The location of abdominal pain may be the upper, lower, left, or right side, each giving a clue of what might be wrong the abdomen has different multiple organs and any of them can cause abdominal pain. the location of the pain suggests the origin or cause of pain. Our focus here is the left side of the abdomen, read on to know the causes, symptoms, and what to do.
Organs that make up the abdomen
- heart
- left lung
- spleen
- left kidney
- pancreas
- stomach
Possible Causes of upper left abdominal pain
1 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
This refers to the collection of symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. IBS is a disorder that causes:
- diarrhea,
- stomach pain,
- constipation
- Change in bowel movement
- bloating
- tiredness
IBS is a condition that occurs due to:
- Bacterial infection
- food intolerances or sensitivity
- depression
- stress
Below are lifestyle changes that will benefit people with IBS
- increasing fiber consumption
- engaging in more exercise
- taking probiotics
- ensuring better sleeping hygiene and enough rest
- Avoiding stress
2 Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
IBD is a term used to describe chronic Gastrointestinal tract inflammation. the gastrointestinal tract consists of the pharynx, small and large intestine, esophagus, stomach, and anus. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common types of IBD.
symptoms of IBD include:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- bloody stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- fatigue.
IBD and IBS are two different conditions that can cause similar symptoms. their treatment is different as well.
3 Kidney stone
Kidney stone is developed when dissolved minerals like calcium build up inside the kidney. small kidney stones are able to pass out through urine without pain. while larger ones cause:
- abdomen and back pain
- nausea
- blood in urine
- pain when urinating
- vomiting.
In this situation, drinking a lot of water and taking pain relievers will help minimize the symptoms. people with larger kidney stones will need surgery to remove them.
4 Enlarged Spleen
A problem with the spleen can cause pain in the upper left abdomen. certain conditions such as liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or infections can cause the spleen to be enlarged. other symptoms include:
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- frequent and recurring infections
- feeling full easily even from small food
- bleeding easily.
In rare cases, an injury to the left side of the body can cause the spleen to rupture resulting in pain in the upper left abdomen.
3 Bruised or broken ribs
it is possible one or more ribs are cracked or bruised and this may cause pain around the affected ribs. it may also cause chest pain when breathing in. injuries to the ribs heals within 3-6 weeks on their own. however, you can help the healing process by:
- using pain relievers
- breathing slow and deep to clear any mucus from the lungs.
- when coughing hold the pillow against the chest
- apply a cold compress to the ribs to reduce swelling
A broken rib is likely to injure surrounding organs. hence you should see a doctor if you suspect broken ribs and experiencing:
- shoulder pain
- worsen chest pain
- shortness of breath
- cough up blood
4 Kidney infection
This is a common type of urinary tract infection. most often, bacteria infect the bladder and spread to one of the kidneys. it causes pain in the left upper abdomen if the left kidney is infected. other symptoms are:
- frequent urination
- pain when urinating
- pain in the back and groin
- fever
- nausea
- vomiting
A person experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor right away as a kidney infection is very dangerous.
Causes of lower left abdomen pain
1 Gas
A person may swallow air while eating or natural digestion processes can cause gas to be trapped in the digestive tract. this is not something to worry about as it will pass through the rectum or esophagus. This gas can cause pain and discomfort until it moves out of the system.
causes of gas are:
- digesting foods can release gas
- swallowing air
- smoking
- chewing gum
- overeating
- undigested foods
- bacteria
You may see your doctor if frequent gas pain is accompanied by:
- constipation
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- unintentional weight loss
2 Lactose Intolerance
This is a situation in which a person has trouble digesting milk and milk-based products due to an insufficient amount of Lactase an enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk. High levels of lactose in the bloodstream may develop other symptoms like:
- loose stool or diarrhea
- pain in the abdomen
- bloating
- gas pain
- nausea
- a growling or rumbling stomach
3 Intestinal obstruction
It is a condition when a blockage occurs in the intestine and food can not pass through the digestive tract which results in painful backup the requires urgent medical attention. symptoms include:
- abdominal pain
- inability to pass stool
- distention
- vomiting
- constipation
Lower left abdominal pain can also be caused by IBD, IBS, constipation, Kidney stone, etc.
When to see a doctor
you should see a doctor immediately if abdomen pain is accompanied by the following symptoms.
- weakness
- black, tar-like stools
- blood in the stools, urine, or vomit
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- high fever
- dizziness
Conclusion
we’ve been able to list some of the causes for pain in the left side of the abdomen. you should report any unusual pain and symptoms to your doctor. that way treatment will be base on the underlying condition.