Causes of pain on the left side of the stomach include cancer, diverticulitis, kidney infection and a ruptured spleen, according to Mayo Clinic. Kidney stones, shingles, gastritis, intestinal obstruction and appendicitis may also cause pain on the left side of the stomach.
Abdominal pain has a number of causes, and many, such as a muscle injury or gas pain, may not be serious, explains Mayo Clinic. Other conditions might be more serious and require emergency medical attention. Many times the location of the pain can provide a clue to the cause, though sometimes the pain may not have a pattern.
If the abdominal pain is severe and the individual has been in an accident or has pressure or pain in the chest, it is important to call 911 immediately, states Mayo Clinic. If there is abdominal pain with bloody stools, vomiting, nausea, yellow skin, or tenderness and swelling of the area, the individual should go to the emergency room or closest urgent care center. If the pain is mild to moderate and does not go away after a couple of days, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. To ease the pain until the appointment, the individual should eat small meals and refrain from taking over-the-counter pain relievers, as these medications may cause irritation to the stomach.
