What Causes Pain Left Side Of Stomach

When To See A Doctor

CJW Doc Minute: What causes pain on the left side of my stomach?

Most cases of left-sided abdominal pain will improve within 2 to 3 days, especially when the pain is caused by mild conditions like excess gas or constipation.

However, you should seek medical help when:

Pain is very intense or appears suddenly
Other symptoms emerge such as high fever, bloody stool, intense vomiting, or yellowish skin
Symptoms do not improve after two days
There’s unexplained weight loss.

Vague Upper Abdomen Pain

If you are an older adult, and this vague pain is accompanied with nausea, belching, and burping, it may actually be signs of a heart attack. If the symptoms also include vomiting and pain in the jaw and back with shortness of breath, call Digestive Health Services immediately or go to the nearest ER.

Support For People Living With Chronic Pancreatitis

Any long-term health condition, particularly one that causes recurring episodes of pain or constant pain, can affect your emotional and psychological health.

See a GP if you’re experiencing psychological and emotional difficulties. There are medicines available that can help with stress, anxiety and depression.

Talking to other people with the same condition can often reduce feelings of isolation and stress.

The charity Guts UK, may be able to put you in touch with a local support group.

Page last reviewed: 31 October 2018 Next review due: 31 October 2021

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Torsion Of The Testicle

Torsion of the testicle causes severe pain in the scrotum and severe lower quadrant pain, usually on one side.
It most commonly affects teenage boys but young adult men can be affected.
It is unusual over the age of 25 years but can affect any man at any age.
The testicle is very tender.
You should seek urgent medical advice.

What Is The Outlook

Again this depends entirely on the cause of the pain. Some conditions settle very quickly on their own , or with the help of antibiotics . Others can be cured with surgery, such as torsion of the testis. Some are long-term conditions, for which there is no cure, although there are treatments, such as those used for people who have Crohn’s disease. Your doctor should be able to give you an idea of the outlook once a diagnosis has become clear.

Treatments For Upper Left Side Abdominal Pain In Children

Most abdominal pain in children resolves itself, but there are some steps to take to ease the pain and keep your child healthy:

If your child has an appetite and feels like eating, offer them bland foods like rice or toast. Dont force them to eat anything.
Keep your child hydrated. Dehydration can occur if your child is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.
Give them time on the toilet. This may encourage them to have a bowel movement, which can ease the pain.
Make sure they get plenty of rest.
With a doctors help, avoid medicine. This can make an upset stomach worse.

If the abdominal pain does not subside, this could signify a more serious problem. Check for the following symptoms during home treatment:

Pain gets worse, spreads, or becomes localized.
Newer symptoms develop and the pain continues.
The abdomen becomes hard or swollen.

Common Causes Of Upper Abdominal Pain

The common causes of upper abdominal pain are typically the byproducts of the digestive process. The pains are usually felt in the upper area of the abdomen, as well as in the chest, neck or shoulders. The common symptoms are:

bloating and gas
loss of appetite
nausea

The management of the pains and symptoms can usually be accomplished by changes to the diet, eating habits and lifestyle. The avoidance of caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol will reduce the symptoms.

There are cases where people have described the warning signs of a heart attack as upper abdominal pain or heartburn. The pain can feel like a burning in the chest, or the chest being pressed by something heavy. This type of pain may also be felt in the jaw, the neck or the arms.

Heart attack victims may also experience breathlessness, sweating and nausea along with the burning or the chest pain. A person experiencing these symptoms, together with a family history of heart conditions, should seek immediate medical attention in an emergency room in New Braunfels, Texas.

Potential Causes Of Lower Left Abdominal Pain

Most types of abdominal pain will be easily recognizable and explainable without needing the assistance of a doctor. After a night of eating a lot of food , for instance, your abdomen may feel achy and bloated, but its a normal reaction and isnt a cause for concern. Yet a pain that is clearly located in the lower left abdomen could be caused by a variety of different conditions. Below are some common possible causes:

There Can Be Many Different Causes For Left Side Pain On Abdomen Be It Ibs Food Poisoning Or Kidney Stones See A Doctor To Get Proper Treatment

Left-Sided Abdominal Pain After Eating Cause Of Abdominal Pain Left Side Dr.Berg

If you draw an imaginary line on the center of the abdomen, you can describe left side abdominal pain as the pain occurs on the left side of the abdomen. Left side abdominal pain can be caused both by organs and structures on the left section of the abdomen as well as those located away from the abdomen. Females are more likely to suffer from pain on left side of abdomen simply because they have more organs in this area. Keep reading to learn more information about it if you suffer from this pain often or occasionally.

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What Are The Common Causes Of Left Upper Quadrant Pain In Pregnancy

Any of the above conditions can cause pain in the LUQ area, whether you are pregnant or not, so you should always get checked out. However, in pregnancy a common cause of discomfort is the sheer pressure of the womb pressing on other organs, and pressing them into the diaphragm. Also problems with indigestion tend to be common in pregnancy, again at least partly due to the pressure on the stomach. Urinary tract infections are also more common in pregnancy.

Middle Of The Abdomen

Upper middle:

The upper middle part of the abdomen contains the liver, the cardiac region of the stomach, part of the body of the stomach, the pyloric region of the stomach, and the pancreas.

The liver filters blood and creates bile, which is a substance that helps in the breakdown and absorption of fat in the foods you eat.

The cardiac region of the stomach is where food enters from the esophagus.

The pyloric region of the stomach is the last part of the stomach before food enters into the duodenum of the small intestine.

The pancreas is a large glandular organ that releases digestive enzymes and hormones.

Lower middle:

The lower middle part of the abdomen contains the urinary bladder, rectum, and anus.

The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine for excretion out of the body through the urethra.

The rectum goes into the anus, the final section of the large intestine that carries stool for excretion from the body.

When To See A Doctor About Abdominal Pain

Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of:

severe pain
pain lasting for several hours
pain and/or vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant
pain in your scrotum if you are a male
pain and vomiting or shortness of breath
pain and vomiting blood
blood in your bowel motions or urine
pain that spreads to your chest, neck or shoulder
fever and sweats
unable to move your bowels or pass gas
any other concerns.

Obstruction In The Intestine

Food cannot pass through the digestive tract when there is a blockage in the intestine. This causes intense pain in the left abdomen that necessitates immediate medical attention.

Intestinal obstructions are more common in older people and are usually caused by other conditions like diverticulitis or colon cancer. Abdominal pain is a common symptom of intestinal obstruction.

Other symptoms of abdominal pain include:

Failure to pass stool

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Why Do People Get Stomach Pain

Lets be clear there are numerous reasons why you could be getting stomach pain. Some are very common, and most of us have had them at one point in our lives. However, some injuries are more unusual and can be a cause of concern.

For example, a painful or swollen belly is often a sign of a condition called diverticulitis. The pain can be sharp, dull, or a combination of both. A bellyache may be a disease symptom such as an infection or a gastrointestinal problem, including a GI bleed.

When To See A Doctor About Pain In Your Lower Left Abdomen

See a doctor as soon as possible if you have lower left abdominal pain and:

burning pain when you pee, need to pee more than usual or need to pee urgently, and your symptoms arent getting better after 2 days these could be symptoms of a UTI
pain when you pee and youre male, youre a child, youre elderly or frail, or your symptoms have come back after youve had antibiotics
a high temperature
pain in your back on one side, just under your ribs
are shaking or feel shivery
are vomiting for more than 2 days or have diarrhoea for more than 7 days
have had sex without a condom with a new partner, or have new vaginal discharge

You should also see a doctor as soon as you can if you have left lower abdominal pain and:

are losing weight without trying to
symptoms that arent getting better or keep coming back
feel bloated or your tummy feels bigger than usual
dont feel like eating or you feel full faster than you usually would when you eat
see blood in your pee or poo
feel a lump in your tummy or groin
have noticed a change in your poo and its not going back to normal after a week or so

But, go to an emergency department immediately or call an ambulance if you have left lower abdominal pain and:

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Left Side Of The Abdomen

Upper left:

This part of the abdomen contains a portion of the body of your stomach, the tail of the pancreas, and your spleen.

The spleen is an organ that filters blood and supports the immune system.

Center left and center middle:

The transverse colon and the small intestine make up the center left and center middle of the abdomen. The small intestine is where most food digestion occurs.

The transverse colon is the upper part of the large intestine, where unabsorbed food is carried after going through the ascending colon. The small intestine is the organ that takes up most of the abdomen.

Lower left:

The descending and sigmoid colon portions are the part of the digestive system that stores unabsorbed food remains and waste before they leave your body.

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Whats The Treatment For Pain In Your Lower Left Abdomen

Left Side Abdominal Pain Under Ribs Causes & Remedies Covered by Dr.Berg

The treatment youll need depends on whats causing the pain in your lower left abdomen. If youre really not sure whats causing your pain, see a doctor.

Sometimes, the pain will go away by itself or if not, you can try treating it at home. For example, if youre having bad period pain, you can take simple painkillers but talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice on how to get and take painkillers safely. Read more about how to treat period pain.

Constipation can get better with changes to your diet, like including or avoiding certain foods. But some people may need medication like laxatives to help. This will depend on the cause of your constipation, including whether its related to an underlying condition. Read more about natural ways to relieve constipation and the best foods to help constipation.

You can usually manage tummy bugs with self-care, including getting lots of rest and fluids. Read more about how to treat gastroenteritis and food poisoning and how to get rid of a bloated stomach.

Some other infections may get better with self-care too like a UTI, which may sometimes improve if you drink a lot of fluids and take simple painkillers. But if a UTI isnt getting better, the pains really bad or you’ve got a fever too, then its best to see a doctor, as youll probably need antibiotics. Read more about how to treat a UTI and how to prevent a UTI.

You Feel Pain On The Left Side Of Your Stomach But Why

We want to share this article with you today for one reason. Pain on the left side of the abdomen should not be ignored or overlooked. If any of these symptoms occur at the same time, there is cause for concern:

Constant pain. This is not something that is limited to just one day for a few hours. Pain on the left side of the abdomen that persists or occurs right after eating is something you should be aware of.
But how does it feel? It feels like you have a hot plate on the inside, and it is a very sharp, intense pain. You may feel some discomfort coming and going, but it is most likely due to flatulence. But this pain is quite clear, and it is almost impossible not to think about it.

If you take painkillers, the pain will sometimes go away, but it will return with full force within a few hours or the next day.
Pain on the left side of the abdomen is one of the most common pains that doctors hear about from their patients. As previously mentioned, this is most of the time due to flatulence. But because this part of the body also contains the pancreas, stomach, left kidney and liver, this is something you simply can not ignore.

Lets look at some possible reasons:

Taking Care Of Yourself At Home

Most abdominal pain goes away without special treatment. Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:

Place a hot water bottle or heated wheat bag on your abdomen.
Soak in a warm bath. Take care not to scald yourself.
Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water.
Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol as these can make the pain worse.
When you are allowed to eat again, start with clear liquids, then progress to bland foods such as crackers, rice, bananas or toast. Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods.
Get plenty of rest.
Try over-the-counter antacids, to help reduce some types of pain.
Take mild painkillers such as paracetamol. Please check the packet for the right dose. Avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs unless advised to take them by a doctor. These drugs can make some types of abdominal pain worse.

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What Is Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs suddenly. A person with acute pancreatitis generally looks and feels very ill and needs immediate medical attention.

The most common causes of acute pancreatitis are excessive alcohol intake and gallstones. After alcohol use, the symptoms can appear within a few hours, or could take several days. Other causes of acute pancreatitis include abdominal trauma, medications, infections, tumors, and genetic abnormalities of the pancreas.

Lower Left Abdominal Pain

What Causes Abdominal Pain on the Right Side?

It is a simple fact of life that sooner or later youll experience unexplained pain in some part of your body. One of the most common and yet unclear places to feel pain is the abdomen, mainly because the abdominal cavity contains the majority of the bodys vital organs in relatively close proximity. A problem with any of these versatile organs in the abdomen can possibly be perceived as abdominal pain, so thats why its important to determine where the pain is located more specifically. And pain felt on the left side of the abdomen is an example of one area that has several possible explanations.

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What Are The Next Steps

Next it will depend on what examination and which tests above have suggested. In some cases no further tests will be needed – if, for example, your doctor is confident you have indigestion, or constipation or shingles.

If a heart or lung problem is suspected, a heart tracing and/or chest X-ray might be required. If a problem with your stomach or upper bowel is suspected, you may need an examination with a tube with a camera put down into your stomach . A computerised tomography scan or an ultrasound scan may be helpful to look at your spleen, pancreas or kidneys. In some cases an X-ray of the tummy may be useful. Further tests include other ‘scopes’ and other scans scan).

Nobody will need all these tests, and some people may not need any.

What Home Remedies Soothe Abdominal Pain In Adults

Abdominal pain without fever, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, passing out, chest pain, or other serious symptoms often get better without special treatment.

If the pain persists or if a person believes the pain may represent a serious problem, they should see a doctor.
A heating pad or soaking in a tub of warm water may ease the pain.
Over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums, Maalox, or Pepto-Bismol, also can reduce some types of abdominal pain. Activated charcoal capsules also may help.
Acetaminophen may help. This product should be avoided if liver disease is suspected. Patients should try to avoid aspirin or ibuprofen stomach or intestinal ulcer disease is suspected these drugs can make the pain worse.