Abdominal pain lower left side.
Abdominal pain is very common physical complaint that can have a wide range of causes. Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen is very special and concerning because it can be a sign of serious different conditions which are as:
However, not all reported cases of abdominal pain are serious or alarming. In this post, i will discuss the most common causes of lower left abdominal pain,its symptoms, and treatments.
Causes of Lower Left Abdominal Pain.
1. Diverticulitis.
2. Ovarian Cysts.
3.Kidney Stones.
4. Constipation.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
6. Pelvic inflammatory disease.
7. Ectopic Pregnancy.
1. Diverticulitis:
Diverticulitis is a symptom in which small pouches (diverticula) present in the lining of the colon become inflamed or infected. The pain due to diverticulitis is mostly occurs in the lower left side of the abdomen, although some time it can starts on the right side. Other symptoms of diverticulitis generally are fever, nausea, vomiting, and constipation or diarrhea.
2. Ovarian Cysts:
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that is situated on the ovaries. Pain is start when Ovarian cysts are rupture or twist. The pain is typically felt on one side of the lower abdomen, and may be accompanied by bloating, irregular periods, and pain during intercourse.
3. Kidney Stones:
Kidney stones pain started because of stone deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain because they move through the urinary tract. The pain is often felt in the lower back, but can also be felt in the lower abdomen. Other symptoms of kidney stones may include nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine.
4.Constipation:
Constipation problem begin when stool moves very slowly through the digestive tract, causing it to become hard and difficult to pass it out. The pain of constipation is usually felt in the lower left side of the abdomen and may be accompanied by bloating and gas. There are so many symptoms of constipation which include straining during bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, and abdominal cramping.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition in which large intestine is badly affected. It can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. The pain of IBS is most commonly feels in the lower left side of the abdomen and can be relieved by passing gas or having a bowel movement.
6. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs, generally caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. The pain of PID is typically felt in the lower abdomen, although it can also be felt on one side or in the back. Other symptoms of PID may include fever, vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, and irregular periods.
7. Ectopic Pregnancy:
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. The pain of an ectopic pregnancy is usually felt on one side of the lower abdomen, and may be accompanied by vaginal bleeding, dizziness, and shoulder pain.
If any person feels severe or persistent pain in the lower left side of abdomen, or have other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or bloody stools, he should seek medical attention right away. These symptoms could be a sign of a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatments for abdominal pain on lower left side.
If you experience severe or persistent pain in the lower left side of your abdomen, or if you have other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bloody stools, you should seek medical attention right away. These symptoms could be a sign of a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.
To diagnose the cause of your lower left abdominal pain, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam, take a medical history, and order tests such as blood tests, urinalysis, and imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scan.
Any medical specialist or doctor cannot prescribe or provide medical treatment without a proper diagnosis and examination. But here, I can provide you with some general information about the medications commonly used to treat the following conditions:
1. Diverticulitis:
Treatment of diverticulitis usually decided by examine and it depends on the severity of the condition. Mostly following treatments are suggested by medical specialists:
a. Antibiotics:
In mild cases of diverticulitis, usually antibiotics are prescribed by medical specialists to treat the infection and reduce inflammation.
b. Pain killers:
Pain killers for example acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be used to reduce the pain causes by diverticulitis. However, avoid the use opioids because they can worsen the condition.
c. Bowel rest:
During the period of diverticulitis, it is important to give the digestive tract time to rest. This may involve advise patient take temporary liquid diet or do fasting.
d. Surgery:
In severe cases, or in case of complication, surgery is last option to remove the affected portion of the colon(large intestine).
e. Probiotics:
Probiotics are good choice because they may help to restore the balance of gut bacteria naturally, which can be disrupted during an episode of diverticulitis.
f. Fiber supplements:
Once the infection has gone away, it is necessary to enhance fiber intake to prevent future attack of disease. A medical specialist may recommend fiber supplements or a high-fiber diet.
2. Ovarian cysts:
a. Birth control pills, can be prescribed to prevent new cysts from forming and to regulate the menstrual cycle.
b. Pain killers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help to reduce pain associated with ovarian cysts.
3. Kidney stones:
a. Pain killers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help to reduce pain.
b. Alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin or terazosin, can help relax the muscles in the ureter and facilitate the passage of the stone.
4. Constipation:
a. Fiber supplements like Metamucil and Citrucel can help soften the stool and increase bowel movements.
b. Osmotic laxatives such as Miralax can help increase the amount of water in the stool, making it easier to pass.
5. Irritable bowel syndrome:
a. Antispasmodics such as dicyclomine or hyoscyamine can help to reduce abdominal cramping.
b. Probiotics such like Align or Culturelle can help restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
c. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline can help to reduce pain and improve bowel function.
6. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:
a. Antibiotics such as doxycycline and ceftriaxone are commonly used to treat PID.
b. Pain killers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to reduce pain associated with PID.
All the above treatment options for these conditions may vary based on individual factors such as the severity of the condition, patient's medical history, and potential side effects of the medication. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
