Left-side abdominal pain is a common problem but can be difficult to diagnose as there are several important organs in this area, including the spleen, stomach and left kidney. A range of digestive issues could also be to blame. Show
What digestive conditions could be causing the pain?Constipation, IBS and GastroenteritisLeft side of stomach pain can be a sign that there’s something wrong with your digestive system. Aching or cramping can be linked to , (IBS) or , where the lining of your stomach or small intestine is irritated or becomes inflamed.Short-term digestive issues like constipation or gastroenteritis can be treated from home, but it’s important to monitor your symptoms and visit a doctor if the pain doesn’t settle. IBS, constipation and gastroenteritis can also cause .DiverticulitisIf the pouches in the wall of your small and large intestine get infected, this can cause a condition known as , which causes constant abdominal pain on left side in a lower area, as well as high fever, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting or blood in your stools.Intermittent, crampy pain towards the left of your tummy can also be a symptom of diverticulosis. You may also notice that your pain seems to flare up while you’re eating, or just after you’ve finished a meal. The condition is fairly common in western countries - affecting approximately 50% of people over the age of 50 - and may be linked to a lack of dietary fibre. It’s usually harmless and some people don't experience any symptoms, but some people with diverticulosis feel a constant, dull ache towards the lower left side of the stomach. If you think that you might have a chronic condition like diverticulosis, see a doctor. Treatment can vary depending on the severity of your symptoms, but a diet that’s rich in high-fibre foods like wholemeal bread, beans and brown rice may help. Could the pain be a sign of kidney conditions?Kidney infectionLeft side stomach pain can be a sign that your left kidney is infected. Kidney infections normally develop when a bacterial infection travels from your bladder to your kidneys and this can cause dull, aching pain towards the left of your abdomen. Other symptoms include pain in your lower back or groin, nausea, and a fever. You may also notice some blood in your pee. If you have lasting abdominal pain and a fever, see a doctor. Most kidney infections can be treated with antibiotics, but can cause permanent damage to your kidneys if left untreated. Kidney stonesKidney 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 a severe, stabbing pain in the back or tummy, and it is not unusual for this pain to come and go in spasms. If you have a kidney stone, you may also find that you feel sweaty and sick, or notice that there’s some blood in your pee. If you think you might have kidney stones, see a doctor. While you wait for medical help, drink plenty of hydrating fluids and take a painkiller if necessary to manage the pain. Could I have a swollen or damaged spleen?Occasionally, pain in left side of abdomen can be a sign that something is wrong with your spleen. The spleen is a small, fist-sized organ located just underneath your stomach. It helps to filter your blood and create new blood cells. Your spleen may hurt if it’s damaged or ruptured in an accident, or it can become swollen and painful as a result of a condition like leukemia or .Other signs that your spleen has become swollen or damaged include:
If you think that your spleen may be damaged or swollen, you should go to your nearest hospital immediately. They may organise scans and tests to find the cause, and may be able to prescribe medication to treat the underlying cause. Read more about .When to see a doctorIf you think the pain on the left side of your abdomen could be caused by any of the conditions above, you should see a doctor. Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the digestive tract that causes recurring abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhea.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common among the general population. Some but not all studies suggest women with IBS are more likely to consult a doctor. IBS is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in disorders of the digestive tract) and is a common reason why many people visit their primary care physician. IBS is a disorder of the movement of the intestines, the sensitivity of the nerves of the intestines, or the way in which the brain controls some of these functions. However, although the normal functioning is impaired, there are no structural abnormalities that can be found with an endoscope (a flexible viewing tube), imaging studies, biopsies, or blood tests. Thus, IBS is identified by the characteristics of the symptoms and, when done, normal results of tests. Causes of IBSThe cause of IBS is not clear. In many people with IBS, the digestive tract is especially sensitive to stimuli. People may experience discomfort caused by intestinal gas or contractions that other people do not find distressing. Although the changes in bowel movements that occur with IBS might seem to be related to abnormal intestinal contractions, not all people with IBS have abnormal contractions, and in many of those who do, the abnormal contractions do not always coincide with symptoms. In some people, symptoms of IBS begin after an episode of gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis . For some people, high-calorie meals or a high-fat diet may be a trigger. For other people, wheat, dairy products, beans, chocolate, coffee, tea, some artificial sweeteners, certain vegetables (such as asparagus or broccoli), or stone fruits (such as apricots) seem to aggravate the symptoms. These foods contain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine. The carbohydrates become fermented by bacteria in the intestine, which causes gas, bloating, and cramping. Because many food products contain several ingredients, it may be difficult to identify the specific trigger. Other people find that eating too quickly or eating after too long a period without food stimulates a flare-up (a bout or attack). However, the relationship is inconsistent. Emotional factors (for example, stress, anxiety, depression, and fear), drugs (including laxatives), or hormones may trigger or worsen a flare-up of IBS. People do not always get symptoms after a usual trigger, and symptoms often appear without any obvious trigger. It is not clear how all the triggers relate to the cause of IBS. Symptoms of IBSIBS tends to begin in adolescence and the 20s, causing bouts of symptoms that come and go at irregular periods. The start of IBS symptoms in late adult life is less common but not rare. Flare-ups almost always occur when a person is awake, and they rarely wake a person from sleep. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include abdominal pain Acute Abdominal Pain Abdominal pain is common and often minor. Severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly, however, almost always indicates a significant problem. The pain may be the only sign of the need for surgery... read more related to or relieved by having a bowel movement (defecation). The abdominal pain is associated with a change in stool frequency (such as constipation Constipation in Adults Constipation is difficult or infrequent bowel movements, hard stool, or a feeling that the rectum is not totally empty after a bowel movement (incomplete evacuation). (See also Constipation... read more or diarrhea Diarrhea in Adults Diarrhea is an increase in the volume, wateriness, or frequency of bowel movements. (See also Diarrhea in Children.) The frequency of bowel movements alone is not the defining feature of diarrhea... read more ) or consistency (loose or lumpy and hard). The pain may come in bouts of continuous dull aching or cramps, usually over the lower abdomen. Symptoms of IBS can also include abdominal expansion (distention), mucus in the stool, and the sensation of incomplete emptying after defecation. Bloating, gas Gas Gas is normally present in the digestive system and may be expelled through the mouth (belching) or through the anus (flatus). There are three main gas-related complaints: Excessive belching... read more , nausea Nausea and Vomiting in Adults Nausea is an unpleasant feeling of needing to vomit. People also may feel dizziness, vague discomfort in the abdomen, and an unwillingness to eat. Vomiting is a forceful contraction of the stomach... read more , headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, muscle aches, problems with sleep, and difficulty concentrating are other possible symptoms. Diagnosis of IBS
Most people with IBS appear healthy. Doctors base the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome on the characteristics of the person's symptoms. Doctors also use standardized symptom-based criteria for diagnosing IBS called the Rome criteria. They may also do tests to diagnose common illnesses that can cause similar symptoms, particularly when people are over 45 or have warning signs such as weight loss, rectal bleeding, or older age. Doctors use the Rome criteria to diagnose IBS in people who have had abdominal pain for at least 1 day a week in the last 3 months along with 2 or more of the following:
A physical examination generally does not reveal anything unusual except sometimes tenderness over the large intestine. Doctors do a digital rectal examination, in which a gloved finger is inserted in the person's rectum. Women also may undergo a pelvic examination Gynecologic Examination For gynecologic care, a woman should choose a health care practitioner with whom she can comfortably discuss sensitive topics, such as sex, birth control, pregnancy, and problems related to... read more . Doctors usually do some tests, for example, blood tests, to differentiate IBS from Crohn disease Crohn Disease Crohn disease is an inflammatory bowel disease where chronic inflammation typically involves the lower part of the small intestine, the large intestine, or both and may affect any part of the... read more Doctors may do other tests, such as ultrasonography Ultrasound Scanning (Ultrasonography) of the Abdomen Ultrasound scanning uses sound waves to produce pictures of internal organs ( see also Ultrasonography). An ultrasound scan can show the size and shape of many organs, such as the liver and... read more Other digestive tract disorders (such as appendicitis Appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation and infection of the appendix. Often a blockage inside the appendix causes the appendix to become inflamed and infected. Abdominal pain, nausea, and fever are common... read more , gallbladder disease Overview of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disorders The liver produces bile, a greenish yellow, thick, sticky fluid. Bile aids digestion by making cholesterol, fats, and fat-soluble vitamins easier to absorb from the intestine. Bile also helps... read more Because IBS symptoms can be triggered by stress and emotional conflicts, doctors ask questions to help identify stress, anxiety, or mood disorders. Doctors also ask questions to rule out laxative abuse. Treatment of IBS
Treatment of IBS differs from person to person. If particular foods or types of stress appear to bring on the problem, they should be avoided if possible. For most people, especially those who tend to be constipated, regular physical activity helps keep the digestive tract functioning normally. Diet(For more information about diet and IBS, see these recommendations from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Disease.) Many people do better eating frequent, smaller meals rather than less frequent, larger meals (for example, 5 or 6 small meals rather than 3 large meals a day). People should try to slow their pace while eating. People with bloating and increased gas (flatulence) should avoid beans, cabbage, and other foods that are difficult to digest. Some people find relief from IBS symptoms by restricting their intake of foods that are high in certain carbohydrates Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the main types of macronutrients in food (nutrients that are required daily in large quantities). They supply 90% of the dry weight of the diet and 100%... read more called fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These foods are collectively called FODMAPs. FODMAPs are carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed and rapidly fermented by bacteria in the small intestine, leading to increased gas and discomfort. Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener used in some foods, drugs, and chewing gums, should not be consumed in large amounts. Fructose, a sugar found in fruits, berries, and some plants, should be eaten only in small amounts. People who have IBS and who cannot digest the sugar lactose (called lactose intolerance Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar lactose because of a lack of the digestive enzyme lactase, leading to diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Lactose intolerance is caused... read more ), which is found in milk and other dairy products, should consume dairy products only in moderation. People can try reducing their intake of the foods mentioned above one at a time and noting whether their symptoms change, or they can try a low-FODMAP diet, which restricts all of these foods. A low-fat diet helps some people, particularly those whose stomach empties too slowly or too quickly. Constipation can often be relieved by eating more fiber and drinking more water. People with constipation can take psyllium mucilloid supplements with two glasses of water. Increasing the dietary fiber may aggravate flatulence and bloating. Occasionally, such flatulence may be reduced by switching to a synthetic fiber preparation (such as methylcellulose). DrugsCertain laxatives are reasonably safe and often effective for people with constipation. Such laxatives include those containing polyethylene glycol and stimulant laxatives, such as those containing bisacodyl or glycerin. The prescription laxative drugs lubiprostone, linaclotide, plecanatide, and tenapanor may also relieve constipation. Prucalopride is another drug that may help people who have chronic constipation. Anticholinergic drugs, such as hyoscyamine, can sometimes relieve abdominal pain by blocking spasms of the intestinal muscles. However, these drugs often cause anticholinergic side effects ( see Anticholinergic: What Does It Mean? Anticholinergic: What Does It Mean? Antidiarrheal drugs, such as diphenoxylate or loperamide, help people with diarrhea. Eluxadoline is another drug that may be given to some people who have severe diarrhea caused by IBS. The antibiotic rifaximin may be prescribed to relieve symptoms of diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Alosetron is occasionally used for diarrhea in older women for whom other drugs are ineffective, but alosetron has been associated with increasing the risk of ischemic colitis, so its use is restricted in the United States. Certain antidepressants help relieve symptoms of abdominal pain as well as diarrhea and bloating in many people. Long-term use of certain antidepressants such as nortriptyline or desipramine is often helpful. Antidepressants may not only relieve pain and other symptoms but also may help relieve sleep problems and depression or anxiety. Probiotics, which are bacteria naturally found in the body that promote the growth of good bacteria, may be given. Aromatic oils, such as peppermint oil, often help relieve pain caused by cramps in some people. Other treatmentsBehavior modification techniques (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), psychotherapy Psychotherapy Extraordinary advances have been made in the treatment of mental illness. As a result, many mental health disorders can now be treated nearly as successfully as physical disorders. Most treatment... read more , and hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a type of mind-body medicine. In hypnotherapy (hypnosis), people are guided into an advanced state of relaxation and heightened attention. Hypnotized people become absorbed in... read more (hypnosis) may help some people who have IBS. More InformationThe following are some English-language resources that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
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Stomach gurgling and pain in left side with diarrhea
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