Many people often experience periodic or even constant pain in the left hypochondrium from the back. Under no circumstances should it be left without due attention, because such uncomfortable sensations often indicate various serious malfunctions in the functioning of several systems and internal organs of the body. A similar symptom is observed in cases of disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, heart and vascular diseases. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you should not delay visiting a doctor, be sure to undergo an examination, find out the cause of the pain and start treatment in a timely manner.
Diseases of the stomach and other gastrointestinal organs
The causes of the symptom include conditions such as exacerbation or strangulation of a hernia, perforation of an ulcer. These pathologies are accompanied by tachycardia, shortness of breath, soreness and pallor of the skin, and possible loss of consciousness from acute pain.
Similar symptoms are observed with peritonitis, in which an increase in temperature is possible. But there are other, less serious pathologies:
- gastritis;
- stomach ulcer;
- pancreatitis.
Some intestinal pathologies also cause unpleasant symptoms and may be congenital:
- Colitis and enteritis. Point and extensive inflammation of the mucous membrane, accompanied by vomiting, constant pain and diarrhea. They can be caused by lactase deficiency, gluten intolerance, and poisoning.
- Crohn's disease. Severe autoimmune pathology, which causes symptoms of other diseases: loose stools, acute pain, vomiting and nausea.
Many gastrointestinal diseases develop throughout life and, without treatment, lead to chronic pain as well as dangerous surgical conditions.
Bladder and kidney diseases
With diseases of the bladder, symptoms such as pain and burning appear, almost always radiating to the back. Blood also appears in the urine, which indicates organ cancer. However, most often the symptoms appear with hernia, cystitis, urolithiasis, syphilis and tuberculosis.
Among kidney pathologies, inflammation is widespread - pyelonephritis, which is accompanied by pain, fever, changes in urine outflow, nausea and severe weakness.
Spine pathologies
Spinal diseases can also cause unpleasant symptoms. The most common cause is osteochondrosis of the lumbar or thoracic region. Additional symptoms include:
- pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades;
- difficulty breathing;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract and heart.
Very often, gastritis and reflux develop against the background of osteochondrosis.
Pathologies of the respiratory system and diaphragm
Pleurisy, bronchitis and pneumonia are the main diseases in which pain may appear in the hypochondrium, radiating to the back, especially when the source of inflammation is located lower in the left side of the sternum. A cough also appears, in which the symptoms intensify, the temperature rises, and shortness of breath occurs.
A hiatal hernia is a pathology in which the opening widens and part of the stomach and esophagus comes out through it. Burning pain, heartburn, and belching appear. If a hernia is strangulated, severe pain can occur. Most often, pathology occurs in overweight people, during pregnancy and during periods of intense physical activity.
Causes of pain in the left hypochondrium
In the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left, which is limited by the lower ribs, there are several important internal organs:
- Intestines.
- Left kidney and ureter.
- Spleen.
- Pancreas.
- Left side of the stomach.
The cause of pain and spasms are all kinds of changes in the functioning of any of the organs mentioned above. Discomfortable sensations appear in the abdomen and back, and can be felt in other parts of the body. The pain syndrome itself is also very diverse: it can be sharp, dull, burning, aching, etc. It can be difficult for the patient himself to clearly understand which specific organ is suffering and how exactly the situation can be corrected.
Therefore, it is impossible to do without qualified assistance from medical workers in this matter. However, it is useful to know some characteristic symptoms of common pathologies so as not to aggravate the problem.
Intercostal neuralgia as a cause
Neuralgia is a pathology that can be hidden behind a colossal number of symptoms. It is based on pinched intercostal nerves, which can be caused by various pathologies.
Neuralgia pain can be moderate and severe, dull and aching, burning and cutting. It intensifies when inhaling and exhaling or coughing, as well as when pressing on the chest, back or spine. During attacks, muscle twitching, increased sweating and changes in skin color are possible.
A specific sign of pathology is constant twitching in different places on the left side. Sometimes symptoms are confused with heart disease, but taking nitroglycerin does not provide relief in these cases. As neuralgia develops, numbness occurs in the area of nerve damage.
Causes and types of pain under the left shoulder blade from behind from the back
The reasons for the development of this pathology are different, they have their own symptoms. Pain on the left side under the shoulder blade from the back is characterized by the following sensations:
- acute;
- dull;
- pulling;
- piercing;
- shooting.
Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back can be of the same type or alternating. There are times when one type of discomfort gives way to another, for example, stabbing turns into shooting. The pathology is caused by various injuries and their consequences, disorders of the musculoskeletal system:
- rib damage – discomfort is felt throughout the shoulder;
- osteoporosis, arthritis – affects the neck and shoulders in addition to the shoulder blade;
- Disc displacement – pain causes spinal canal stenosis;
- wear (aging) of the skeletal system - unpleasant sensations in the scapula area can occur when the bone structure changes in old age;
- bursitis - the formation of exudate due to inflammation of the periarticular bursa also causes pain;
- tear of the rotator cuff - sharp, acute pain in the area of the left shoulder blade from the back with the inability to rotate the arm indicates a violation of the shoulder muscles or tendons responsible for coordinating the shoulder joint;
- dislocation - discomfort in the left side of the back may be a consequence of dislocation of the collarbone or shoulder joint;
- nerve damage - pinching of the dorsal scapular nerve is also characterized by painful sensations in the back (under the left shoulder blade).
Referring back pain in the area of the shoulder blades on the left is considered a signal indicating the following pathologies:
- abscess pneumonia;
- acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa;
- focal pneumonia;
- pulmonary pleurisy;
- stomach ulcer;
- esophageal spasm;
- pancreatitis;
- gastroreflux.
Heart disease may be another reason why a patient has back pain on the left side under the shoulder blade:
- heart attack;
- pericarditis;
- angina pectoris;
- mitral valve prolapse.
In addition, it causes discomfort and pain under the left shoulder blade from the back - increased muscle tone:
- poor posture;
- uncomfortable position while sleeping;
- neck muscle strain.
Only a visit to a specialist will help to correctly determine the causes of a burning sensation under the left shoulder blade from the back.
Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system
Pain above the left shoulder blade from the back can occur with problems with the lower respiratory tract (bronchi, lungs, pleura). The main cause of respiratory pathologies are considered to be diseases provoked by pathogenic viruses and bacteria:
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- pleurisy.
New growths in the lungs or bronchi can also cause a burning sensation under the left shoulder blade from the back.
Pleurisy of the lungs
Increased pain under the left shoulder blade at the back when coughing, breathing or sneezing is characteristic of dry pleurisy. The process occurs with an increase in temperature (up to 38°C), a feeling of general weakness, sweating, headaches, as well as aching pain in the muscles and joints.
Pneumonia
If the left back hurts under the shoulder blade for a long time, this may be a sign of pneumonia. Its symptoms are similar to pleurisy and are often accompanied by the following signs:
- bloody clots in saliva;
- wet cough (less often dry);
- lack of oxygen;
- elevated body temperature (37.5°C – 37.9°C).
Gastrointestinal tract
One of the most common causes of scapular back pain is diseases of the digestive system, especially peptic ulcers and pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis
Back pain under the left shoulder blade, which is based on pancreatitis, is not observed so often. They usually occur in parallel with lower back pain and convulsive contractions. They appear unexpectedly in the area of the heart, chest, or back.
Peptic ulcer
When a peptic ulcer develops, a person experiences belching or heartburn. A significant proportion of patients (about 75%) feel relief after vomiting, which is caused by significant pain with preliminary nausea. Initially, discomfort is observed in the epistragal region, and then the pain can spread to the left side (nipple, sternum, back). Often, increased pain occurs after eating.
The cardiovascular system
Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back is not considered a sign characterizing a specific disease, but malfunctions in the cardiovascular system are considered one of the important factors. The main diseases characterized by these symptoms include: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm, hypertensive crisis and pericarditis.
Angina pectoris
With angina pectoris, a person experiences acute left-sided subscapular pain from the back, to relieve which nitroglycerin is used. An attack of angina pectoris can be caused by physical exertion, psychophysical factors, hypothermia, overeating and drinking a significant amount of alcohol.
Myocardial infarction
The characteristic pain under the shoulder blade on the left back from the back can be caused by a complete lack of coronary blood supply to one of the areas of the myocardium due to blockage of the vessel. The causes of a heart attack are:
- atherosclerosis;
- thrombosis.
When a blood clot (plaque) breaks off, it enters the heart with the blood flow and, once in the small-diameter coronary arteries, they block the vessel and interrupt the delivery of blood to the tissues. With a lack of oxygen, the process of death of myocardial cells begins.
Symptoms of myocardial infarction include sharp and throbbing pain concentrated in the left side of the sternum. Distributed in the area:
- left hand;
- shoulder blades;
- lower jaw.
It is impossible to relieve pain during a heart attack with analgesics, and nitroglycerin can only slightly reduce pain.
Aortic aneurysm
In half of cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm, there are no signs of disease in the early stages. Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm, its size and the presence (absence) of dissection. In addition to pain in the scapula area from the back, the following complaints are possible:
- discomfort in the left side of the back, neck, lower jaw;
- chest pain;
- cough, hoarseness, difficulty breathing.
May be accompanied by signs of heart failure due to heart failure. Symptoms may occur unexpectedly and include sharp pain in the chest and left side of the back.
Hypertensive crisis
Contrary to popular belief, a hypertensive crisis is not characterized by any standard blood pressure numbers; they are purely individual. In addition to the sign that the patient has colitis under the left shoulder blade from the back, the symptoms of a hypertensive crisis include:
- headache in the back of the head;
- pulsation in temples;
- shortness of breath;
- nausea and vomiting;
- vision problems;
- skin redness;
- increase in diastolic blood pressure values above 110-120 mm Hg. Art.
When a hypertensive crisis occurs, the risk of complications from a number of systems and organs, the central nervous system, etc. increases.
Pericarditis
Patients may present with symptoms of inflammation (acute pericarditis) or signs of fluid collection (pleural effusion). They vary depending on the degree of inflammation and the volume of pericardial fluid. In acute pericarditis, pain occurs on the left side under the scapula from the back, in the chest, and sometimes shortness of breath is noted. The first manifestation may also be tamponade with the development of hypotension, shock or pulmonary edema.
Musculoskeletal system
Various destructive pathologies in the spine and bones can cause back pain under the left shoulder blade. In addition, these include: intercostal neuralgia, osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia.
Intercostal neuralgia
Pain in the back in the area of the shoulder blades on the left with neuralgia has its own characteristics, for example, it intensifies during physical activity, and the pain point can be determined by palpation. Neuralgia pain is long-lasting and cannot be minimized with nitroglycerin.
Osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is often a common cause of pain under the shoulder blade on the left side of the back and is characterized by the following symptoms:
- muscle spasms, numbness;
- development of dizziness;
- the appearance of “goosebumps” (paresthesia);
- frequent headaches.
Intervertebral hernia
A herniation occurs when the annulus fibrosus surrounding the intervertebral disc ruptures, resulting in displacement of the disc core. Symptoms of a herniated disc depend on its location. The most important symptom of a herniated disc is pain in the left side of the back, which increases exponentially when moving or lifting heavy objects.
Psychosomatic diseases
One of the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade from the back can be considered psychosomatic diseases. Not every specialist will be able to recognize this disease and its true causes, since they often do not have special features. Different organ systems can have a direct relationship with the dynamics of the patient’s mental state:
- Gastrointestinal tract;
- vascular-cardiac system;
- nervous system;
- immunity.
Treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade from behind from the back in psychosomatic diseases occurs without the use of traditional therapy. In such cases, it is important to establish psychological motives and carry out treatment with a psychotherapeutic focus.
Spleen disorders
There are many organ diseases that cause unpleasant symptoms on the left side. They are associated with high fragility of the spleen. Often the organ hurts in people with an obese physique. Main pathologies:
- Increase. Fixed in mononucleosis and some other infectious lesions. Accompanied by muscle pain, intoxication, enlarged liver and lymph nodes, fever.
- Hypertrophy. The disorder is associated with increased work of the organ, which can be caused by infections, hemolytic anemia and immune pathologies.
However, pain can be a consequence of injury, because this organ is extremely sensitive. Tumors, infiltration and other congenital defects also lead to acute pain.
If cyanosis appears in the navel area, and the pain is unbearable and radiates to the back, you need to call an ambulance. These symptoms indicate organ rupture.
When emergency help is required
An ambulance should be called immediately if a person has: in the back under the ribs on the left:
- Suddenly a sharp pain appeared.
- There is a dull pain accompanied by hemoptysis.
- Watch the video to know how to call an ambulance correctly:
- The aching pain becomes more and more intense.
- Acute pain does not stop for half an hour and increases when a person changes position.
- The child began to feel pain.
For relief, the patient can apply a cold compress to the pain site. Subsequent treatment depends on the underlying disease that caused pain in the back under the ribs. In each situation, therapy is selected individually, taking into account the patient’s well-being and the clinical picture of the disease. The occurrence of pain in the back under the ribs on the left side is a dangerous sign, which often indicates diseases of various vital internal organs or body systems. If you feel pain, you should definitely seek advice from a specialist without self-medicating.
Heart diseases
Burning pain on the left is often associated with pathologies of the cardiovascular system. The following additional symptoms appear:
- burning under the left nipple or in the center of the sternum;
- rapid heartbeat;
- nausea and shortness of breath.
These symptoms include: pathologies of the coronary arteries, cardiac ischemia, cardiomyopathy. In the latter case, the person may not have problems with pulse and blood pressure.
Types of pain
Pain on the left under the ribs can manifest itself in different ways, for example:
- Sudden.
- Shingles.
- Chronic, little noticeable.
Pain that occurs sharply under the left ribs signals an inflammatory process in the duodenum, with a malfunction of the digestive tract. So, with a stomach ulcer, the strength of the pain forces you to bend over, wrapping your arms around your stomach. An ulcer is characterized by symptoms such as bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, hunger, headaches, and irritability. The girdle nature of the pain indicates the probable presence of stones in the bladder, pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy or ruptured spleen. In such cases, urgent hospitalization is indicated.
Features of pain in women
In women, pain radiating to the back is not always associated with pathologies. This may be a consequence of premenstrual syndrome, in which pain often radiates to the lower back. Similar sensations are observed during pregnancy as the fetus enlarges, which leads to the expansion of bones and sprained ligaments.
Among the pathologies are:
- spasm of the bile ducts caused by the production of hormones before menstruation;
- ovarian pathologies;
- ectopic pregnancy.
In these cases, the pain is localized in the area just below the hypochondrium and may radiate to the lower back.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis and treatment of painful sensations located on the left are carried out by doctors such as: surgeon, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, traumatologist, cardiologist. For initial diagnosis, you can contact a therapist.
To identify pathologies that cause pain in the hypochondrium on the left side, extending under the scapula, the following methods are used:
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and chest;
- laparoscopy followed by biopsy;
- fibrogastroscopy;
- urine and blood analysis, including biochemical.
If it is difficult to make a diagnosis, CT and MRI are used.
Lung diseases
Lung diseases such as pneumonia, pleurisy, tuberculosis due to inflammation and damage to organ tissue by infections and bacteria cause pain in the front and back of the chest, which radiates to the hypochondrium.
Pathologies of the respiratory organs
If a person has pain closer to the back, in the lumbar region, then he may have pathologies of the respiratory system. He may be sick:
- Pleurisy.
- Pneumonia.
- Pneumothorax.
- Cancer of the bronchi and lungs.
With respiratory pathologies, pain may not be severe, but over time its intensity increases. Often the patient complains of pain during movement, wheezing in the lung tissues, cutting pain under the left rib, which intensifies during coughing.
The pain syndrome may intensify during inspiration; when the patient exhales, the pain decreases. Frequent pain indicates oncological processes with metastases to neighboring organs and tissues, with the formation of large necrotic foci. For pain on the side, impaired respiratory or heart rhythm, the patient requires inpatient treatment
Treatment options
There are many ways to treat pathologies that cause pain in the left hypochondrium. In most cases, medications are used:
- NSAIDs to relieve symptoms while treating the cause of the disease;
- muscle relaxants - used for neuralgia to relax and release pinched nerves;
- chondroprotectors – restore cartilage;
- vitamins strengthen the body;
- diuretics;
- drug blockades - aimed at eliminating acute pain.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are very effective in the fight against pain in any disease: mud therapy, UHF, laser therapy, electrophoresis. They are used both for gastrointestinal pathologies and for disorders of the musculoskeletal system.