Abdominal pain, felt at some point by almost everyone, occurs as a symptom of many different diseases and disorders. The abdomen, which spans from the chest to the pelvis, contains the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, gallbladder, liver and appendix. To determine the cause of abdominal pain, it is important to know exactly in which part of the abdomen the pain occurs. Abdominal pain, especially left upper abdominal pain, can occur due to organs outside the abdomen such as the heart.
Enlarged Spleen
An enlarged spleen, medically known as splenomegaly, occurs due to infections, a low level of red blood cells--known as anemia--and some cancers. The spleen, a small organ found just below the rib cage on the left side, filters the blood. The spleen contains immune cells, including B cells, T cells and macrophages, that capture foreign invaders and produce antibodies to protect the body. In addition to aiding the immune system, the spleen filters out old red blood cells and stores blood and platelets.
Although many with an enlarged spleen remain unaware of the condition, some experience symptoms. Symptoms include pain in the upper left side of the abdomen, which often radiates to the left shoulder, and a feeling of fullness after ingesting small amounts of food due to the spleen pushing on the stomach. An enlarged spleen stores more blood. This results in an increase not only in size, but also in symptoms, including anemia, frequent infections and slower clotting, notes MayoClinc.com.
Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis, a condition that affects infants usually between the ages of 3 to 6 weeks, occurs due to a narrowing of the pyloris--the lower part of the stomach leading to the small intestine. As the pyloris muscle thickens due to unknown causes, food cannot pass into the small intestine, interfering with digestion. Pyloric stenosis affects 3 out of every 1,000 live births, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The most noticeable symptom is projectile vomiting with pain felt in the upper left abdomen. Because pyloric stenosis can cause dehydration, weight loss and lethargy, prompt treatment is required.
Heart Attack
Approximately 1.1 million people in the United States experience a heart attack each year, with over half of those resulting in death, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. A heart attack occurs when the heart fails to receive enough oxygen, causing cells to die. If left untreated a heart attack can cause permanent heart damage due to the buildup of scar tissue.
The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort known as angina. Angina feels like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the left upper abdominal region, since the heart lies slightly to the left of the breastbone, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and fainting.
