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What Does It Mean When Your Left Lung Hurts?
The lungs have few pain receptors, so pain in the lungs usually starts elsewhere in the body. Possible causes of left-side lung or chest pain when breathing in include costochondritis and pneumothorax.
However, some lung-related conditions can result in pain in the left lung.
The chest contains several vital organs, including the heart and lungs. Because of this, it is understandable why someone experiencing pain in this area may worry about what is causing it.
This article examines some potential causes of lung pain and what people can do if they experience this symptom.
The following include some of the more common causes of lung pain, including left lung pain:
AsthmaAsthma is a condition that causes airway inflammation and lung irritability, which makes people more prone to wheezing and shortness of breath.
Chronic coughing and wheezing relating to asthma can cause feelings of chest tightness.
Typically, this will make a person's chest tight on both sides, not just the left.
CostochondritisCostochondritis refers to inflammation of the connective tissue that joins a person's ribs to their breastbone. Costochondritis can cause pain that feels like chest pain, which can occur on one side.
HyperventilationHyperventilation, or rapid breathing, can result from illness or panic attacks. This condition can affect the typical balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen inside the body.
One of the primary symptoms of hyperventilation is chest tightness.
A person may also experience dizziness, headache, and trouble concentrating.
Lung cancerLung cancer does not usually cause symptoms at first. As lung cancer spreads, a person may notice symptoms such as a chronic cough, shortness of breath, and feeling tired or weak for no known reason.
PneumothoraxPneumothorax is a portion or all of a lung collapsing. This can cause sudden and significant chest pain on the affected side of the chest.
A pneumothorax can occur suddenly or after an injury or illness.
Pleural effusionPleural effusion is a condition where excess fluid builds up inside the lining of the lung, known as the pleural space. This buildup can cause difficulty breathing and discomfort on the affected side.
PleurisyThis condition occurs when the two membranes of the chest wall become inflamed. When they rub against each other, pain and shortness of breath can occur.
When a person has pleurisy, a doctor will perform various tests to find the cause. The cause could be a viral infection, trauma, or lupus, an autoimmune disorder that attacks a person's tissues and organs.
PneumoniaPneumonia is a severe respiratory infection that can affect one or both lungs. If pneumonia is on the affected side, a person may experience pain in that lung.
Additional symptoms might include a cough, fever, chills, and shortness of breath.
Pulmonary embolismA pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot or clots in the lungs' arteries. A PE can occur after a person has had surgery or been sedentary for some time.
While some causes of left-sided chest pain may be mild, others can cause concern. Some signs that left lung pain could be a medical emergency include:
If someone experiences these or other symptoms, they need to call 911 or have someone drive them to the emergency room immediately.
Signs of lung cancerLung cancer signs can include:
If someone experiences these symptoms, they need to consult a doctor.
Learn more about lung cancer signs.
Whether the pain relates to the lung or feels like it is, a person needs to consult their doctor if it interferes with their everyday life.
This is especially true if the pain is worsening instead of improving.
A doctor will diagnose the cause of left chest pain by taking a medical history and physical examination.
The doctor will ask questions about what makes the pain worse, what makes it better, and when the pain began. They will also listen to the lungs with a stethoscope.
Imaging testsA doctor may recommend initial imaging studies, such as a chest X-ray, to identify potential issues relating to the lungs. If this X-ray does not reveal any problems, but the doctor suspects an underlying problem, they may recommend further testing.
Further tests could include an MRI or CT scan. These imaging studies can provide different, high quality pictures of the lungs to aid in a diagnosis.
Blood testsOther testing modes may include a complete blood count to identify a person's number of white blood cells. A high white blood cell count could indicate that an infection is present in the body.
Another test a doctor might use is a cardiac enzyme panel. This determines whether pain in the left lung is, in fact, chest pain relating to a heart attack or another heart problem.
Doctors may also recommend individual tests according to a person's symptoms and left lung pain.
Resting and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help if the cause relates to the muscles around the lung.
Treatments for other possible causes of left lung pain can vary. For example, if a person has a collapsed left lung, a doctor may insert a small tube between the ribs and into the space around the lung to re-inflate it.
Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat respiratory-related infections due to bacteria.
The most important thing to do is consult a doctor who can begin the diagnostic process so treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Here are some answers to common questions about left lung pain.
What does it mean when your left lung hurts?Left lung pain can result from many issues, such as asthma, inflammation, injury, or an underlying condition.
How do I know if I have lung pain or muscle pain?Lung pain may link to more serious underlying conditions and have accompanying symptoms such as coughing blood or difficulty breathing. A person can speak with a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
How serious is pleurisy?Pleurisy is usually easy to treat and gets better in a matter of days. However, it can lead to more serious conditions such as pneumonia.
What can feel like lung pain?Lung pain can also feel like chest muscle pain. Look out for accompanying symptoms.
Left lung pain has many potential causes. It has links to nearby organs, such as the heart and stomach.
Anyone experiencing left lung pain needs to seek prompt medical attention to ensure that the pain is not a symptom of a serious underlying condition.
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What Common Foods Can Cause Diarrhea?
Certain foods may cause diarrhea and other digestive symptoms, especially if you have a food intolerance. Common causes can include dairy, spicy food, and greasy food.
In many cases, diarrhea is caused by a virus or bacteria that your body is trying to flush out.
However, eating specific foods may also trigger a bout of diarrhea.
This article looks at 10 foods that commonly cause diarrhea, the best treatments, and when to see a doctor.
The types of food that trigger diarrhea differ among people.
For instance, you may experience diarrhea if you have:
That said, certain foods may cause diarrhea even if you don't have a food intolerance.
Spicy foods like chili peppers and curry blends are common causes of food-induced diarrhea, especially spices your body isn't used to.
A chemical called capsaicin gives chili peppers their heat.
Research shows that while capsaicin can have various health benefits, such as treating pain and arthritis, it is also a potent irritant. Capsaicin can irritate the stomach lining during digestion.
When consumed in large amounts, capsaicin may cause the following symptoms:
If spicy foods are causing diarrhea, try adding a kick to your food with spices that don't contain capsaicin, such as mustard powder or ground paprika. They tend to be milder on the stomach.
Sugar substitutes include:
Some sugar substitutes can upset the digestive system. In fact, some foods that contain them have a label warning about their potential laxative effect.
In particular, consuming high levels of sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Common foods that contain artificial sweeteners include:
If you experience diarrhea after drinking milk or eating dairy products, you may have lactose intolerance.
Many people don't know they have lactose intolerance. It tends to run in families and can develop later in life.
Lactose intolerance means your body doesn't have the enzymes to break down certain sugars in dairy. Instead of breaking it down, your body disposes of these sugars very quickly, often in the form of diarrhea.
There are plenty of substitutes for cow's milk on the market, including:
The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, which can make you feel mentally alert and also stimulates your digestive system.
According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), drinking two to three cups of coffee or tea daily may cause diarrhea.
Many people also add other digestive stimulants to their coffee, such as milk, sugar substitutes, or creamers, which increases the beverage's laxative effect.
For some people, decaffeinated coffee may stimulate the gut because of other chemicals present in coffee.
Using dairy substitutes, such as oat milk or coconut creamer, may reduce the laxative effects of coffee. Otherwise, if you think coffee is causing diarrhea, try switching to green tea or another hot beverage.
Aside from coffee, other foods and drinks that contain caffeine may cause diarrhea or loose stool.
For instance, caffeine naturally occurs in chocolate, so any chocolate-flavored products could contain hidden caffeine.
Common foods and drinks that contain caffeine include:
Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruit.
Eating fruits in excess, however, may cause diarrhea, according to the IFFGD.
Fructose is also found in:
The IFFGD notes that you may also experience looser bowel movements when fresh fruit and vegetables are more readily available in the summer months.
Garlic and onions have been shown to increase symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
These vegetables are high FODMAP foods. This group of carbohydrates may cause diarrhea in some people. Sugar alcohols, discussed earlier in this article, are another high FODMAP food that can cause diarrhea.
If you want to replace garlic and onions in your diet, try experimenting with celery or fennel. These can give your food a similar taste but with less risk of diarrhea and gas.
Broccoli and cauliflower are cruciferous vegetables.
These vegetables have many health benefits that could help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
However, the digestive tract may have trouble processing them due to their high fiber content, especially if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
If you aren't used to eating large amounts of fiber, a big serving may lead to constipation, gas, or diarrhea. Try starting with small portions and increasing your fiber intake slowly.
A high fiber diet can help reduce diarrhea and benefit your digestive and heart health.
Fatty, greasy, or fried foods are high in fat, which may cause diarrhea or worsen symptoms because fats are difficult to break down.
A 2023 study found that diarrhea was most commonly reported after eating fast food, fish and chips, and creamy sauces, among others.
Other common fast foods high in unhealthy fats include:
Instead, when looking to satisfy fast food cravings, try choosing grilled chicken, turkey burgers, or plant-based options.
Drinking alcohol may lead to loose stool the following day, especially when drinking beer or wine.
Try cutting out alcohol and seeing if the diarrhea goes away. If it does, consider reducing your alcohol intake to reduce digestive discomfort.
Treatment for diarrhea will depend on several factors, such as the underlying cause and whether it's acute or chronic.
Treatment may include a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) and home remedies, such as:
If you aren't sure what foods are causing diarrhea or other digestive symptoms, you might benefit from trying an elimination diet.
To do this, eliminate certain foods to see if your symptoms improve. This can help you determine how different foods are affecting your body.
Learn more about how to relieve diarrhea.
Diarrhea will usually go away on its own after a few days.
However, diarrhea that lasts longer than 7 days, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms may be a sign of a health condition that requires medical treatment.
See a doctor if you experience:
They could provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.
How quickly can food cause diarrhea?Diarrhea within 30 minutes of eating may be a sign of dumping syndrome.
What is the most common food cause of diarrhea?There isn't a single, most common food that causes diarrhea. Food triggers vary for each person.
What are the worst foods for diarrhea?There is no single group of foods that are worst for diarrhea. However, common culprits include spicy, fatty, and greasy foods, as well as foods high in added sugar alcohols and fiber.
Foods that cause diarrhea will differ for each person and depend on several factors, such as whether you have a food intolerance or health condition.
Common foods that cause diarrhea include spicy foods, fried or greasy foods, dairy, and sugar substitutes.
If you suspect a certain food is causing diarrhea, try eliminating it from the diet to see if your digestive symptoms improve.
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