Severe, lower left abdominal pain can occur for many factors. Your first idea may be a gastrointestinal system problem, which is probably. But a condition including the reproductive, urinary or circulatory system, and even a muscle issue might be to blame. With numerous possibilities, figuring out the source of your pain can be challenging. Because severe abdominal pain in some cases signals a serious and perhaps life-threatening problem, it’s important to seek medical attention right now for examination, diagnosis and treatment.
Gastrointestinal System
Acute diverticulitis is the most typical diagnosis amongst adults seeking medical care for lower left abdominal pain. This condition includes inflammation of little outpouchings of the colon wall called diverticula. While diverticula do not cause symptoms in and of themselves, abdominal pain occurs if when they become inflamed. The pain is usually in the lower left abdominal area due to the fact that this is where diverticula most often establish. Other possible symptoms include bloating, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea or constipation.
Other gastrointestinal system conditions can likewise cause severe , lower left abdominal pain. Examples consist of:
- severe constipation, often due to a low-fiber diet or medication
- inflammatory bowel disease, consisting of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis
- infection of the colon, called infectious colitis
- strangulated groin hernia, where a part of bowel gets trapped in the hernia and loses its blood supply.
Reproductive System
For women of childbearing age, sharp pain in the lower left abdominal area may suggest a problem in the reproductive system. Possibilities include:
- miscarriage
- ectopic pregnancy, where the pregnancy takes place outside the womb
- endometriosis
- ovarian cyst
- ovarian torsion, or twisting of the ovary
- uterine fibroids, noncancerous tumors of the uterus
For women of any age, a tumor of the uterus or ovary is likewise a consideration.
Male reproductive system issues can likewise cause unexpected severe pain in the lower left abdominal area, although less frequently than in women. Examples of possible causes include:
- infection or inflammation of the critical blisters, glands near the prostate that secrete fluid found in semen
- infection or inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis
- testicular torsion, or twisting of the testicle
Urinary System
Urolithiasis describes a stone in the kidneys or ureters, televisions that bring urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The stones establish when chemicals in the urine kind crystals that aggregate into a solid stone. A stone in the left kidney or ureter can cause severe or cramping pain on that side of the abdomen. The pain might also be felt in the left mid-back, side and groin. Common accompanying symptoms include nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine and pain with urination.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also at some point cause severe pain in the lower left abdominal area, especially if the left kidney is involved. Similar to a urinary tract stone, pain might likewise take place in the flank area below the ribs in the back of the body, or be more centrally located instead of one-sided. Increased urinary frequency and pain or burning on urination also typically accompany a UTI.
Other Causes
Many other conditions can in some cases cause sudden, severe, lower left abdominal pain. For instance, a bruise, or hematoma, of the abdominal wall muscles in the area can cause pain and tenderness. Circulatory system problems may likewise be to blame, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This condition takes place when weak point of the aorta — the big artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart — balloons and may burst. A blood clot or inflammation of blood vessels in the lower left abdomen can also lead to severe pain in the area.
Warnings and Precautions
Severe pain in your lower left abdomen may be due to something as easy as constipation, this symptom should not be neglected. With the wide variety of possible conditions that can set off pain in this location, just a physician can figure out the underlying cause and appropriate treatment to assist you feel much better.
In some situations, lower left abdominal pain signals a medical emergency situation. Look for instant treatment if your pain is severe, worsening or accompanied by other symptoms, consisting of:
- vaginal bleeding
- high fever chills or clammy skin
- nausea and vomiting
- failure to pass gas or stool
- abdominal tenderness
- dizziness or fainting
- bloody or tarry stools
- testicular pain or inflammation
