Pain In The Lower Left Side Of The Abdomen
If this stomach pain seems to get worse when you move, it could be diverticulitis. This condition causes pouches of tissue to form within the colon that can become inflamed or infected. Take OTC acetaminophen and stool softeners to reduce the risk of an abscess, and seek treatment if these remedies do not begin to improve your symptoms.
Wheres Your Abdominal Bloating And Pain
Pain in different areas of the abdomen can mean different things.
Abdominal pain can be anywhere between the chest and the pelvis. People often call it a stomachache. The pain can also be:
- cramp-like
- dull
- sharp
Causes of abdominal bloating and pain can vary from mild to severe. Most of the time, abdominal bloating and pain occur due to:
- overeating
- stress
- indigestion
This kind of bloating or pain is usually normal and will go away within two hours.
In cases of the stomach flu, you may feel intense pain or bloating that comes and goes before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Stomach viruses usually go away with rest and home care.
This guide lists the organs associated with different locations of abdominal bloating or pain:
Pain Coming From A Problem In Your Lungs
Problems with the lower part of your lungs may feel as though the pain is in the upper part of your tummy. The lower part of your lungs and the upper part of your tummy are separated only by the sheet of muscle called the diaphragm. Problems which might cause pain include infections such as pneumonia or pleurisy. You would usually have other symptoms such as a cough, high temperature , or pain on breathing.
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Kidney Stones And Infections
Problems with the left kidney tend to give you pain more around the left-hand side of the abdomen, or in your back , but the pain may spread and involve the front of the tummy area. Kidney stones can cause a severe pain which occurs in spasms lasting from a few minutes to several hours. There may be also be blood in your wee.
A kidney infection can cause pain anywhere along your urinary tract. So this could be anywhere from the loin in your back, round to the front, the LUQ, or down to the lower part of your tummy. It may be associated with a fever, pain when you wee, or going to the loo more frequently.
Treatment For Kidney Stones
In some cases, an ER visit isnt necessary. This includes not having severe symptoms, but still feeling some discomfort around the abdomen, groin, genitals, and side area. When this is the case, there are three main ways to treat your kidney stones:
- Allowing the stone to pass on its own
- Using medications to help the stone pass
- Surgery to treat or remove the stone
Your treatment options are dependent on the size and location of the kidney stone. A good rule of thumb is that if your kidney stone is larger than 5 millimeters, then youll likely need surgery to remove the mass.
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Causes Of Upper Left Side Abdominal Pain
Upper left side abdominal pain can come from many different sources. The most common reasons are:
Indigestion
Everyone experiences indigestion from time to time. Indigestion mostly happens when your body has trouble digesting food.
Most people who experience indigestion also encounter heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest. While the occasional problem digesting food is usually nothing to worry about, if youre experiencing constant symptoms you should talk to your doctor as it may indicate an underlying issue.
Stomach ulcers
A peptic ulcer, also known as a stomach ulcer, is an open sore on the lining of the stomach. It happens when the stomach lining has been damaged. Stomach ulcers occur mostly in patients who use anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, in the long term. These ulcers can also be caused by bacterial infections.
Enlarged spleen
An enlarged spleen, or splenomegaly, in some cases, has no symptoms. The most common symptoms are feeling full quickly during meals, or discomfort and pain on the upper left side of the abdomen. This pain may also spread to your left shoulder. Although the spleen is a small organ, it has several important functions including immune system defense and storing red blood cells.
Broken or bruised ribs
Rib injuries can happen when there is traumato the chest. Someone with broken or bruised ribs will have pain while breathing or moving. Although you cant see a rib injury, you will definitely be able to feel one.
You Have Experienced Severe Abdominal Trauma
You see this phrase abdominal trauma thrown around a lot when discussing when to go to the ER for stomach pain, but rarely is it explained. Abdominal trauma typically occurs as a result of an accident, such as a car crash or a sports injury. It can involve a severe compression or displacement of the internal organs, such as when a seatbelt strains against your stomach in a car accident.
This type of abdominal trauma can also be caused by physical abuse. Finally, abdominal trauma can also be the result of penetrating wounds to the stomach, including knife and gun wounds.
If you have recently been the victim of abdominal trauma and are experiencing stomach pains, now is not likely the best time to question when to go to the ER for abdominal pain. Seek treatment immediately.
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You Have Undergone Certain Procedures
After certain types of surgical procedures, moderate to severe stomach pain could indicate a serious complication. These procedures include:
- Abdominal surgery
- Bowel resection
- Colostomy
- Gastric bypass
- Gastrointestinal procedures
If you are experiencing stomach pain after one of these procedures, do not hesitate. Head to the emergency room as soon as possible.
When To Seek Care
Mild abdominal pain that goes away and does not come back may not need treatment. However, talk with your doctor about any abdominal pain that is severe or that keeps coming back. Severe or persistent abdominal pain is not normal. Be sure to tell your doctor about all symptoms you are experiencing.
Certain symptoms mean that you need to seek medical care. Watch for these more serious symptoms:
- blood in your stool
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What Is Left Side Abdominal Pain
Health care practitioners refer to the abdomen as having 4 sections: upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right abdomen. Some physicians actually divide these quadrants into 9 areas for even more clear communication. Left side abdominal pain refers to pain in the upper left and lower left quadrants of abdomen.
Abdominal pains occur in the left side, right side or the entire abdomen. An average person experiences this pain at least once in a lifetime. Any pain in the abdomen is important, especially on the left side. Abdominal pain on left side can vary according to the cause. On some occasions, it can be dull and at times it is a sharp pain. Some people experience a throbbing pain while for others it is cramp-like. Left side abdominal pain might be chronic and long-lasting. However, some people experience sudden and acute pain. Sometimes abdominal pains are accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
A pain in the abdomen should never be neglected as this may be a symptom of some other bigger problems. It can be linked to any one of many conditions that do not occur in the abdomen itself though they cause discomfort in abdomen. Some pains may be directly associated with gastrointestinal tract while other abdominal pains, like the one experienced with strep throat, are not directly associated with the digestive tract.
What Is Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is caused by ingesting food that is contaminated with a bacteria, parasite, or virus. The most common causes of food poisoning are well-known bacteria and viruses like E. Coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Norovirus, and Clostridium Perfringens. When foods are cooked at a high enough temperature, these pathogens are killed off. But if they are eaten raw, arent cooked fully through, or if there is a case of cross-contamination, you place yourself at risk of getting a foodborne illness.
Common foods that can cause food poisoning include:
- Raw fruit and vegetables
- Sushi or other forms of raw fish
- Cold cuts and deli meat
- Unpasteurized products like vinegars and dairy products
- Poultry
- Raw eggs
If youre around other people or have other kids at home, you may be wondering, is food poisoning contagious? Unfortunately, when caused by specific bacteria, viruses, or parasites, it is contagious. Do your best to keep the infected individual isolated and prevent the spread of the illness.
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Are Everybody’s Organs In The Same Place
Very rarely, it is possible to have organs the opposite way round to the usual arrangement. This occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people and is called situs inversus. If you were one of these few then all the causes which affect most people in the right upper quadrant could give you pains on the left.
Pain Coming From A Problem With Your Heart
Problems with your heart more usually cause a pain in your chest. However, again the chest and tummy cavities are very close together and sometimes it may feel more as though the pain is in your upper tummy. Heart problems which might do this include:
- Angina. Pain usually comes on as you exert yourself and settles when you rest.
- A heart attack . Pain is sudden and crushing. There may also be pain in the left arm or jaw, and you may feel generally very unwell and/or short of breath. Call an ambulance immediately if you think you are having a heart attack.
- Pericarditis. This is an inflammation of the surrounding sac of the heart. More typically it gives you chest pain, usually with a fever.
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Chest Pain In Left Side
The principal thing you may consider is the heart attack when you experience left side chest pain. Positively, pain on the left side of your chest is not something to overlook. However, you ought to realize that it has numerous conceivable reasons. Actually, as much as a quarter of the U.S. populace encounters left side chest pain that is not identified with the heart.
Left side chest pain might likewise be brought about by issues in your lungs, throat, muscles, ribs, or nerves, for instance. Some of these conditions are not kidding and life undermining. Others are most certainly not. In the event that you have unexplained left side chest pain, the best way to know its cause is to have a specialist assess you.
Pain In Left Side Under Ribs Other Causes
It would help if you noticed how dire some of the conditions causing pain under your ribs could be. Such a realization will help you take immediate action to be safe.
There are so many reasons you could have this pain type that it can become problematic to leave it unchecked.
The sooner you get help, the better your chances of a quick recovery. Consider these other causes of this pain.
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Ovulation Pain Or Midcycle Spotting
Mittelschmerz is a German word that translates as “middle pain.” It refers to the normal discomfort sometimes felt by women during ovulation, which is at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.
Each month, one of the two ovaries forms a follicle that holds an egg cell. The pain occurs when the follicle ruptures and releases the egg.
This is a dull, cramping sensation that may begin suddenly in only one side of the lower abdomen. In a few cases, there may be vaginal spotting. Mittelschmerz occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period.
Actual Mittelschmerz is not associated with nausea, vomiting, fever, or severe pelvic pain. These symptoms should be evaluated by a medical provider since they can indicate a more serious condition.
Diagnosis is made through patient history.
Treatment requires only over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain. An oral contraceptive will stop the symptoms, since it also stops ovulation.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: abdominal pain , last period approximately 2 weeks ago, vaginal bleeding, bloody vaginal discharge, pelvis pain
Symptoms that always occur with ovulation pain or midcycle spotting: last period approximately 2 weeks ago
Urgency: Self-treatment
When To Go To The Er For Stomach Pain
Abdominal Pain
When youre really not feeling well, its natural to wonder when to go to the ER for stomach pain. Since stomach pain is so common, however, many people struggle to make this call.
So, how do you know when stomach pain is serious enough for a trip to the ER?
Complete Care to help answer this question. No more second-guessing when to go to the ER for stomach pain. Learn exactly which scenarios might necessitate a trip to the emergency room and which you can likely handle at home.
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How To Treat Food Poisoning
If you arent holding foods down, its best to avoid consuming solid foods until youre no longer having diarrhea or vomiting. Instead, opt for foods that are bland and easier to digest such as saltine crackers, jello, toast, or oatmeal. Other ways you can support the body while its healing include:
- Consuming broth, fluids, and electrolytes
- Getting lots of rest
- Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or fatty foods
The real question is, how long does food poisoning last? These symptoms will generally clear up on their own within a couple of days or even hours. In more severe cases, it may last up to ten days.
Pain Locator: Where Does It Hurt
Abdominal pain can have a wide range of causes. Understanding the nine regions and four quadrants of your abdomen can help pinpoint possible origins and identify associated ailments. Here’s a helpful guide.
Abdominal pain could be indicative of many ailments, ranging from gas and constipation to gallstones or pancreatitis. Understanding the type of pain you’re experiencing, where it’s originating from, and the severity of your ailment, could help you get the correct treatment before symptoms worsen.
It’s important to become acquainted with the nine regions of the abdomen, so you can better understand how your digestive organs function and are susceptible to a variety of medical issues.
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When In Doubt About Your Abdominal Pain Physicians Say Its Best To Call Your Doctor Or Head To The Er
The egg salad didn’t taste quite right, but you were hungry. Or maybe your craving for cheesecake outweighed the punishment you knew your lactose intolerance would inflict. You expect stomach distress in situations like these, but other times, abdominal pain can come out of nowhere. Sometimes it’s severe enough or lasts for so long that you know it’s not simply a matter of eating something that didn’t agree with you.
Digestive system issues account for 45.1 million visits to doctors’ offices and emergency departments yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The severity of the pain, its location within your abdominal area, and accompanying symptoms may provide clues to the origin of the pain and if you should seek help immediately. Here are some of the most common signs your tummy troubles need more than an over-the-counter remedy.
Severe Acute Pain In The Lower Right Side Of The Abdomen
Sudden pain in the lower part of the abdomen may be a sign of appendicitis. It may also be accompanied by a fever. Pain often begins around the belly button area and becomes worse with time. Vomiting or constipation or diarrhea along with the pain also indicate it’s time to go to the emergency room.
Appendicitis mostly affects kids and teens between the ages of 5 and 20. While there are many digestive health issues that can cause stomach pain in kids, it’s important to talk to your child’s doctor immediately if you suspect appendicitis – especially if the pain comes on suddenly over several hours or is persistent. Appendicitis often requires surgery. If left untreated, a ruptured appendix can be deadly.
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Should I Go To The Emergency Room For Food Poisoning
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning, while uncomfortable, is a fairly common illness but if you notice your symptoms are progressing, you may start wondering, when should I go to the emergency room for food poisoning?
You should immediately seek food poisoning treatment in the ER if you begin to notice blood in your urine, feces, or vomit, diarrhea lasting more than three days, or signs of severe dehydration including extreme thirst, loss of consciousness, or confusion.
Understanding the common symptoms of food poisoning can help you recognize when your symptoms become a cause for concern. In this article, we are going to cover the basics of foodborne illness and how to know when its time to seek emergency care.
Left Lower Quadrant Pain
The lower left side of the abdomen is the last part of your colon, and for women, the left ovaries. Minor discomfort in this region is usually nothing to worry about. It will heal and make you feel comfortable on its own. Left lower quadrant pain is abdominal pain that is principally in the lower half on the left-hand side. It is also known as left iliac fossa pain, although this means pain in a smaller space in the lower-left edge of your stomach.
If you have anxiety associated with an accident or injury, go to local emergency services right away. Likewise, attempt urgent medical attention if you feel pressure or pain in your chest.
Rush to urgent care or an emergency room if you have:
- Fever
- Jaundice
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