Left-sided burning in the stomach

Small protrusions of the intestinal wall are called diverticula (diverticulosis). They develop with increasing age and are promoted by lack of exercise, low-fibre nutrition and overweight. In cases of suddenly occurring left-sided abdominal pain, which manifests itself in the form of burning, fever, severe flatulence or slimy-bloody diarrhoea, an inflammation of the small bulges, called diverticulitis, may be hidden behind it.

As the pain is localised in the vast majority of cases in the left lower abdomen, this is also known as “left-sided appendicitis“. As in “real” appendicitis, the burning sensation is aggravated when pressure is exerted on affected parts of the intestine. Very mild forms can be treated by short-term, strict abstinence from food.

Interestingly, in the case of diverticulitis, you should not reach for a hot-water bottle, but rather for an ice pack. This is because cooling the lower abdomen (“ice bubble”) can significantly alleviate the burning in the left abdomen. To prevent the spread of inflammation to the surrounding peritoneum, antibiotic therapy for diverticulitis should not be avoided in all other cases.

Advanced diverticulitis may even have to be treated surgically with removal of the affected intestinal sections. If adults have bowel movements more than three times a day, if the amount of bowel movements is significantly increased or if they are liquid, this is medically referred to as diarrhoea. The unpleasant symptom is often associated with other complaints such as nausea or burning in the abdomen.

The most common cause of the complaints is gastroenteritis, better known as “gastroenteritis” or “gastro-enteritis”. This is often accompanied by general malaise, headaches, aching limbs or fever. The causes can be divided into infectious (bacteria, viruses, parasites) and non-infectious (including food intolerances, food poisoning) diseases.

The pathogens are often transmitted by contaminated meals, such as unwashed vegetables or salmonella in egg products. However, inadequate hygiene can also transmit the pathogens from person to person, for example via smear infections. In most cases, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort, such as burning in the abdomen, are self-limiting: after a few days, the symptoms disappear on their own without the need for causal therapy, such as antibiotics.

However, if you suffer from diarrhoea and nausea, perhaps even vomiting, you should pay particular attention to a balanced fluid and mineral balance. Drink water or tea and, if possible, salty, dry food (rusks, salt sticks, etc.). The pharmacy also sells so-called “electrolyte powder” which, dissolved in water, supplies the body with all the necessary minerals.

Heat applications (hot water bottle, grain pillows etc.) or antispasmodic medication are suitable for relieving burning in the abdomen. On the other hand, the use of antidiarrhoeal agents should be used with caution and should not be considered as a permanent solution. Otherwise, under certain circumstances, the disease-causing, harmful germs or substances can remain in our body and not be eliminated.