Abdominal pain on the left side can often be caused by gas and bloating. Gas pain can feel like a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache. Bloating may cause the abdomen to feel full and tight. These symptoms are usually temporary and resolve on their own.
Symptoms
Constipation is another common cause of abdominal pain. When stools become hard and difficult to pass, they can cause pain in the abdomen. This pain may be on the left side or the right side, depending on where the constipation is located.
Symptoms
Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the digestive system. It occurs when small sacs in the intestines become inflamed or infected. This can cause severe abdominal pain, usually on the left side.
Symptoms
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They can cause severe pain when they move or pass through the urinary system. The pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen on the left side.
Symptoms
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when the bacteria enter the urinary system and infect the ureters, bladder, kidneys, or urethra. UTIs are a common cause of abdominal pain, particularly in women. The pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen on the left side.
Symptoms
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the reproductive organs. It is a common complication of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). PID can cause severe abdominal pain, particularly on the left side.
Symptoms
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus. It is a medical emergency and can cause severe abdominal pain, especially on the left side.
Symptoms
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the ovaries. Most ovarian cysts are benign and cause no symptoms. However, some ovarian cysts can rupture and cause severe abdominal pain. The pain is usually felt on the left side.
Symptoms
Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This can cause severe abdominal pain, particularly on the left side.
Symptoms
Gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, can also cause abdominal pain. The pain may be on the left side or the right side, depending on the location of the problem.
Symptoms
A doctor can use a range of tools to investigate the various causes and determine a treatment plan if lower abdomen discomfort becomes severe or persistent.
When a primary care physician recognizes a specific disease, he or she will frequently refer the patient to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who will be able to give more specialized therapy.
The treatment will be determined by the ailment or disease that is causing the discomfort.
Lower abdominal pain caused by an infection, such as diverticulitis, is usually treated with medication and rest.
Other, more structural issues, such as a hernia or an obstruction in the intestine, may necessitate surgery.
Basic dietary changes and, in extreme situations, the use of laxatives are frequently used to treat constipation and gas. More careful, long-term dietary management can help manage symptoms of chronic lower abdomen pain, such as that caused by IBS or Crohn’s disease.
Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, are frequently treated by eliminating the offending food from the diet.