What To Know and Do About Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) Pain...

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Medically reviewed by Amelia MacIntyre, DOMedically reviewed by Amelia MacIntyre, DOThe left upper quadrant (LUQ) is the left upper abdominal region, starting from the chest's middle line to the left side of the ribcage and down to the level of the navel (belly button). Pain in this body region can be mild or severe, depending on the underlying cause.Pain in the LUQ may be due to digestive issues or conditions related to organs in that abdominal region, such as the spleen. Mild issues like indigestion and constipation often resolve within days, but more severe illnesses and conditions, such as pneumonia and kidney problems, may require more complex and urgent treatment.Left upper quadrant pain can be debilitating without treatment. The underlying cause may progress to severe and, in some cases, life-threatening complications. Understanding potential causes can help you determine when to seek urgent medical attention.What Organs Are in the Left Upper Quadrant?Organs associated with the left upper quadrant include:Kidney: The left kidney is in the left upper quadrant, below the rib cage and behind the liver. This bean-shaped organ is important for removing waste from the body and maintaining a healthy balance of water, minerals, and salt.Spleen: The spleen is a small organ behind the left rib cage, next to the stomach. Its functions include filtering blood, controlling blood cell levels, and fighting infections. Pancreas: The body and tail of the pancreas are located in the left upper quadrant, close to the spleen. It produces digestive enzymes and the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.Stomach: The stomach holds food and breaks it down before passing it into the small intestine. Its largest part is located in the LUQ. This includes the body of the stomach and the cardia, where food in the esophagus passes down into the stomach.Adrenal gland: The adrenal gland weighs about 5 grams (g) and is located above the kidney. It secretes essential hormones, including cortisol, and plays a significant role in regulating water balance, metabolism, and the immune system.Left lung: The lungs are the primary respiratory (breathing) organs and are located in the chest cavity. The left lung is in the LUQ, close to the heart.Liver: The liver is located below the diaphragm, mainly in the right upper quadrant. However, the left lobe of this organ extends into the left upper quadrant. The liver is involved in digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and immunity, among other functions.Some parts of the colon: The colon (large intestine) is part of the digestive tract. It's responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes and processing indigestible food materials. The colon's transverse section lies horizontally, and the splenic flexure (where the colon curves sharply beneath the lower end of the spleen) is located in the LUQ.The heart's apex: The heart is located in the center of the chest but leans toward the left. It pumps blood and oxygen throughout the body.How Left Upper Quadrant Pain PresentsLeft upper quadrant pain may present differently for different people. It may feel like:Pain or discomfort under the left ribs or by the sidePain in the middle of the stomach that may feel worse when lying down or after eatingCramping sensationsA squeezing sensation or uncomfortable pressure on the chestBloatingPain that occurs in spasmsSevere pain that seems to radiate to the back or down the lower part of the abdomenPain accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, constipation, and indigestionPotential CausesMore common causes of left upper quadrant pain include GERD, stomach ulcers, and kidney infections.Musculoskeletal PainA pulled or strained muscle can cause pain in the left upper quadrant. Abdominal muscles in that area include:External intercostal muscles (between the ribs)Rectus abdominus (between the ribs and the pubic bone)External obliques (toward the side)A muscle strain will be tender to the touch during a physical examination. Swelling and discoloration or bruising are other symptoms.Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a medical condition characterized by the backflow of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. It usually occurs due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter—the ring of muscle (valve) at the lower end of the esophagus that opens to allow food into the stomach and closes after food has passed through.GERD commonly causes a type of painful sensation in the chest called heartburn. Other common symptoms include:Food regurgitationNausea and vomitingLoss of appetiteDifficulty swallowing foodStomach Ulcers and Stomach CancerStomach ulcers commonly cause gnawing or burning pain in the stomach area. The pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours and may travel from the middle of the stomach to the neck, radiate to the back, or radiate down toward the belly button.Stomach cancer can also cause pain in the upper abdomen, in addition to symptoms like acid reflux and bloating.Kidney Conditions and InfectionsKidney conditions like kidney stones can cause side or back abdominal pain on the side of the affected kidney. Kidney stones are small, hard crystal deposits that collect on the kidney. They're formed from waste products in the blood. The symptom may occur as sudden, severe pain on one side, lasting about 20-60 minutes and radiating to the lower abdomen.Kidney infection is a form of urinary tract infection that can cause potentially serious complications, such as kidney scarring and kidney failure if left untreated. Symptoms include side, back, or groin pain, fever or chills, and frequent painful urination.Pancreatitis and Pancreatic CancerPancreatitis is an infection of the pancreas gland that leads to inflammation. Pancreatic cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the pancreas. Pain in the upper left side of the abdomen is one of the primary symptoms of pancreatitis. It may present differently in people with acute (sudden) and chronic (long-term) pancreatitis.People with acute pancreatitis tend to look and feel very sick and require urgent medical attention. Their pain may last for several days, while those with chronic pancreatitis may experience pain that becomes constant and severe over time and becomes worse after eating.Pancreatic cancer can cause debilitating pain in the abdominal area and the back region. This could be due to inflammation, tissue damage, or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct.Heart Attack and AnginaHeart attacks, also called myocardial infarction, occur when part of the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood supply, leading to the death of that muscle tissue. Angina is the medical term for the chest pain or discomfort a person feels when their heart muscle is not receiving enough blood. This often signals a heart attack.Heart attack pain could be felt on the left side of the chest and may last more than a few minutes or occur intermittently. It may also feel like squeezing, uncomfortable pressure, or fullness in the chest.Pneumonia and PleurisyPneumonia and pleurisy are conditions that affect the lungs. In pneumonia, one or both lungs are infected and may be filled with pus or fluid. Pleurisy occurs when the two thin layers of tissues that separate the lungs from the chest walls are inflamed, causing chest pain. Pneumonia can also cause stabbing or sharp pain on any side of the chest. The pain worsens when coughing or breathing deeply. Other symptoms of pneumonia and pleurisy include:Persistent coughDifficulty breathingFeverSweatingShortness of breathGenerally feeling unwellOther Potential Causes of Left Upper Quadrant PainSeveral other conditions can cause pain in the upper left side of the abdomen or chest, including:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract characterized by symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This describes conditions that cause chronic inflammation of tissues in the digestive system tract. IBD typically presents with symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and blood in stool.Broken ribs: This may be caused by traumatic or severe injury.Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen): This may be caused by infections, certain cancers, or increased pressure in the portal vein, which carries blood to the liver. Abdominal symptoms are often vague but may include localized pain near the spleen.Constipation and indigestion: Constipation occurs when there is infrequent bowel movement and discomfort when passing stool. It can also be a symptom of indigestion. Referred pain: Pain felt in the left upper quadrant might result from an injury or a problem in another part of the body. For instance, an inflammation of the appendix, a blind-ended hollow tube typically located in the right lower quadrant, can, on rare occasions, cause LUQ pain.When To See a Healthcare ProviderIt’s always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider if you experience pain in your chest or abdominal area, especially if the pain:Is persistentDoes not get better within 24-48 hoursWorsens over timeIs severeIs accompanied by other symptomsAffects your daily lifeDiagnosisThe diagnosis of left upper quadrant pain often begins with your healthcare provider discussing your symptoms. They will need to understand when the pain started and exactly how it feels. They will likely take your family and medical history into account.Following this, you will typically undergo a physical examination, during which they may ask you to lie down on a table so they can examine the area of your abdomen that hurts.They may order tests like the following:Blood test: A blood test can check elements like your complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes, hormones, and certain proteins. It can help diagnose infections, tumors, and conditions related to glands in the LUQ.Urinalysis: A urine test examines the microscopic, visual, and chemical aspects of urine. It can detect conditions like kidney disease and UTIs.Imaging tests: Imaging tests are helpful when diagnosing causes of left upper quadrant pain. This includes tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, X-rays, and computed tomography (CT) scans, which provide detailed images of tissues and organs in the body.Endoscopy: This involves using an endoscope (a flexible tool with light on the end) to examine or collect tissues from inside the body for further testing.Biopsy: If your healthcare provider suspects the pain in your LUQ may be associated with cancer, they may recommend a biopsy (taking a tissue sample and examining it under a microscope). In most cases, a biopsy is the only way to tell for sure if a person has cancer.Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): This non-invasive test measures your heart's electrical activity. A provider will likely order it if you have pain in or near your upper chest area, especially if they suspect your pain has a cardiac-related cause.Treating Left Upper Quadrant PainLeft upper quadrant pain treatment depends on the underlying cause and accompanying symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend:Medications: This may include over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relieving medications and antacids for milder GI symptoms, as well as prescription medications like antibiotics and antiviral medications for infections.Staying hydrated: This can help relieve or manage issues like constipation, kidney stones, and kidney infection (a urinary tract infection, or UTI).Surgical procedure: LUQ pain due to situations like severe broken ribs or tumors may require a surgical procedure.Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: These are treatment options for cancer-related conditions like pancreatic and stomach cancer.Lifestyle and dietary adjustments: This may include exercising regularly, reducing stress, sleeping in a certain position (e.g., more upright), waiting a certain amount of time after eating to lie down, and avoiding certain foods.A Quick ReviewLeft upper quadrant pain is pain felt on the left side of the chest or upper abdomen. Possible causes include damage or infection of organs located in this area of the body.Consider seeking medical attention if you experience LUQ pain, especially with accompanying symptoms like fever, gastrointestinal discomfort, and general illness. Healthcare providers can make a diagnosis to determine the underlying cause of such pain before recommending treatment options. For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.

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