Left-Sided Abdominal or Chest Pain: Common Causes and When to Seek Care

Left-sided pain can originate from organs in the left upper quadrant (LUQ), left lower quadrant (LLQ), chest, or be referred from other areas. As an AI, I cannot diagnose, but here is a structured overview to discuss with a clinician.

GI Causes (LUQ/LLQ)

• Gastritis, peptic ulcer
• Diverticulitis (typically LLQ)
• Constipation, gas, IBS
• Splenic pathology (splenomegaly, rupture—LUQ, may radiate to shoulder)
• Pancreatitis (epigastric, radiates to back)

Gynecologic (Female)

• Ovarian cyst, torsion (sudden, severe)
• Ectopic pregnancy (if of reproductive age)
• Endometriosis
• PID

Urologic

• Kidney stone (flank → groin)
• UTI/pyelonephritis (flank pain, fever, urinary symptoms)

Cardiopulmonary

• Angina/MI (chest pressure, radiation to arm/jaw/back)
• Pericarditis (sharp, positional)
• Pleuritis (sharp, breathing-related)
• Pneumonia (cough, fever, pleuritic pain)
• Pulmonary embolism (sudden dyspnea, tachycardia, pleuritic pain)

Musculoskeletal

• Costochondritis (reproducible chest wall tenderness)
• Rib fracture/strain
• Thoracic radiculopathy

Red Flags → Seek Immediate Care

• Crushing chest pain, dyspnea, diaphoresis
• Syncope, hypotension
• Severe abdominal rigidity
• Hemorrhage (rectal, vaginal)
• Pregnancy with pain/bleeding

Consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation.