Causes of abdominal pain on the left | Pain in the left abdomen

Causes of abdominal pain on the left

Pain on the left side of the abdomen can be caused by various diseases. In most cases, these are completely harmless complaints that subside quickly without medical intervention. However, people who repeatedly suffer from pain in the left abdomen should consult a suitable specialist for clarification as soon as possible.

This also applies to particularly severe pain on the left side of the abdomen, which may radiate into the back or other parts of the abdominal cavity. Due to the anatomical conditions, pain that occurs in isolation on the left side of the abdomen often indicates a disease of the colon. The so-called “diverticulitis” is one of the most frequent causes for the development of pain on the left side of the abdomen.

For this reason, diverticulitis is colloquially called “left appendicitis” (left-sided appendicitis). Diverticulitis is a disease in which protrusions in the large or small intestine become inflamed. Simple intestinal protrusions (diverticula) are not pathological in themselves and do not cause any symptoms in the affected patients.

In about 90 to 95 percent of cases, such diverticula are found in the descending colon (i.e. on the left side of the lower abdomen). The S-shaped part of the colon (sigmoid colon) is particularly frequently affected. If inflammatory processes develop in the area of the intestinal diverticula, the patient will experience pain on the left side of the abdomen.

In addition, the pain is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as constipation, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, pain when urinating and/or fever. The reason for the occurrence of diverticulitis, which leads to pain on the left side of the abdomen, has not yet been conclusively clarified. However, it is assumed that this disease is mostly caused by a high-fiber diet, the increased consumption of raw meat and lack of physical activity.

These factors lead to a significant thickening of the stool, which increases the pressure inside the intestinal tube and thus causes protuberances of the mucous membrane to the outside. Due to this mechanism of origin, it can be assumed that there is an increased risk of diverticulitis, especially for people who frequently suffer from constipation.In addition, pain on the left side of the abdomen can be caused by other inflammatory changes in the colon. Especially in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, abdominal pain is often observed.

In addition, various impairments of the kidneys and the urinary tract are among the most common causes of pain on the left side of the abdomen. Especially stuck urinary or kidney stones can cause the corresponding symptoms. In addition, inflammatory processes in the area of the urinary tract, for example cystitis, can cause severe pain on the left side of the abdomen.

In the case of particularly severe pain on the left side of the abdomen, which radiates into the left flank, an inflammation of the left renal pelvis (so-called inflammation of the renal pelvis) should also be excluded sonographically. Inflammatory processes in the area of the kidney or the urinary tract are usually accompanied by other complaints. In addition to the pain on the left side of the abdomen, the affected patients typically suffer from a burning pain when urinating, increasing urge to urinate, difficulty in holding the urine, fever and chills.

Since women have a significantly shorter urethra than men, inflammatory processes of the urinary tract can be observed mainly in the female sex. Men, on the other hand, are affected much less frequently. In addition, gynecological diseases must be excluded in women who complain of pain in the left abdomen.

Various inflammations in the area of the female reproductive organs can possibly lead to pain on the left side of the abdomen. In addition, a large and/or burst cyst on the left ovary can cause a corresponding symptom. In addition, a so-called ectopic pregnancy should urgently be ruled out in case of severe pain.

This can lead to a rupture of the affected fallopian tube and a resulting large loss of blood. Slight pain on the left side of the abdomen, which occurs in a woman around the 12th to 14th day of the cycle, can, however, also simply be an indication of ovulation. In some women this can also lead to severe abdominal pain at ovulation.

Furthermore, many women report having suffered from slight, pulling or stabbing pain in the left or right side of the abdomen during the first weeks of pregnancy. The reason for this phenomenon could, for example, be the stretching of the so-called “mother’s ligaments”. In addition, a muscle weakness in the area of the pelvic floor can cause such pain. This can lead to a lowering of the pelvic floor. The pain can also be felt in the middle of the abdomen.