Pain in any part of your body means something is wrong. Upper left abdomen pain can be because of several reasons, such as:
- indigestion
- a viral infection
- acute gastritis
- stomach ulcer
- or cancer.
Summary
The most common reason for stabbing stomach in the upper left side after eating is caused by fast & excessive eating. Reasons that can cause stabbing stomach pain under the ribs are organ rupture and a collapsed left lung.
In the article, we’ll also take a look at the following topics
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This article covers the basics you need to know about pain under the ribs, specifically after eating. We advise you to take everything with a grain of salt and always consult a medical doctor if the symptoms persist.
The abdomen separates into four quadrants, so it is easy to pinpoint the ache’s exact location. In most cases, it should resolve on its own. If it is muscle cramps or spasms, they should go away in a few minutes. If you are experiencing piercing pains, it could indicate something bad is happening.
The following are part of the upper left abdomen:
- Spleen
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Left lower rib cage (epigastric region)
- Left lobe of the liver
- Left lower lung
- Left kidney
- Left adrenal gland
- Diaphragm
- Upper left sections of the large intestine
Other terms we can use to indicate aches in these areas are:
- Pain under the left rib cage
- Pain in the upper left quadrant
- Pain in the left hypochondrium
Reasons for stabbing pain in the upper left abdomen under the ribs
Men, heavy drinkers, people with high triglyceride levels, men or women taking large quantities of prescription medication, and illicit drug users are at risk of upper left abdomen aches. Here are the reasons for stabbing pain in the upper left abdomen under the ribs.
1. Systemic infections
Body-wide infections can cause an aching sensation in the upper left abdomen.
These infections would include:
- Bacterial
- Fungal
- Parasitic
- Viral
2. Localized infections
A localized infection refers to a confined infection to one of the organs in the left upper quadrant.
The most common infections are as follows:
- Abscess – Likely infection in the kidney.
- Pancreatitis – Inflammation of the pancreas.
- Pneumonia – Infection of the lungs.
- Pericarditis – Sac infection enclosing the heart.
- Ulcer – An open sore in the stomach, which is painful.
3. Idiopathic conditions
These conditions combine heredity, viral infections, allergies, and diet and exercise choices.
- Autoimmune diseases – An autoimmune disease happens if the body’s defense system cannot differentiate foreign cells from its cells. It causes the body to attack its cells. There are more than 80 types of this disease affecting different body parts. For example, lupus attacks the organs in the left upper quadrant. It causes pain and eventually damage.
- Colon – Excess gas or constipation causes pain to form in the upper left colon, which is under the left rib cage.
- Left Kidney – Stones or mineral deposits can cause severe pain.
- Liver – Enlargement of the spleen is because of liver damage.
- Metabolic Disorders – These cause imbalances in organ functions, such as diabetes.
- Stomach – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause stomach acids to push back into the esophagus.
4. Drugs and medications
Medication and drugs may cause damage and pain to the left upper quadrant. The common ones are as follows:
- Aspirin – Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation, pain, fever, or a combination of these three. High doses of aspirin may trigger bleeding in the stomach. Eventually, it will lead to pain.
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Cocaine
- NSAIDs – All other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Opioids – You may experience pain as a side effect
5. Cancer
Although cancer rarely causes pain in the upper left abdomen, it can still happen. A localized tumor can grow anywhere in the area, causing discomfort. Lumps are not always visible. On the other hand, blood cancer affects the entire body. It may lead to aches in different parts.
6. Stomach ulcer
A gastric or peptic ulcer is an open sore forming during inflammation in the stomach lining. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes inflammation in the area. Prolonged intake of pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. They may also result in ulcers.
Spicy foods, stress, drinking alcohol, and smoke may aggravate ulcers but do not cause them. Some symptoms are heartburn, bloating, nausea, and an aching sensation in the stomach. It could get worse at night or between meals. You may also experience blood in stool or vomit.
If left untreated, it may bleed and result in anemia. It could puncture the stomach and cause peritonitis, which is an infection in the abdominal cavity.
Diagnosis may include one or more of the following:
- Endoscopy
- Physical examination
- Breath testing
- Stool
7. Normal abdominal pain
Abdominal discomfort for no reason is common. Identifying the root cause is challenging because it can be from the muscles or from different sources, such as:
- the pancreas
- the gall bladder
- the digestive tract
- or the urinary tract.
Overly sensitive nerves in the gut can be a possible source. It may occur after repeated injuries in the same area. A diagnosis may include patient history, physical examination, and CT scan. However, CT scans are ordered if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh radiation risks.
Treatment may involve lifestyle improvements. It includes things such as sleep, exercise, and diet.
8. Heart attack in a woman
One of the leading causes of heart attack happens when a clot in the coronary artery blocks oxygen and blood supply to the heart. It leads to an irregular heartbeat. It’s called arrhythmia, causing a decrease in the heart’s pumping functionality.
9. Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas creates and releases insulin to keep blood sugar levels stable. It also creates enzymes, which help digest food in the small intestine. If these enzymes accidentally activate in the pancreas, it causes discomfort and inflammation.
We recommend taking a trip to the emergency room as soon as possible. Diagnosis may include imaging, blood tests, and physical examination.
10. Acute gastritis
Gastritis means irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining. Acute gastritis happens during a sudden and severe ache. The bacteria H. pylori is the common cause of infection in the stomach. Other common causes include excess intake of:
- pain relievers
- overdrinking alcohol
- stress
- smoking
- and autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms usually include a sudden burning ache and fullness in the upper abdomen. Some may also experience vomiting and nausea. We recommend seeking medical attention as soon as possible if symptoms persist for more than a week or if you see blood in your stool or vomit.
Gastritis could lead to stomach ulcers if left untreated. Diagnosis includes blood tests, breath tests, and stool sample tests.
