Left Lower Quadrant Pain-Suspected DiverticulitisThe most common cause of left lower abdominal pain in adults is diverticulitis , an inflammation of outpouchings that can develop in the colon. It is usually appropriate to get a CT with intravenous (IV) contrast of the lower abdomen and pelvis to confirm the diagnosis. Other imaging tests that may be appropriate include CT without IV contrast, ultrasound of the abdomen, and MRI of the abdomen. Unless complications are suspected, barium enema, abdominal X-ray, and ultrasound of the pelvis are usually not appropriate as the first imaging test. Show
Some possible complications of diverticulitis are blockage of the colon (obstruction), a hole in the colon (perforation), an abscess (an infected fluid collection in the abdomen), or a fistula (an abnormal connection from the colon to other structures). If the health care team suspects complications, CT with IV contrast is usually the most appropriate imaging test. For people with suspected complications, CT without IV contrast, CT with bladder contrast, barium enema, or cystography (x-ray images with bladder contrast) may also be appropriate. Some individuals may not need a CT if their health care team has determined that the symptoms are typical of diverticulitis without complications or if the person has a history of diverticulitis and is having a recurrence. These individuals may be treated without any imaging. For more information, see the Diverticulitis page. — By Susan Anemone, Nina S. Vincoff, MD. This information originally appeared in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. This page was reviewed on December, 15, 2021 Sponsored ByPlease noteRadiologyInfo.org is not a medical facility. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician. To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database. This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Discuss the fees associated with your prescribed procedure with your doctor, the medical facility staff and/or your insurance provider to get a better understanding of the possible charges you will incur. Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR), comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas. Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo.org provides links to relevant websites. RadiologyInfo.org, RSNA and ACR are not responsible for the content contained on the web pages found at these links. The lower left abdominal region is a complex structure that contains several organs connected elaborately. The abdominal cavity contains the body’s vital organs. Any damage, infection or injury to these versatile organs in the abdomen can lead to abdominal pain. Organs in AbdomenThe abdomen is the section between the chest and pelvis. Organs in the abdomen are tightly arranged. It consists of the liver, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. Organs in Left AbdomenIn the lower-left part of the abdomen, you can find the left kidney, left ureter, colon, bladder, blood vessels, and nerves. In women, you’ll find the left fallopian tube and ovary. The complex arrangement makes it prone to inflammation, obstruction, or injury. Pain in the lower left abdomen is commonly no cause for concern, but one shouldn’t ignore it. Some signs of pain in the lower left abdomen maybe not be very strong and gentle, such as gas pain or constipation. It can also be more serious, as in the case of an infection, diverticulitis, endometriosis etc. To understand the cause of abdominal pain for better treatment, it is necessary to determine what kind of pain you’re suffering. Type of pains can help in determining the possible cause. Moderate pain can be from common causes like gas, constipation, menstruation pains etc. Similarly, severe pain can be from infections, kidney stones or any underlying diseases which needs urgent medical care. In rare events, pain on the left side of the abdomen can also be a sign of a heart attack. Although, there are accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain that spreads to the stomach, nausea, tingling in the arms etc. Left Lower Quadrant PainThe lower left side of the abdomen is the last part of your colon, and for women, the left ovaries. Minor discomfort in this region is usually nothing to worry about. It will heal and make you feel comfortable on its own. Left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain is abdominal pain that is principally in the lower half on the left-hand side. It is also known as left iliac fossa (LIF) pain, although this means pain in a smaller space in the lower-left edge of your stomach. If you have anxiety associated with an accident or injury, go to local emergency services right away. Likewise, attempt urgent medical attention if you feel pressure or pain in your chest. Rush to urgent care or an emergency room if you have:
Pain in Lower Left Abdomen CausesCauses of pain in the lower left part of the abdomen may vary, as some might be a simple pain, while others can be serious, as in the case of an infection. Without further ado, here are the eight most common causes of pain in the lower left abdomen. 1. ConstipationThe first and most common cause of left abdominal pain is constipation. Constipation occurs when a person finds it hard to pass a stool or have less than regular bowel movements. When stool moves slowly through the GIT or cannot be eliminated from the rectum, it causes pain in the colon located in the lower-left abdomen. The common causes of constipation are dehydration, poor diet, and lack of exercise. 2. Kidney StonesThe presence of calcium buildup in the kidney causes kidney stones. We all have two kidneys located at the left and right sides of the abdomen. But when there is a calcium buildup in the left kidney (kidney stones), it can cause pain in the lower left part of the abdomen. A person may not realize they have a kidney stone until it causes serious issues, such as seeing blood in the urine or having pains while urinating. 3. Intestinal ObstructionIntestinal obstruction is a condition whereby food substances cannot travel through the digestive tract when taken into the body. This blockage can pose a severe threat as it might result in frequent pains while urinating, defecating in the lower-left part of the abdomen; Nausea and Vomiting are other effects. Intestinal blockages are more common in older people and are usually caused by other illnesses like diverticulitis or colon cancer. 4. GasIs it possible to swallow air? Yes. When a person swallows air while eating or during natural digestion processes, gas is frequently caught in the digestive tract. This is possible if you overeat, chew gum, and also smoke often. Gas in the abdomen is usually not a problem and will pass through either the rectum or the esophagus, but it can cause discomfort when it becomes stuck in the digestive tract. Gas can be caused by:
Gas regularly isn’t dangerous. But consult a doctor if you have the following symptoms:
What you can do to relieve gas
Natural remedies to relive gas
5. Lactose IntoleranceLactose intolerance is simply the condition whereby people have problems digesting milk and dairy-based products like cheese and yoghurt. This is caused by the deficiency of a digestive enzyme – lactase. Lactase is a digestive enzyme that helps in the coagulation and breakdown of lactose milk. When this occurs, it results in abdominal pain accompanied by belching, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. 6. IndigestionIndigestion occurs when acid accumulates after eating. The acid can be accumulated by overeating, eating too quickly, excessive consumption of spicy and fatty foods, and in other cases, can be caused by medications. Abdominal pain, burning sensation, discomfort, heartburn, bloating, or gas are signs of indigestion. Indigestion Symptoms include:
Consult with the doctor if signs of indigestion worsen. What to do to relieve indigestion
7. Irritable Bowel SyndromeIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a persistent gastrointestinal disease that can only be diagnosed when other possible reasons for a person’s symptoms have been ruled out. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome hasn’t been understood completely, but a diagnosis is often made by ruling out the possible signs of bowel syndrome. Symptoms of IBS included intestinal disorder causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. 8. DiverticulitisDiverticulitis develops when the intestinal wall’s diverticula become infected and inflamed. It develops in vulnerable sections of the large intestine, known as the colon, and is mainly found in adults. The number of diverticula grows as a person gets older. Due to this, older people are more likely to suffer from diverticulitis, while younger people can also get it. The symptoms of diverticulitis are:
What you can do?If you feel that you have diverticulitis consult the doctor immediately. The doctor will suggest antibiotics to treat and keep you on a liquid diet. 9. HerniaA hernia is the outcome of an internal organ or extra body part pushing through the flesh or tissue surrounding it. A lump or bulge may grow with some hernias. Other symptoms may include:
10. ShinglesPeople who have chickenpox can suffer from shingles later in their lifetime. This is caused because of the varicella-zoster virus which remains in your body. The shingles infection can produce a painful rash that looks like a line of blisters wrapping around one side of your body. Whereas few people are affected with pain but no rash. Shingles symptoms include:
11. Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is a chronic condition that happens in the digestive tract when a person cannot digest gluten. Gluten is a protein that exists in wheat and is available in several foods and healthcare products. When a person has celiac disease, their immune system affects the intestine, creating a variety of digestive problems and vitamin insufficiencies. Symptoms of celiac disease may include:
Children with undiagnosed celiac disease may also suffer from malnourishment and growth impediments as a result of the condition. Pain in lower left abdomen FemaleSome conditions of lower left abdominal pain only concern women. Some conditions can be serious or need medical attention. While some conditions are common. 12. Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)Cramps normally occur before and during your menstrual period. Although the pain can vary from moderate to serious. But it will fade away with time. Menstrual cramps aren’t usually dangerous. Speak with your doctor if:
13. EndometriosisSimilar tissue which typically stuffs in the lining of your uterus also develops outside the uterus causing abdominal pain. Some other symptoms are:
14. Ovarian cystAn ovarian cyst is a sac filled with fluid inside or on the outside of an ovary. Most cysts don’t exhibit symptoms and go away without treatment in a few months. A massive cyst can create discomfort. It may also touch on your bladder and make you urinate frequently. A cyst that breaks can cause serious problems, such as severe pain or internal bleeding. Seek medical help if you’re feeling:
15. Ovarian torsionMassive ovarian cysts make the ovary shift position in the body. This increases the danger of ovarian torsion, severe twisting of the ovary that can rip off the blood supply. Ovarian torsion happens with pregnancy or the treatment of hormones to improve ovulation. Seek a medical emergency if you feel an abrupt, severe pain in your abdomen with vomiting. 16. Ectopic pregnancyIn an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg embeds itself before it enters the uterus. This normally occurs inside the fallopian tubes attaching the ovary to the uterus. Symptoms can include:
17. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)PID is a disease of the female reproductive system. It’s usually caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but other kinds of infections can also lead to PID. Some of the symptoms include:
Causes of pain in left abdominal pain in men18. Inguinal herniaAn inguinal hernia is the result of fat or a part of the small intestine forcing through a vulnerable area in the lower abdomen. This can occur in women but are more common in men. Some signs are:
19. Testicular torsionTesticular torsion happens when a testicle rotates, twisting the spermatic cord that carries blood to the scrotum. The decreased blood flow prompts sudden and usually hard discomfort and swelling. Testicular torsion can occur at any age. Testicular torsion needs emergency surgery. Some symptoms include:
Should I go to the ER for lower left abdominal pain?Seek immediate medical care and visit urgent care or an emergency room if you feel pressure or pain in your chest. Also if have the following symptoms:
Final ThoughtsAbdominal pain might be due to several reasons, but the most common reasons are the causes mentioned above. If you notice persistent pains, you should visit a doctor or physician to get a better diagnosis and treatment. What is the most common cause of left lower quadrant pain?Acute sigmoid diverticulitis, a complication of colonic diverticulosis, is the most common cause of acute left lower-quadrant pain in adults.
How do you know if lower left abdominal pain is serious?See your doctor or get medical help right away if you're experiencing: sudden, severe abdominal pain. pain with fever or vomiting. signs of shock, such as cold and clammy skin, rapid breathing, lightheadedness, or weakness.
Should I be concerned about lower left abdominal pain?Causes of pain in the lower left abdomen can be benign, such as gas pain, or they may be a sign of a chronic condition. People experiencing persistent or chronic pain in the lower abdomen should seek medical attention. Sudden onset of severe pain in the lower left abdomen may require immediate medical care.
What does pain in left lower quadrant mean?Often, left lower quadrant pain is related to conditions of the digestive tract; however, it can also be related to conditions of the body wall, skin, blood vessels, urinary tract, or reproductive organs.
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What would cause left lower quadrant abdominal pain
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