As there are lots of organs within the left side of the abdominal area, there can be a lot of various causes for pain occurring in this area. Knowing the right causes may assist you eliminate it quicker.
If you draw an imaginary line on the center of the abdominal area, you can explain left side abdominal pain as the pain takes place on the left side of the abdomen. Sharp left side abdominal pain can be caused both by organs and structures on the left section of the abdominal area along with those situated away from the abdominal area. Women are more likely to experience pain on left side of abdomen simply due to the fact that they have more organs in this area.
In many cases pain on left side of abdomen cames with back pain, after eating, during pregnancy, with constipation, under rib, above hip bone, below rib cage, with gas, during intercourse, with nausea & vomiting, in child, before bowel movement, when breathing, when urinating, with diarrhea, after birth, with bleeding, etc.
Organs in the Left Side Abdomen
Organs in the Upper Left Side Abdomen
The organs found in the upper left side abdominal areas consist of the spleen, a portion of the bowel or large intestinal tracts, part of the pancreas, a portion of the stomach and the left kidney in addition to the skin, muscles and left lower ribs that cover these organs. The heart can be found simply above this location. You are likewise able to discover a portion of the left edge of the liver, the leading part of the left ureter, the top of the left lung’s behind and the left side’s adrenal gland. The aorta can also be discovered on this side in cases when it is distended.
Organs in the Lower Left Side Abdomen
Numerous of the organs found in the lower left side abdominal areas are continuations of those found in the upper area although others are completely various. Here you can discover the lower edge of the kidney on the left side, the left ureter, a part of the large bowel, the sigmoid colon, and a part from the urinary bladder, huge capillary and nerves and in ladies, the left tube and ovary. This is naturally all covered by muscles and skin, such as in the upper left side abdomen. It is very important to note that simply due to the fact that a structure is not found within the abdomen does not mean that it can not cause pain in this area.
Causes of Upper Left Side Abdominal Pain
1. Gastric Volvulus
Stomach volvulus is when the stomach twists on itself. This can take place when one side flips onto the other either along the axis (axial volvulus) or when the upper part turns down (mesentero-axial volvulus). Someone might experience a combination of both types of issues. It is uncommon but more typical in adults than in kids. In children it makes up for 20 % of the cases of volvulus and these happen within the first year of age. The symptoms are severe abdominal pain in the central upper abdominal area and retching without vomiting. If the severe pain was not eased on time, patient may start throwing up blood.
2. Caught Wind
A person suffering from caught wind would feel mainly healthy but experience cramp-like abdominal pain, be puffed up and have loud bowel noises. The very best cure for this type of pain is to pass wind. Caught wind is one of the most common causes of left-side abdominal pain.
3. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The Aorta is the significant blood vessel bring blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If this is distended and ruptures or leaks it is called Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. This normally causes severe pain in the abdomen and even the back. For some, the pain will be localized to the left side of the abdominal area. Somebody suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm can unexpectedly collapse, or might have a drop in blood pressure and end up being cold and light.
4. Bowel Cancer
Symptoms of bowel cancer consist of a modification in bowel routines (enhanced constipation), weight reduction, poor appetite and a feel of weak point. The symptoms would persist for a number of months. It will trigger pain in the upper left abdominal area when cancer impacts the descending colon. It’s vital to keep in mind that weight-loss, bowel habit modifications and loss of appetite might be signs of illness such as ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation, IBS, Crohn’s illness and celiac disease. It is extremely suggested to look for a doctor’s advice if you’re experiencing any of the above.
5. Kidney Stones
Kidney stones in the left side of the abdominal area can trigger the best pain ever felt. It can likewise cause throwing up as well as a dispersing of the pain from the loin to the groin. When there is an accumulation of minerals a stone can form down the kidney or in the ureter. The pain may remain in the upper left abdomen when the stone remains in this area. It may trigger you to look for different positions to alleviate yourself of the pain. The pain can also spread out throughout the abdomen and even into the penis of some men.
Gastrointestinal disorder will usually trigger throwing up (either actual vomiting of the feeling of doing so) and may also include a fever. The pain may occur anywhere from one to 48 hours after taking in the food. It can occur from chemical contamination of food or poor quality food.
7. Kidney Infection
The symptoms of a kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, can include sensation weak as well as being feverish and vomiting. Furthermore, the pain will mainly happen in the abdominal area (upper to lower). The pain has the tendency to be localized in the back and lower abdominal areas. It can be identified with a few easy tests from your doctor.
8. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis usually starts with pain in the central part of upper abdominal area, above the belly button. When struggling with pancreatitis, the patient will feel pain appear to begin with no trigger. However, it typically is triggered by alcohol consumption several days before. It can start all of a sudden but will then get progressively worse. It frequently begins above the belly button and advances from there depending on where in the pancreas the problem is taking place.
9. Pancreatic Cancer
Someone suffering from pancreatic cancer will likewise experience weight reduction, change in bowel habits, jaundice, pale stools and a lack of hunger. When cancer is affecting the tail, head or body of the pancreas there will be abdominal pain.
10. Pneumonia
Lower lobe pneumonia can trigger left side abdominal pain in the form of a sharp or squashing sensation. They will likewise have fever and a cough which might be productive triggering brown or yellow phlegm. Pneumonia is triggered by a swelling of the lower part of the lung and it can trigger upper left abdomen pain.
11. Transverse Colon Volvulus
Transverse colon volvulus would produce significant abdominal pain. The other symptoms would be extremely much like those of a digestive obstruction. At the onset, it is frequently really uncomfortable. Seldom will it trigger digestive obstruction but when it does it can be fatal quickly.
12. Other Causes
Some other causes of upper left side abdominal pain are malaria, mishaps that involve the spleen, spleen infections, musculoskeletal pain and Henoch-Schönlein-purpura.
Causes for Lower Left Side Abdominal Pain
In addition to triggering upper left side abdominal pain, numerous of the causes noted above (bowel cancer, abdominal aortic aneurysm, gastrointestinal disorder, Henoch-Schonlein-purpura, kidney infections or stones, transverse color volvulus or trapped wind) can be the reason for lower left side abdominal pain.
Diverticulitis is the most common reason for pain in the lower part of abdominal area. When experiencing diverticulitis, most of the pain will occur in the lower area of the abdominal area and almost always on the left side. This usually happens after age 60. It causes a persistent pain in the colon and is caused by pouches in the digestive walls.
2. Bowel Obstruction
When experiencing bowel obstruction, the abdominal pain remains in the kind of cramping or gripping and is accompanied by the abdomen distending and vomiting. There might likewise be loud sounds from the bowels called borborygmi. If the obstruction is on the left side there will be abdomen pain on the lower left side. Depending upon whether or not the obstruction is overall you might not even be able to pass gas.
3. Constipation
In addition to pain, constipation can cause the absence of ability to pass feces normally, a sensation of being bloated and an absence of weight loss. Whether it’s persistent or freshly gotten constipation it can cause pain in the abdominal area.
4. Crohn’s Disease
The symptoms of Crohn’s Disease can be really just like those of other causes. It is identified, nevertheless, by being a persistent problem. It is thought about an inflammatory bowel condition. When it happens it affects the sigmoid colon or the descending colon, which can lead to pain in the lower left abdominal area.
5. Ectopic Pregnancy
When a woman of child-bearing age experiences lower abdominal area pain this is generally the very first reason which a doctor believes. When experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, a lady will normally experience dull to sharp pain and possible vaginal bleeding. It can also include a sensation of lightheadedness and is an immediate matter. It is the exact same as a tubal pregnancy and takes place early adequate that the woman typically doesn’t even know she’s pregnant.
6. Endometriosis
When experiencing endometriosis, the lower left side pain is generally focused on the left ovary, tube or the start of the huge bowels. It is sometimes possible to feel a little swelling as well. It is triggered by womb tissue that is regular being found outside of the womb. It can be difficult to identify so as the pain is usually seen throughout menses and on whichever side is more impacted.
7. Hernia
A hernia can trigger symptoms of bowel obstruction as well as abdominal pain on the lower left side. It is triggered by a part of the bowel or gut pouching out through an opening in the wall which contains it. Hernias can be found other areas than the gut too.
8. IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes symptoms of abdominal aches as well as gas and bloating, diarrhea and passing small difficult stools. This is a disorder of the digestive tract that provides structural issues as well as physical issues. It can trigger the defecation to be any variety from constipation through diarrhea.
9. Ovarian Cyst (Twist Or Rupture)
An ovarian cyst will cause an abrupt pain that is localized on the portion of the womb where the ovary can be discovered. This can likewise spread to the thighs. There is no fever and no change in cravings although the pain can be anywhere from moderate to severe. Not having a fever and the suddenness of the pain will set an ovarian cyst apart from appendicitis.
10. Psoas Abscess
In addition to lower abdominal pain, psoas abscess can likewise trigger a poor hunger, weight-loss, swelling and night sweats. This occurs when there is an infection in the kidney that influences the lower part of the abdominal area. When pus gathers it can cause pain and swelling.
11. Rectus Sheath Haematoma
Rectus sheath haematoma can cause a mass that causes considerable pain. When it occurs on the left side of the body, it causes lower abdominal pain. It happens when a blood vessel in the groin moves to the abdomen and damaged. The blood then travels under the muscle along the abdominal area causing pain.
12. Sigmoid Volvulus
The pain caused by sigmoid volvulus is unexpected in nature. It can be often accompanied by the absence of ability to open the bowels along with a significantly distended stomach. It has the tendency to afflict the elderly and occurs from the large bowel (sigmoid) twisting upon itself which will trigger an obstruction. It can present as a significantly swollen stomach.
