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What Causes Left Shoulder Pain When Lying Down?
Question: I am 23 years old and for a while now I have been experiencing some little mild pain/discomfort on the left side of my back right in between my ribs and lower back. I tend to often sleep on my left shoulder, is it possible that this may be the cause, or is it likely to be something like kidney cancer?
Brief Answer:
Multiple possibilities might be considered and requires clinical testsr
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Should the pain or discomfort appear when lying on your left shoulder then a possibility of muscle spasm and associated discomfort might be thought of.
2. The structures on left side from the level of ribs till lower back includes the left diaphragm, stomach, spleen, left kidney and descending colon.
3. Pain in the area is rarely due to a kidney cancer and there are many other benign cause which might cause pain.
4. Some of the common reasons for pain include stones in left kidney, mild enlargement of spleen, irritation or displacement of diaphragm, pneumonia involving left lung lower lobe, mild left pleural effusion, pancreatitis, gastritis and bowel related causes.
5. It is suggested that you get clinically examined in detail and get a chest X ray and ultrasound scan abdomen if indicated. Treatment is after confirmation of diagnosis.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Multiple possibilities might be considered and requires clinical testsr
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Should the pain or discomfort appear when lying on your left shoulder then a possibility of muscle spasm and associated discomfort might be thought of.
2. The structures on left side from the level of ribs till lower back includes the left diaphragm, stomach, spleen, left kidney and descending colon.
3. Pain in the area is rarely due to a kidney cancer and there are many other benign cause which might cause pain.
4. Some of the common reasons for pain include stones in left kidney, mild enlargement of spleen, irritation or displacement of diaphragm, pneumonia involving left lung lower lobe, mild left pleural effusion, pancreatitis, gastritis and bowel related causes.
5. It is suggested that you get clinically examined in detail and get a chest X ray and ultrasound scan abdomen if indicated. Treatment is after confirmation of diagnosis.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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