Left Arm Pain
Pain in the left arm deserves special attention.
Possible causes include:
- Muscle strain
- Tendon injury
- Arthritis
- Pinched nerve
- Heart attack
If left arm pain occurs with chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Left Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain may result from:
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Frozen shoulder
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
Sometimes shoulder pain is referred from the heart.
Left Leg Pain
Possible causes include:
- Muscle cramps
- Sciatica
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)
- Poor circulation
- Nerve damage
Swelling, redness, or sudden pain should be evaluated promptly.
Left-Sided Chest Pain
Chest pain is not always caused by the heart.
Other possibilities include:
- Acid reflux
- Muscle strain
- Anxiety
- Lung infection
- Costochondritis
Because chest pain can indicate life-threatening conditions, it should never be ignored.
Left-Sided Abdominal Pain
Pain location provides useful clues.
Upper left pain may involve:
- Spleen
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Left kidney
Lower left pain may involve:
- Colon
- Ovaries (in women)
- Intestines
