What Causes Upper Left Abdominal Pain?

Posted on Tue, 6 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 6 Dec 2016 Answered on

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm having pain in the top part of my left abdomen under my left breast. It radiates around to the left part of my back. I don't feel sick but this pain is really constant now. I was thinking it could be my gallblader. It is sore to the touch and hard to lay on the right side. It's not a pulled muscle, feels like it's an organ.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
gallbladder is on the right

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The gallbladder is on the right of the abdomen. Since the pain is on the left top part of the abdomen, under the left breast according to the history written above, it is not likely related to the gallbladder though there maybe another organ cause.

The organs on the center to left of the abdomen are the stomach, spleen, intestines, muscles and other soft tissue, kidney.

If the tenderness/ pain is more central than left then it may be the stomach. If it is more the left then it can be any of the other areas mentioned.
The kidneys would more cause pain to the back unless it is due to a stone, in that case the pain is loin to groin.

If it not relieved by your pain killers or it is worsening then you would need to be seen.
The best way to diagnose abdominal pain in a person, is to examine the abdomen.

This examination is needed to determine the exact site of the pain, if there is tenderness, rebound tenderness (tenderness when the hand is lifted), guarding. Listen to bowel sounds.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar