Yes, GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) can absolutely cause pain on the left side, often felt as burning or pressure in the chest or upper abdomen (epigastric region) that can radiate to the left, mimicking heart issues, because the esophagus runs close to the heart and shares sensory nerves. This acid reflux pain can be intense enough to be mistaken for a heart attack, so it's crucial to see a doctor for chest pain to rule out serious conditions.
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Acid reflux, or GERD, often causes pain in the upper abdomen, particularly in the epigastric region. However, the pain can sometimes radiate to the left side of the stomach.
Many women experience left side pain during pregnancy. Early in your pregnancy, it can be a sign that your body is stretching to make room for your baby, or it can stem from digestive issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or constipation.
Pregnant women might have pain in the left side of the stomach during early pregnancy due to the changes going on in their bodies. This pain usually occurs because the uterus and the body are trying to make space for the baby.
Lower left abdominal pain is often related to diverticulosis and diverticulitis of the colon. Diverticula, pouches that develop in your colon wall, most often occur on the lower left side. These pouches make great hiding places for bacteria and can easily become infected, causing inflammation and pain.
Gastritis causes inflammation and irritation of the intestinal lining. This can lead to pain that ranges from mild to severe. People with gastritis usually feel pain under the pit of the stomach (under the lower ribs). Often discomfort appears in the region of the left lower ribs.
Upper left side pain could mean your pancreas, spleen, stomach or kidney is involved. Conditions that affect these organs include: Pancreatitis. Pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis
This aching pain often gets steadily worse and can travel along your back or below your left shoulder blade. Eating or drinking may also make you feel worse very quickly, especially fatty foods.
You can get symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, but they are more common from 12 weeks onwards.
Signs and symptoms during pregnancy – when to get help
While every woman's body is different, and you can certainly experience heartburn and indigestion without being pregnant, heartburn can occur at any point in a pregnancy1. So, a woman may experience heartburn as an early pregnancy symptom—even before she knows she's pregnant.
The esophagus is located in the centre of your body, but the stomach is a curved organ with the majority of its volume in the left side of the upper abdomen. This means that the position of your body can have a large influence on the degree of reflux you experience.
Conditions like GERD, angina, heart attacks, gallstones, ulcers, and hiatal hernias can feel similar. Learning to tell them apart can help you know when to try simple changes at home and when to call your doctor.
Common causes of pain on the left side of the body include infection and injury to muscles, nerves, or internal organs, such as the heart, spleen, left lung or kidney, pancreas, and more. It is best to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Chronic pancreatitis symptoms may include:
Location of Pain: While gastric pain from acid reflux or gastritis is typically felt in the upper abdomen or chest area, pancreatitis pain is usually more centrally located in the upper abdomen and can radiate to the back or sides.
The most common causes of lower left abdominal pain in women include intestinal gas, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, diverticulitis, kidney stones, UTIs, and muscle strains.
The most common cause of left lower abdominal pain in adults is diverticulitis , an inflammation of outpouchings that can develop in the colon.