Feeling pain in the left side of the body can be a sign of inflammation in one of the organs located there. The left side has the following organs from below the rib cage to the hip: the lower end of the heart, the left lung, the stomach, part of the liver, the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the spleen, parts of the small and large intestines, the left kidney, and the left side of reproductive organs, which are the left ovary and the left Fallopian tube with part of the uterus in women, and the left testicle in men.

Unless you have situs inversus totalis, which involves complete transposition (right to left reversal) of the thoracic and abdominal organs, pain in the left side will never point to  appendicitis. What it will mean though could be any of the following: inflammation of the stomach, the spleen, the left lung, the kidney, the ovary, or the left side of the intestines.

The pain can be either a dull ache or a sharp stabbing pain. It can also be felt either in front or at the back. It may be above the midsection, in the midsection, or below the midsection. The exact location of the pain is important in finding the organ that is inflamed.

Pancreatitis

The pancreas mainly produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which play an important role in maintaining the blood glucose levels. Deficiency of insulin can increase blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes.

Pancreatitis is a common health problem. It has two types: acute and chronic. For acute pancreatitis, the pain is sharp and short-lived, and most often, severe. The pain may spread to the back or below the left shoulder blade. Acute pancreatitis is mainly caused by gallstones, gallbladder disease, and alcoholism. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a result of prolonged alcohol abuse.

Stomach Ulcer

The stomach is nestled on the left side of the abdomen. Pain in the left side may mean you have stomach ulcer. There may be a hole in the lining of your stomach or the duodenum. The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer, which is also known as dyspepsia, are severe burning pain and discomfort in the abdominal area, nausea, vomiting food or vomiting blood, and belching. In gastric ulcer, the pain is usually experienced shortly after meals, while in duodenal ulcer, the pain is experienced between meals or when on an empty stomach. The pain usually fades by eating or by taking antacids.

Ovulation Pain

Women ovulate once a month and they do not usually feel the bursting of the egg cell from the ovary. However, there are a few sensitive women who feel pain – from mild to severe – whenever they ovulate. This pain is called ovulation pain, or also known as Mittelschmerz (German for “middle pain”) or midcycle pain. It is a lower-abdominal pain that is felt near the time when a woman ovulates. The pain can take place on either side of the body, or just stay on one side.

Other Possible Causes

Generally, the most common medical problem on the right side is appendicitis, while on the left it is pancreatitis. Obviously there are so many possible causes for abdominal pain. Having it on the left side only indicates the location of the organ or the area of inflammation. There is no particular reason why the left side should hurt. It will hurt as much as when it’s on the right side. When the pain is severe, or if it’s chronic, then it is always better to go to the doctor and have a thorough check-up.