Hello,

Pain and tenderness in the left side of upper abdominal region with bubble like feel can be due to gas trapped in splenic flexure of colon (large intestine) which is located in left side just below ribcage adjacent to spleen. This condition is called splenic flexure syndrome and is similar to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) in presentation. Air trapped in this region can cause abdominal pain and discomfort with bloated feel as there is increased gas formation from undigested food which cannot be passed out. Trapped gas can cause intestinal spasms presenting as sharp pain.

Eating of gas forming fatty foods and complex sugars like fructose based foods, excessive swallowing of air (aerophagia), foods like broccoli, potato, cabbage, beans etc., alcohol intake can cause excessive gas to be trapped in splenic flexure.

Antacids can relieve symptoms due to excessive gas formation. Pain can be rlieved by antispasmodics like dicyclomine. Drugs which improve motility of gastro intestinal tract like metaclopramide are useful.

Other important causes of left side abdominal pain like kidney stones, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, diverticulitis etc., may have to be ruled out through necessary investigations like ultrasound, CT/MRI and radiographic imaging.

Consult a physician for further evaluation and follow up with any further queries. Thank you.