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Insight Horizon Media

When should I worry about upper left abdominal pain?

Author

Michael Henderson

Published Mar 04, 2026

When should I worry about upper left abdominal pain?

Some of the causes of pain in the upper left abdomen may be treated at home, but others can be life threatening. So it’s important to contact your doctor if your pain is unexplained, persistent, or severe — even if you don’t think it’s serious.

Why is my left upper abdomen paining me?

Pain in the upper abdomen can often be attributed to temporary problems such as indigestion or gas. Persistent or severe upper abdominal pain may be related to other digestive tract conditions or to conditions of the body wall, blood vessels, kidneys, heart, or lungs.

What organ is in your upper left abdomen?

Organs in the left upper quadrant include the stomach, spleen, left portion of the liver, main body of the pancreas, the left portion of the kidney, adrenal glands, splenix flexure of the colon, and bottom part of the colon.

Can gallbladder cause left side pain under ribs?

The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is pain, called biliary colic, which occurs in the upper abdomen, near the rib cage.

Can you get a hernia in your upper left abdomen?

Epigastric hernias are lumps or bulges that occur in the upper part of the abdominal wall – in an area known as the epigastrium, which is above the navel and just below the breastbone. Epigastric hernias can be present from birth.

What organ is under left ribcage?

Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen.

Why do I have a sharp pain on my left side under my ribs?

Costochondritis refers to the inflammation of the cartilage which connects your ribs to your breastbone. You might feel a sharp pain under the left rib if you take a deep breath which can worsen while coughing or sneezing. Costochondritis can happen due to an injury, infection and in rare cases, arthritis.

Can gallstones cause pain in upper left abdomen?

The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is pain, called biliary colic, which occurs in the upper abdomen, near the rib cage. This kind of gallbladder attack is sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Can gallstones cause upper left abdominal pain?

Pain that feels sharp or a “squeezing” in your left upper belly (abdomen) or in your back. Pain that travels from the original site up to the shoulder or chest. Vomiting.