective. Medications only relieve symptoms temporarily.
Left intercostal neuralgia
This term refers to a pathological condition, the signs of which are similar to those of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. It is not dangerous in itself, but it can be a symptom of diseases that are characterized by irritation or compression of the nerves located between the ribs.
Reasons for the development of a pathological condition:
- osteochondrosis in advanced form;
- kyphosis;
- spondylitis;
- malignant neoplasms in the spine;
- intoxication of the body;
- aortic aneurysm;
- diabetes mellitus;
- multiple sclerosis;
- anomalies in the development of internal organs;
- injuries;
- hypothermia;
- stress;
- vitamin B deficiency;
- tight underwear for women.
With this form of neuralgia, unpleasant sensations can radiate to the zone of the heart, chest, shoulder blades, often when inhaling, the left side hurts under the ribs. The severity of symptoms increases with coughing, sneezing, playing sports. Pain in intercostal neuralgia is burning in nature. It becomes aching over time.
Treatment of the disease is carried out by conservative methods. The treatment regimen directly depends on the cause of the development of pathology. It is important to consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear, as only a specialist can distinguish neuralgia from angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Pain on the left under the ribs in front when inhaling may indicate the development of pleurisy or pneumonia. In the first case, the pathological process affects the lungs, in the second - the serous membrane that surrounds them.
Pneumonia is an acute infectious disease. The clinical picture and severity of symptoms directly depend on the cause, sex and age of the patient.
General symptoms of pathology:
- Increased body temperature. The rise comes sharply.
- General signs of body intoxication (weakness, rapid onset of fatigue, headache).
- Dry cough. Appears after 3-5 days. Gradually, it passes into a wet form, accompanied bysputum.
- Painful sensations in the chest, aggravated by inhalation. They can radiate to the area of the left or right hypochondrium, and the pathological process can also be bilateral.
- Shortness of breath.
Pleurisy is a disease that, as a rule, is not independent, but accompanies a number of other pathologies of the respiratory system. The disease can have both dry and exudative form.
The clinical picture of the disease directly depends on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include: pain in the left or right hypochondrium, aggravated by inhalation; reflex excruciating cough; increased body temperature; chills; weakness.
Treatment of pathology is to eliminate the underlying disease and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Pathologies of the heart
In the human body, the diaphragm is closely connected with the central organ of blood circulation. That is why, in the presence of cardiac pathologies, the process of inhaling air can be accompanied by pronounced painful sensations.
As a rule, patients in this case are diagnosed with one of the forms of cardiomyopathy. The most dangerous is dilatation, in which the heart becomes flabby and cannot fully perform its function. The causes of this pathology are unknown.
In addition to pain when breathing on the left under the ribs, patients complain of shortness of breath after performing any motor activity, dizziness, constant feeling of weakness, swelling of the lowerlimbs, sleep disturbances, frequent episodes of pre-syncope.
With cardiomyopathy, symptomatic treatment is carried out. The prognosis in the presence of the disease is usually unfavorable. Until recently, the only way out for patients was the transplantation of a donor organ. But the difficulty lies in the fact that the queue of patients is extremely impressive. At the same time, finding a donor heart is almost impossible. Stem cell therapy is currently being used in practice.
Rupture of the spleen
This is an organ located in the hypochondrium on the left side. The spleen is a kind of storage of red blood cells. It is involved in immune processes and is involved in the purification of liquid connective tissue from harmful substances.
When the spleen is ruptured, there is a stabbing pain when inhaling to the left under the ribs. Damage to the abdominal cavity occurs, blood seeps into it. Against this background, the pain when inhaling on the left under the ribs on the side increases significantly. Over time, it covers the entire abdomen. It becomes extremely difficult for a person to swallow air.
In addition to pain when inhaling under the rib on the left, the following symptoms are observed:
- cyanosis of the skin in the area of the spleen;
- chill;
- nausea turning into vomiting;
- high body temperature;
- arterial hypotension.
If there are signs of an organ rupture, you must immediately call an ambulance. But even with the timely intervention of doctors, the spleen can be saved only in 1% of cases. Concerningthe main treatment for this condition is the complete removal of the organ.
Acute pyelonephritis
If the left side hurts under the ribs when inhaling, this may indicate a pathology of the kidneys. The term "acute pyelonephritis" refers to an inflammatory process that involves the pelvicalyceal system and intermediate tissue of the organ.
The main reason for the development of the disease is the spread of infection to the kidneys from the lower urinary tract. This occurs when one or more triggers are present.
These include:
- intestinal dysbacteriosis;
- vaginal dysbiosis, an increase in its acidity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- frequent change of sexual partners (for a woman);
- increased intrarenal pressure;
- ureter strictures;
- adenoma or prostate cancer;
- calculi in the ducts through which urine is excreted from the body;
- hypothermia;
- diabetes mellitus;
- pregnancy;
- overwork;
- viral infections;
- hypovitaminosis.
If the left side of the organ is affected, the disease can be suspected if the following signs are present:
- The urge to urinate becomes more frequent. This does not excrete urine.
- When inhaling, the left side hurts under the ribs, discomfort radiates to the abdominal cavity.
- Deteriorating overall he alth.
- The body temperature rises.
- Feverish appearscondition.
- Sweating increases.
Gradually, the pain with a deep breath on the left (under the ribs) reaches its maximum peak. Its severity decreases slightly on exhalation. Coughing, sneezing, any physical activity - all this increases the intensity of painful sensations so much that a person can lose consciousness.
The key to successful treatment is the timely provision of medical care. The prognosis is considered favorable if the disease recedes against the background of taking medications. According to statistics, in 30% of patients the disease becomes chronic. At the same time, the risk of developing pathologies that pose a threat to the patient's life remains.
Osteochondrosis
Currently, this is the most common disease of the spine. In the process of its development, degenerative-dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue occur. According to statistics, about 90% of the world's population suffers from osteochondrosis.
Main causes of the development of the disease:
- malformation of the spine during fetal development;
- hereditary predisposition;
- natural aging process of the body;
- violation of phosphorus and calcium metabolism;
- unbalanced diet;
- inactive lifestyle or, on the contrary, high-intensity physical activity;
- vibrations of a long or regular nature (for example, when driving a vehicle);
- overweight;
- smoking;
- various kinds of injury;
- weakness of muscle tissue in the back;
- scoliosis;
- flat feet;
- infectious diseases;
- constantly being under stress;
- living in adverse environmental conditions;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, including models with high heels;
- pregnancy.
If, when inhaling, it pricks in the left side under the ribs, this is considered a symptom of chest osteochondrosis. In addition, a person may be disturbed by a feeling of numbness in the heart and stomach. Often the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade or shoulder. The patient also has a rapid onset of fatigue even with minimal mental and physical exertion.
In most cases, the treatment regimen for osteochondrosis includes the following items: medication, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage, traction, kinesio taping, diet.
Gastritis, gastric ulcer
Often, when inhaling, the left side hurts under the ribs when this organ of the digestive system is affected.
Under gastritis refers to inflammation of the gastric mucosa, against which the normal functioning of the latter is disrupted. The main causes of the development of the disease:
- life activity of pathogenic microorganisms Helicobacter pylori;
- unbalanced diet;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- taking certain medications (e.g. painkillers, NSAIDs);
- worm infestations;
- prolonged exposure to stress;
- hereditary predisposition;
- autoimmune diseases;
- hormonal imbalance.
There are several forms of gastritis, each with specific symptoms. In order to recognize the disease, it is necessary to pay attention to the nature of the painful sensations. Against the background of exacerbation of gastritis, when inhaling, it stabs in the left side, under the ribs. The intensity of the pain always increases after any meal, drinking alcohol, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, prolonged fasting.
Treatment of gastritis of any form is carried out using conservative methods.
A stomach ulcer is a pathology of a chronic nature, which results in trophic disorders. The change of periods of exacerbation and remission occurs very often, while relapses, as a rule, occur in spring and autumn.
Pain when inhaling in the left hypochondrium appears due to intoxication of the body. In addition, the following conditions are symptoms of peptic ulcer:
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach after every meal;
- burp;
- nausea turning into vomiting;
- constipation;
- appetite disorder;
- drastic weight loss;
- increased formation and accumulation of gases;
- excessive sweating;
- plaque on the tongue.
Treatment of pathology is complex. It includes taking medications, exercise therapy, diet therapy. In very severe casesa surgical intervention is performed, during which part of the stomach is removed.
Pathologies of the pancreas
The most common diagnosis in patients is pancreatitis. Against the background of its development, the work of the pancreas is disrupted. The disease can be both acute and chronic. In the first case, a person is concerned about pain in the region of the left hypochondrium, aggravated by inhalation; his appetite is disturbed; vomiting appears; body temperature rises; develops diarrhea or, conversely, constipation. In the chronic form, patients complain of constantly feeling unwell, nausea, and flatulence.
Treatment of pancreatitis can include both conservative and surgical methods.
In closing
If you experience pain in the left hypochondrium, which increases when you try to take a breath, you should consult a therapist. With a pronounced deterioration in well-being, it is recommended to call an ambulance team. This is due to the fact that pain during inhalation in the region of the left side under the ribs, as a rule, indicates the development of serious pathologies, most of which pose a threat not only to he alth, but also to the life of the patient.
