Left-sided abdominal pain can be caused by numerous conditions. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, abdominal pain can emerge from any of the abdominal structures or the abdominal wall. Abdominal pain can also originate in other parts of the body, such as the chest, back and pelvis, and occur in different areas of the abdomen. Sometimes pain is concentrated on the left side of the abdomen and is caused by left-sided abdominal structures.
Splenic Infarction
Splenic infarction can cause left-sided abdominal pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, splenic infarction is the death or necrosis of spleen tissue. Splenic infarction occurs when the major splenic artery, the blood vessel that delivers blood to the spleen, or any of its branches become blocked or occluded. The NIH states that the most common causes of splenic infarction are blood clots or emboli that arise in the heart, infections such as endocarditis and blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
According to Ramzi S. Cotran, M.D., and colleagues, authors of the textbook "Pathologic Basis of Disease," spleen-related infarcts can be large or small, multiple or single and may sometimes involve the entire organ. Although some cases of splenic infarction may not produce symptoms, the most common splenic infarction-related symptom is pain in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis can cause left-sided abdominal pain. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, states that diverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula, which are pouches found in the intestinal wall, become inflamed or infected. According to the NIDDK, diverticulitis is most common in the sigmoid colon, which is the lower part of the large intestine and is located in the left lower abdomen.
MayoClinic.com states that common signs and symptoms associated with diverticulitis include sudden, severe pain that's localized in the lower left abdominal quadrant, abdominal tenderness, changes in bowel habits, fever, nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. The NIDDK reports that several complications may be caused by diverticulitis, including infections, tears or perforations in the intestinal wall and obstruction of the colon.
Splenic Rupture
Splenic rupture can cause left-sided abdominal pain. According to MayoClinic.com, a ruptured spleen can also cause life-threatening internal bleeding. The most common cause of a ruptured spleen is trauma, such as a blow to the abdomen or lower left rib cage during an assault, sporting event or motor vehicle accident.
Possible signs and symptoms associated with a splenic rupture include left-sided abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, lightheadedness, confusion, blurred vision and fainting. If blood leaks into the abdomen, it can act as an irritant and cause pain, too. The Merck Manuals state that traumatic injuries of the spleen can tear its covering, the tissue inside or both. Splenic tears or ruptures can be small or large, depending on the forces that caused the injury.
