Stomach pain on left side: Abdominal pains can appear at any time. While it may just be a cramp, the pain may also be a sign of a more serious illness. If the abdominal pain is on the left side of your body or your left lower quadrant, it may be a number of diseases or conditions.
The abdomen is the area between the chest and the pelvis. It contains vital organs involved in digestion, such as the intestines and the liver. The lower right portion of the abdomen contains a part of the colon and the right ovary in women.
What is stomach pain or discomfort?
Sometimes, you may have pain/discomfort in a particular part of your belly or all over the belly for a short or long period of time.
You may also experience troubling symptoms such as bloating, belching and nausea or heartburn, diarrhea or constipation along with cramps.
It may be seen across different age groups in both genders. Worldwide, there are various nomenclatures used to describe belly pain, frequency, severity, impact of pain, and response.
Your stomach pain could be continuous or intermittent, with or without a relationship to eating, defecation, or menses. The pain may affect your everyday digestion (hunger or bowel habits).
Location of the Pain
The abdomen can be roughly subdivided several ways; all of these ways (terms) have appeared in the medical literature:
- Upper abdomen (the horizontal line about the level of the umbilicus), lower,
- Right upper and lower,
- Left upper and lower, and
- Pelvis (right and left).
Using the illustration, most of the organs in the abdominal area can be seen. Those that are not shown can be localized easily (for example, the kidneys, ureters, and bladder located mainly in the lower abdomen, both left and right kidneys in the retroperitoneal space, behind the intestines with the bladder located in the central pelvis area in front of the lower intestines). Using this type of diagram, you and your doctor may more easily localize abdominal pain and its potential source.
8 Causes of Stomach pain on Left Side
1. Stomach ulcer
This may cause acute or chronic pain in the left upper part of your abdomen. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting. Bleeding in the stomach may cause bloody vomiting or stool that is bloody, black, or tarry.
2.Appendicitis
Do you feel pain about 2 inches left of your belly button? While appendicitis is usually associated with the right side of your body, the initial pain often starts near the belly button and can be misinterpreted as coming from the left. An appendicitis infection can cause serious problems if left untreated. Be on the lookout for pain moving to the right side of the abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting, and seek medical treatment immediately.
3. Pregnancy
One-sided lower back pain can occur during pregnancy as the baby develops and the mother’s body accommodates. Pain can vary from a dull, constant ache to sharp, stabbing pain. Exercise, stretching, rest, and some complementary therapies can help ease the pain.
4. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is the inflammation of diverticula pouches in the large intestine. While diverticulitis is not always a serious condition, in some patients with severe infections surgery is required.
If you, or a loved one over 40, are experiencing abdominal pains, fevers, and nausea, it may be diverticulitis.
5. Kidney stones
Kidney stones develop when waste products like calcium form crystals in your kidney. Small stones can sometimes pass in your pee, but larger stones will need to be removed so that they don’t cause permanent damage to your kidney.
Kidney stones can also cause left-sided abdominal pain, but the type or ‘character’ of the pain tends to be different. People with kidney stones often experience severe, stabbing pain in the back or tummy, and it is not unusual for this pain to come and go in spasms.
6. Reproductive causes in men
The reproductive organs in men are within or very close to the lower left abdomen. Problems with these organs often cause referred pain to the lower left quadrant. In men, this may include a condition called testicular torsion. The freely mobile testes can rotate around themselves, obstructing blood flow. The lack of blood flow results in sudden, severe scrotal pain and swelling that often includes the left lower quadrant and other quadrants of the abdomen.
7. Ulcerative Colitis
An inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis is marked by persistent inflammation mostly in the large intestine, also called the colon. Inflammation usually causes chronic digestive issues such as diarrhea, rectal pain, and weight loss. Abdominal cramping is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis, causing sharp back and abdominal pain on one or both sides of the body.
8. Intestinal gas
When food is not digested properly, gas can build up in the intestines. This can cause feelings of discomfort and bloat in the abdominal region.
Symptoms will usually pass in a matter of hours, but persistence for several weeks could indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as lactose intolerance.
7 Home Remedies for an upset stomach and indigestion include:
1. Drinking water
The body needs water to digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages efficiently. Being dehydrated makes digestion more difficult and less effective, which increases the likelihood of an upset stomach.
- women should have around 2.7 liters (l), or 91 ounces (oz), of water a day
- men should have about 3.7 l, or 125 oz, of water a day
2. Drink Lemon Tea
Lemon is an excellent source of Vitamin C which is a powerful anti-oxidant that further helps in detoxifying your body and soothes many ailments. The acid present in lemon juice stimulates your stomach to produce more acid, which gives your digestion a boost and fight all the stomach troubles.
3. Bitters and soda
A bar is probably the last place you’d think to look for relief from nausea, but many people swear by five or six drops of cocktail bitters mixed into a cold glass of tonic, club soda, or ginger ale.
Most common bitters brands contain a blend of herbs such as cinnamon, fennel, mint, and ginger. These ingredients may be why bitters help ease nausea in some people.
4. Chamomile tea
A nice cup of chamomile tea can help ease the pain of an upset stomach by acting as an anti-inflammatory. These anti-inflammatory properties help your stomach muscles relax, which can reduce the pain of cramping and spasms.
5. Ginger
Ginger is a natural synthesis that reduces excess stomach acid, stimulate digestion and fight inflammation. It helps in minimizing the production of free radicals, maximizing digestive juices, and neutralizes stomach acids. It is one of the most effective natural remedies for stomach aches and nausea. You can chew the ginger roots or cut them and put them in tea.
6. Fennel
Fennels possess carminative, diuretic, pain-reducing, and antimicrobial properties which give you quick relief from the miserable stomach ache. Traditionally, it is used as food and medicine in Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Greek cultures for centuries. If you can find raw fennel at any health food store near you, to let that stomach pain go, slice off a piece and chewing on it.
7. Taking a warm bath or using a heating bag
Heat may relax tense muscles and ease indigestion, so taking a warm bath may help to ease the symptoms of an upset stomach. It could also be beneficial to apply a heated bag or pad to the stomach for 20 minutes or until it goes cool.
What are Symptoms of Abdominal Pain in Adults?
Abdominal pain is a symptom. It may mean that the person has a medical problem that needs treatment.
Abdominal pain may go along with other symptoms. Keep track of your symptoms because this will help the doctor find the cause of your pain. Make a special note if there is sudden abdominal pain, severe abdominal pain after eating, or abdominal pain with diarrhea.
What are the 4 different types of Stomach Pain?
Stomach pain is usually described based on the location within the stomach and abdomen. The types of stomach pain considering the location of your pain are as follows
1. Upper abdomen/belly pain
- Stomach acid irritates the esophagus lining (gastroesophageal reflux disorder [GERD])
- Stomach inflammation
- Inflammation of the bile sac
- Stomach ulcer
- Inflammation of the pancreas
2. Lower belly pain
Left-sided: Diverticulitis (inflammation of the abdominal pouches)
Right lower abdominal pain
- Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract)
- Inflammation of the appendix
3. Groin pain
- Period pain
- Abnormal fluid sac formation in the ovary
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation of the pelvic organs)
- Endometriosis (inflammation of the womb lining)
- Cystitis (inflammation of the urine pouch)
4. Front part of the belly
Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: A nerve supplying the belly becomes trapped in a tissue causing pain all over the belly.
What’s Causing Pain in My Lower Right Abdomen?
1. Appendicitis
If your appendix becomes inflamed, it causes appendicitis. This appendage is located where the small and large intestines meet, on the right side of the body, and therefore causes right side abdominal pain. It is important to know the signs of appendicitis because it can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Some potential symptoms of appendicitis are:
- Pain by your navel
- Sharp pain moving to your lower right abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
2. Stomach Ulcer
A stomach ulcer occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes damaged from acid and causes sores. This can also inflame the esophagus or small intestine. When the small intestine is involved, it is called a peptic ulcer and can cause right-side abdominal pain.
Other signs of a stomach ulcer may include:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Gas
3. Liver conditions
Any condition that causes your liver to become inflamed or swollen can cause dull, aching, or stabbing pain towards the right side of your abdomen.
This includes liver infections like hepatitis A or B, liver cancer, or an abscess. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease can also cause liver pain, but most types of liver disease don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages.
See a doctor if you think your liver may be causing the pain. Conditions like hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease can be treated, but it’s important to act fast because they can permanently scar your liver if left untreated.
4. Gas/indigestion
RLQ pain could simply be caused by gas or indigestion. If you’re experiencing indigestion (which may be accompanied by flatulence, heartburn, or other similar symptoms) there’s typically no reason for concern, unless it lasts more than two weeks.
Indigestion can also lead to gas and bloating, which is another cause for discomfort or RLQ pain but usually will pass in a matter of hours.
5. Hernia
According to Healthline, a hernia occurs when an internal organ or a part of the body pushes through muscle or tissue that holds it in place and protrudes from the body in an abnormal way. Many types of hernias happen in the abdomen, which is why RLQ pain might be related.
6. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that targets the large intestine — it shouldn’t be confused with IBD.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with RLQ pain, IBS could cause gas, bloating, cramps, diarrhea/constipation, or both. Doctors aren’t sure what causes IBS, according to the organization.
Right-Side Pain that Comes and Goes
While appendicitis pain tends to steadily increase, intermittent pain in the upper right abdomen can be a sign of many conditions including kidney stones or infection, liver problems, irritable bowel syndrome, female reproductive issues, or hernia. The discomfort can also be caused by gas, which can get trapped inside the intestines at any point and will resolve after a bowel movement.
6 Ayurvedic Home Remedies to cure stomach pain among kids:
1. Hing (Asafoetida) and ghee on the stomach
Take 1 tsp of Hing (asafoetida) and mix it with 1 tsp of ghee. Heat it till lukewarm. The formulation could be applied to the child’s stomach four to five times a day till he gets complete relief. This is particularly helpful in stomach aches.
2. Yoghurt
Yogurt is considered to be a very good pro-biotic. Rich in lactobacilli, yogurt protects the child from irritable bowel disease as well as inflammatory bowel disease. However, it is advisable to consume yogurt during the day than at night.
3. Ginger and Hing decoction
Take fresh ginger, Hing, and a dash of rock salt. Add it to water. Boil it and pour the contents into a bottle. Drink sip by sip.
4. Turmeric, cumin, and fennel seeds
The addition of turmeric, cumin, fennel seeds, coriander, and Hing to the diet, in general, could help in improving the overall digestive function.
5. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is a great remedy for stomach aches. It has anti-inflammatory properties which help to relieve abdominal discomfort. If the problem still persists after all these remedies and most importantly if your child loses appetite, then it is advised to visit a doctor.
6. Recipe for bloating
Toast 1 tsp fennel seeds and mix in 1 cup of boiled water. Add a few pieces of fresh ginger, a pinch of Hing, and a dash of rock salt to the boiled water. Sip this slowly after your meal.
Causes that only affect Women
Some causes of lower left abdominal pain only affect women. These conditions may be more serious or need medical attention. Pain can also develop on the right side of the abdomen in these cases.
Causes of abdominal pain in Children
There are many health problems that can cause stomach pain for children, including:
- Bowel (gut) problems – constipation, colic, or irritable bowel
- Infections – gastroenteritis, kidney or bladder infections, or infections in other parts of the body like the ear or chest
- Food-related problems – too much food, food poisoning, or food allergies
- Problems outside the abdomen – muscle strain or migraine
- Surgical problems – appendicitis, bowel obstruction, or intussusception (telescoping of part of the gut)
- Period pain – some girls can have pain before their periods start
- Poisoning – such as spider bites, eating soap, or smoking.
What can I give my child for stomach pain?
Stomach pain usually resolves itself after your child:
- Rests
- Has a bowel movement
- Passes gas
- Recovers from a stomach virus
There’s no specific treatment for an upset stomach, but you can help relieve your child’s symptoms. Trusted home remedies for stomach pain in kids include:
- Offering plenty of clear liquids to keep your child hydrated
- Offering ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain
- Using a heating pad to ease cramps and pain
- Offering a bland diet, like crackers and soups
- Giving your child stool softeners, like MiraLAX® to ease constipation (see other ways to
- prevent and treat constipation in kids)
- Mixing a probiotic in your child’s water, which may help stop diarrhea
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When to see a doctor
Seeing a doctor for abdominal pain becomes important whenever the pain is unexplainable or is accompanied by additional symptoms.
A doctor will need to examine chronic or persistent pain to rule out any serious underlying causes.
A doctor can diagnose the cause of the pain and develop a treatment plan that will address the underlying cause of lower left abdominal pain.