By Medicover Hospitals / 25 March 2022
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Left side stomach pain
Indigestion is typically characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen, which is accompanied by symptoms such as belching, bloating, or a hard abdomen. If you have upper or lower left side pain, a high fever, nausea, vomiting, or severe stomach pain, seek emergency care to rule out any of the serious conditions listed above.
Other causes of left-side stomach pain
If not due to gas, here are some causes of left side stomach pain -
Diverticulosis - It is an inflammation of the diverticula pouches in the large intestine and is one of the most common causes of pain on the left side. It leads to abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. It is not a severe condition it can be treated.
Stones in the kidneys - Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are calcium or uric acid deposits that accumulate in the kidneys. When they pass through the urinary tract, they are excruciatingly painful. Common kidney stone symptoms include left side or back pain, painful urination, fever, nausea, and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms of kidney stone pain, go to the nearest emergency room.
Constipation - Constipation is another cause of abdominal pain on the left side of the body. Constipation is usually caused by a lack of exercise, dehydration, or a low-fiber diet. Most cases of constipation do not necessitate a trip to the emergency room and can be easily alleviated by increasing daily movement and drinking plenty of water.
Ulcers in the stomach - Stomach ulcers, also known as gastritis or stomach inflammation, are sores in the stomach lining that are frequently caused by infections or the overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They can cause upper left side pain and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and bloody or black stools or vomit. Stomach ulcers can heal on their own, but they frequently recur if not treated properly.
When to worry about pain on my left side?
- Fever
- Vomiting or nausea
- Cold skin
- Breathing fast
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Muscle deterioration
- Vomit or bloody stools
- Pain in the abdomen that lasts more than a week
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, excess gas or constipation causes left-sided abdominal pain.
Normally, left side stomach pain will go within 2 to 3 days when caused by minor conditions such as excess gas or constipation.
Here are some quick methods for releasing trapped gas, such as burping or passing gas.
- Massage the painful area gently.
- Yoga asanas
- Drink water
- Herbs
When the left side pain appears frequently along with other symptoms, it might be something serious. However, it can be treated easily by consulting a doctor.
Citations
There are lots of reasons why women of all ages might experience abdominal pain. It’s extremely common and generally easy to manage if you know the cause.
‘Most lower abdominal pain in females isn’t a sign of a serious condition, but occasionally there can be something that needs investigating. If you do experience this type of pain, it’s helpful to familiarise yourself with the area of the tummy that hurts and how to manage the different types of pain,’ says Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi.
The lower abdomen refers to the part of your tummy below the belly button. Pain in that area might also be referred to as pelvic pain.
What causes central lower abdominal pain?
A woman’s lower abdomen has two main organs including the uterus (womb) and part of the bowel. Here are some of the potential causes of pain in this area.
Period pain
Period pain is usually a crampy, dull or tight pain in the middle of the lower abdomen, sometimes spreading further into the lower back. It can be very uncomfortable, but many people find they can manage it with a hot water bottle and painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A UTI or water infection can also cause lower abdominal pain in women, as well as urinary symptoms like burning when you pee, or needing to go to the toilet very frequently or urgently.
Mild urinary tract infections like cystitis often clear up on their own if you drink plenty of fluids, but more persistent UTIs might need a short course of antibiotics, which a GP can prescribe. More severe UTIs can affect the kidneys, and might cause lower back pain on either or both sides, and make you feel generally unwell, sometimes with flu-like symptoms.
It’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible if your symptoms are more severe or if you have recurring UTI symptoms.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Infections in the reproductive system can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. An untreated infection in the reproductive tract can become very serious and lead to long-term problems, so needs to be treated by a doctor.
These kinds of infections are often caused by an underlying sexually transmitted infection (STI), so if you’re sexually active, make sure you have regular sexual health screening.
Pain during sex, spotting or discoloured, smelly discharge can be other symptoms of an STI, or infection of the reproductive system.
What causes pain in the lower left abdomen?
‘Any of the causes of one-sided abdominal pain listed above, can just affect the left side, but there are some reasons that the pain might be only on the left – particularly because the bowel is closer to the end of the digestive system,’ says Dr Rhianna McClymont.
Gas (flatulence)
A common cause for pain on your left side is trapped or excessive wind and bloating. Gas builds up in the digestive tract by swallowing air or as a by-product of gut bacteria breaking down foods. Having some gas is perfectly normal, but having a lot of wind could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
Polyps or diverticular disease
Diverticular disease can affect the lower left side too, or can cause more generalised pain. Polyps are small wart-like lumps in the bowel, and diverticular disease is a condition where the bowel forms tiny pockets that become inflamed and painful.
Diverticulitis and polyps can both cause diarrhoea and sometimes bleeding in the bowel. If you notice [blood in your poo, or if your poo looks black and tarry](//www.livi.co.uk/your-health/10-things-your-poo-can-tell-you-about-your-health/), it’s important to speak to a doctor straight away.
What causes pain in the lower right abdomen?
Appendicitis
The right lower abdomen contains the part of the bowel where the small intestine meets the large intestine. The appendix is a small part of the bowel which is found where the intestines join, and this can sometimes get inflamed, swollen, and infected. Appendicitis is a painful intestinal disorder that causes intense lower right abdominal pain – although the pain might also spread across the lower abdomen.
Causes of general lower abdominal pain
Muscular pain
Muscular pain can account for some cases of lower abdominal pain. A strained muscle from exercise or an injury can be very painful, affect one or both sides, or be more generalised across the lower abdomen.
Sometimes it’s possible to work out how or when muscular pain started, and this makes it more manageable with regular painkillers and lots of rest.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes major changes in a female’s body shape and places a huge amount of strain on the organs and muscles of the lower abdomen. As well as general discomfort in this area, women often experience pain from Braxton Hicks contractions during the later stages of pregnancy, as the muscles prepare for childbirth.
You can always speak to a midwife or your local prenatal team for advice if you have any concerns about your health during pregnancy. There are some less common causes of lower abdominal pain in pregnancy that can be more serious. If you experience any severe, sudden or unexplained pain, or pain alongside unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding, go to your nearest A&E for urgent medical advice.
Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancies affect around 11,000 people in the UK every year. Women affected can have problems with one ovary or fallopian tube that leads to lower abdominal pain either in one or both sides. This complication can also cause general or central lower abdominal pain, which is usually very severe.
When to see a doctor
‘Occasional lower abdominal pain isn’t unusual for women, and period pain is a particularly common cause. Most of the time, this type of pain can be easily managed at home with pain relief, hot water bottles, rest or gentle exercise depending on the cause,’ reassures Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi.
‘Very severe, unexplained or unmanageable pain, with other concerning symptoms, should be checked by a doctor urgently.’ It isn’t always easy to identify the cause yourself, but if you do experience regular pain during your menstrual cycle or notice urinary or bowel problems, make a note of this if you do want to discuss your lower abdominal pain with a GP.