How serious is lower left abdominal pain?Pain in the lower left abdomen is when you feel pain on the left-hand side of the bottom half of your abdomen (tummy). Sometimes, people may refer to it as pain in their lower left stomach, but your stomach is actually higher up in your abdomen. Show
You may feel a cramping, dull, sharp or stabbing pain in your lower left abdomen that may be constant or go away and then return. And sometimes, it may start in another part of your body like your testicles and then move upwards. Or you may feel it in your lower left abdomen and in your back at the same time. Pain in your lower left abdomen is medically known as left lower quadrant pain or left iliac fossa pain (which is, more accurately, a smaller area of pain that you may feel very low down on the left of your tummy near your hip bone). Common causes of pain in your lower left abdomen include gut problems like constipation or – these may go away without any treatment or with self-care. But more serious causes like or need a doctor’s advice. And other very serious causes like an or testicular torsion will need emergency medical care. Causes of pain in your lower left abdomenGut problemsYour gut is made up of your stomach, small and large intestines and your rectum, where your poo is stored. If you have a problem with any of these organs, it can cause lower left abdominal pain. This includes less serious issues like mild infections, trapped wind and constipation and more serious problems like cancer. Sometimes, these conditions will cause pain all over your abdomen and at other times, you’ll feel the pain just on one side. They include:
Kidney problemsIf you have kidney problems, you may feel pain on just one side of your lower abdomen, either the left or the right. But, as your kidneys are behind your bowels, you’ll usually feel the pain on one side of your lower back. Kidney problems include:
Muscular problemsYour tummy muscles stretch over your abdomen from your chest to your hips. A muscle problem can cause pain in your lower left and right abdomen, including:
Female-specific causes of pain in your lower left abdomenYour pelvis contains your reproductive organs – these include your womb (uterus), ovaries (which store and release eggs) and fallopian tubes. Sometimes, if you have pain in your left lower or right abdomen, these organs may be causing the pain. These causes include:
Being pregnant can also be a cause of pain in your left lower abdomen. It’s a normal part of pregnancy, but if your tummy pain is really bad, see a doctor immediately. Constipation and trapped wind are usually the cause of tummy pain in pregnancy, but other common causes include:
Male-specific causes of pain in your lower left abdomenIf you have a condition that affects your testicles (testes), you may feel pain in your left lower abdomen. These include:
When to see a doctor about pain in your lower left abdomenSee a doctor as soon as possible (within 24 hours if you can) if you have lower left abdominal pain and:
You should also see a doctor as soon as you can if you have left lower abdominal pain and:
But, go to an emergency department immediately or call an ambulance if you have left lower abdominal pain and:
What’s the treatment for pain in your lower left abdomen?The treatment you’ll need depends on what’s causing the pain in your lower left abdomen. If you’re really not sure what’s causing your pain, see a doctor. Sometimes, the pain will go away by itself or if not, you can try treating it at home. For example, if you’re having bad period pain, you can take simple – but talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice on how to get and take painkillers safely. Read more about . can get better with changes to your diet, like including or avoiding certain foods. But some people may need medication like to help. This will depend on the cause of your constipation, including whether it’s related to an underlying condition. Read more about and . You can usually manage tummy bugs with self-care, including getting lots of rest and fluids. Read more about and . Some other infections may get better with self-care too like a UTI, which may sometimes improve if you drink a lot of fluids and take simple painkillers. But if a UTI isn’t getting better, the pain’s really bad or you've got a fever too, then it’s best to see a doctor, as you’ll probably need . Read more about and . If you get a more serious infection like a kidney infection or diverticulitis, you’ll need to see a doctor as you’ll need antibiotics – and sometimes, you may have to go to hospital for treatment. Read more about and . Other conditions may need surgery such as ovarian or testicular torsion. Surgery may also be part of the treatment for illnesses like IBD. Or you may need to have longer-term treatment, like immunosuppressant medicines for IBD and medication for endometriosis. Read more about the and . If you have bowel cancer, you may need surgery and often other treatments too, like or . Read more about the . How long does it take for pain in your lower left abdomen to get better?How long you’ll have the pain and what will happen afterwards depends on why you’ve got the pain. Some conditions will usually get better quickly with no lasting effects, including constipation, gastroenteritis or a kidney infection. If you have a condition like IBS or IBD, the pain in your lower left abdomen may come and go in what’s known as flare-ups. Or you may have these pain flare-ups at certain times in your menstrual cycle with period pain, ovulation pain or endometriosis. You may also need to take long-term medication for IBD or endometriosis to prevent being in pain the whole time. Your health questions answered
Key takeaways
Why does my left lower abdomen hurt when I run?The most common theory is that the increased blood flow in the liver and spleen during intense cardio movement causes the pain on the sides of the abdomen. Another theory suggests that pain is caused by internal organs while pulling down the diaphragm.
Why is my side hurting on the left side when I run?When running, there is increased abdominal pressure pushing up on the diaphragm. At the same time, rapid breathing can cause the lungs to press down on the diaphragm, a muscle that if “pinched” from above and below, gets less blood flow and spasms, resulting in painful side stitches.
Why does my lower abdomen hurt when I run?Cramps, nausea, and stitches in your abdomen during running can be the result of improper hydration. Hydration before and during a long run is important, but figuring it out can be tricky. Drinking too much water could make cramps and digestive irritation worse.
How do I stop my left side from hurting when I run?How to prevent a side stitch or cramp while running. Avoid eating one to two hours before running.. Keep pre-workout meals small.. Avoid fatty and high-fiber foods before your run.. Practice a proper breathing technique through pursed lips.. Consider leg therapy.. Avoid sugary beverages before a run.. |