Lower abdominal pain on the left
causes
The causes of left lower abdominal pain can be varied and must be clarified in each case.
The diagnosis and the urgency of action should be adapted to the severity of the complaints. The more acute the symptoms, the faster and more urgently the patient should be examined.
The pain can also be felt more like a burning sensation.
Read more on the topic: Burning in the abdomen and burning in the abdomen and burning in the lower abdomen - these are the causes!
One of the most common causes of left-sided lower abdominal pain is so-called diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is an inflammatory change in the bulging of the large intestine. Acute diverticulitis can cause severe burning to sore pelvic pain. The main location is usually the left lower abdomen.
In addition to the intestine, one of the ureters runs along approximately the level of the left abdominal area. It can also always happen that a kidney stone has lodged in a ureter and causes discomfort there.
The pancreas lies over the upper middle of the abdomen. An inflammatory change in this organ usually leads to belt-shaped complaints. In some cases, however, patients may complain of left lower abdominal pain.
An overview of pain on the left can be found at: Pain on the left side of the body
With simultaneous nausea
If Lower abdominal pain associated with nausea occur the assumption that a disease of the intestine is behind the symptoms. In the case of severe left-sided lower abdominal complaints that are accompanied by nausea, one applies Diverticulitis to be excluded as a diagnosis. Also a complete closure of the intestine (Ileus) can cause nausea as well as pelvic pain. Inflammatory bowel disease such as Infections Viruses or bacteria as well as tumors of the intestine can also be responsible for the complaints.
- Diverticulitis
- Intestinal obstruction
When coughing
When you cough, a Overpressure inside the abdomenwhich can be responsible for causing pain in the lower abdomen. Pain associated with coughing should be passed on to you Hernia make you think. But also other diseases, such as pain with inflammation of the urinary tract such as one Cystitis can be aggravated by coughing. Also one chronically inflamed prostate can cause more pain when coughing.
- Cystitis
- Inflammation of the prostate
When moving
Lower abdominal discomfort on the left side can also movement dependent occur. The fact that the pain is movement-dependent, plus the type of pain and any other symptoms, can help diagnose the causative disease.
First of all, movement-dependent pain in the lower abdomen should suggest diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Skeletal or muscular disorders can also cause pain in the lower abdomen in some cases and are usually movement-dependent. On the other hand, if pain occurs sporting activity on, can that as Stitch known phenomenon also cause pain in the lower abdomen on the left side.
Also at Flatulence it can cause extremely uncomfortable pain in the lower abdomen on the left side. Depending on the movement, these winds may “sit tight” in the bowel and cause movement-dependent pain.
Pain in the left lower abdomen when walking
Pain in the lower abdomen, which can occur exclusively or more intensely when walking, due to various diseases. A Vtense back or Pelvic muscles may as well be responsible for the discomfort as well organic causes. Sometimes “tight” winds in the intestine can also trigger the pain in the lower abdomen when walking. If the pain only occurs when walking, it can also mean the occurrence of Stitch act.
Pain extends into the leg
If in addition to the lower abdominal pain on the left side this is in the Radiate leg, the assumption is that it is a Musculoskeletal disease or a cause of the Nervous system acts. Muscular tension in the back can affect nerves in such a way that the pain radiates into the leg. Also at Herniated discs will often describe this phenomenon. The likelihood of a herniated disc is particularly increased if, in addition to the symptoms, paralysis of the leg also occurs.
Lower abdominal pain on the left of the woman
In addition to those causes which can be responsible for the occurrence of left-sided pelvic pain in both men and women, there are some causes specific for the female gender. Above all, the female genital organs can cause pelvic pain, which can be felt on the left side, among other things. Women who suffer from lower abdominal pain on the left side can therefore have other causes as well Ovarian diseases, Fallopian tubes or the uterus Suffer.
Probably the most common cause of pelvic pain in women is pain that occurs in the context of the Menstrual bleeding occur. This pain can be individually stronger or weaker and is rarely a cause for concern. The reason for the occurrence of these complaints is the detachment of the mucous membrane of the uterus that has built up during the cycle and is shed during menstruation. Typical for this type of complaint are cramping or pulling pains in the abdomen, which can occur both on the left and the right.
So-called Ovarian cysts be. These can occur in the context of illnesses or in isolation. Usually, cysts do not cause pain. However, if these become so large that neighboring structures are impaired, severe discomfort can arise. Especially if you were practicing sports or other movements were carried out briskly shortly before the pain twisted ovary be thought. The lack of blood supply, which results from this clinical picture, causes very severe pain in the lower abdomen.
The clinical picture of the Endometriosis be. Here, the lining of the uterus is present in other parts of the body and causes discomfort.
Also one Ectopic pregnancy is a possible cause of left-sided abdominal discomfort in women.
Inflammation of the female genital organs as well as the presence sexually transmitted diseases should also be considered.
Not exclusively found in women, but statistically significantly more common Cystitis. These can sometimes lead to severe pain in the lower abdomen. Cystitis should be considered especially if the urination symptoms increase.
If no other cause is found, it is Tumor in the left lower abdomen also a possible cause of left lower abdominal pain.
During pregnancy
In addition to many other physical changes, pelvic problems often occur as part of a pregnancy on. This pain can be caused by different causes, depending on the point in time during the pregnancy. In the most cases put this are not cause for concern and are harmless. This type of pain is usually caused by stretching the uterus and reducing space in other surrounding organs. Later in the pregnancy, the child himself can cause the pain by moving. So-called Exercise contractions in the last trimester are also possible causes.
In some cases, however, lower abdominal pain can be the expression of various clinical pictures that require medical attention. At the beginning of a pregnancy you may experience pain from a Ectopic pregnancy can be triggered, as this is usually noticeable by pelvic jokes. Also a Abortion can manifest itself as pelvic discomfort and is usually accompanied by bleeding. In addition to these pregnancy-specific causes, other reasons can of course also be responsible for the pelvic pain during pregnancy. If the pain is very severe, accompanied by vaginal bleeding or other symptoms occur, the attending gynecologist should always be consulted.
Lower abdominal pain on the left in the man
Some diseases that can occur specifically in men can be the cause of left-sided lower abdominal pain. Here, diseases that affect the male genital organs should be emphasized as causes. Overall, however, lower abdominal complaints in men are significantly less likely to be caused by diseases of the genital organs than is the case with women.
A possible cause for the appearance of left abdominal pain is a so-called Testicular torsion. Increased mobility of the testicle or an accident can lead to a testicle rotating on its own axis and thus blocking the blood supply. A testicular torsion represents one urological emergency dar and should treated as soon as possible so that the testicle does not die. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen and the groin, a swollen and darkly discolored testicle is an indication of the presence of testicular torsion.
Also Diseases of the prostate can be reasons for the occurrence of the pelvic discomfort. Especially in older people there is often a so-called benign prostatic hyperplasia. This benign enlargement of the prostate can be responsible for the pelvic discomfort, among other things. Chronic inflammation of the prostate and cancer of the prostate can also lead to symptoms in the lower abdomen.
- Enlargement of the prostate
- Prostate pain
As with women, if you have unclear pelvic problems in men, you should be aware of the presence of a sexually transmitted disease be thought. If in addition to the pelvic discomfort symptoms like Burning or painful urination there is also the likelihood that such a disease is the cause.
Lower abdominal pain, which occurs there as part of back pain, is also more common in men than women. Tense muscles of the back can simulate complaints in the lower abdomen via nerve pathways. Therefore, this cause should be considered, especially if back pain occurs at the same time.
diagnosis
To the root cause To find out about the lower abdominal pain, in addition to the patient survey, you should ask about:
- Art and Beginning of pain and after
- Frequency of complaints
The comprehensive physical examination should find out how sensitive the abdomen is, whether the pain is localized in one place or whether it is moving.
For further clarification, a Ultrasonic be carried out in which one Fluid build-up can see in the abdominal area as well Wall thickenings of the intestine.
Especially one Inflammation of the pancreas can be diagnosed this way. Furthermore, a Blood test be performed. Inflammation of any kind is characterized by one Increase in white blood cells and possibly a strong increase in the so-called C-reactive protein (CRP). In addition, parameters such as Lipase and Amylase to be determined.
Left-sided abdominal pain illustration
- Heart - Cor
- Liver - Hepar
- Spleen - Sink
- Stomach - Guest
- Pancreas -
Pancreas - Colon -
Intestine tenue - Small intestine -
Intestinum crassum - Fallopian tubes -
Tuba uterina - Ovary -
Ovary - Uterus -
uterus
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
Therapy of lower abdominal pain
Has a Diverticulitis If the cause of the complaints is found, one can first try antibiotic Start therapy.
Especially with subacute Gradients and less strong Inflammation can be caused by the conservative Treatment an improvement of the findings can be achieved. If there have been multiple inflammations in the past or if the inflammation is very severe, a operational Removal of the affected section of intestine can be carried out.
The removal of Kidney stones can through endoscopic Rescue or stone fragmentation take place. The Inflammation of the pancreas is treated with antibiotics.
