Left Abdominal Pain Causes

What Disorders Cause Pain In The Left Abdomen?

Left abdominal pain causes include a range of possibilities. When an individual first feels low left abdominal pain, he or she might first wonder if it's appendicitis. However, the appendix is on the right side, although during an attack, the pain may also feel like it's happening everywhere in the lower abdominal region.

There are many organs, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels and tissues in the left abdomen, so diagnosing the causes of left abdomen pain can be difficult.

Nonetheless, there are some typical "suspects," and your doctor will try to go down his or her list of symptoms to narrow the possibilities. The list below is not all inclusive. There are some diseases and conditions that cause sharp left abdomen pain that are extremely rare, and they're not mentioned here.

Muscle pulls, tears and strains are possibly the most common cause of unexpected abdominal pain. You can usually tell when it happens, but an exact diagnosis is best left to a medical professional.

Hernia is a one of the frequent causes of left abdomen pain. A hernia occurs when a part of the body protrudes abnormally through a tear or opening in an adjacent part. Hernias in the abdominal area are relatively common.

Disorders of the colon and intestines can cause left abdomen pain. Unfortunately, this area of the body is subject to many different diseases and conditions. Some are relatively minor, such as constipation and diarrhea. Others are not life threatening, but can trigger a lot of abdominal pain. These would include IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Crohn's disease, celiac disease, diverticulitis and diverticulosis, and ulcerative colitis.

Another of course, is colon cancer.

Kidneys and bladder conditions can cause upper left abdomen pain. Kidney infections, inflammation, and cysts can be uncomfortable. A kidney stone can trigger extreme discomfort. Bladder stones and bladder infections often cause burning pain during urination.

The pancreas may be involved. Abdominal pain may also be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.

The reproductive organs may cause left abdominal pain in women. There is, of course, menstrual pain. But there are a number of other conditions that cause left abdominal pain in women, including:

• twisted or ruptured ovarian cyst.
• polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS
• miscarriage
• ectopic pregnancy
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs can cause left abdomen pain.

Spleen rupture sometimes results from auto accidents or from a blow to the abdominal area. Furthermore, left abdomen pain could a symptom of enlarged spleen.

There are many liver disorders and conditions that can cause abdominal pain. But since the largest portion of the liver rests on the right side, the pain is more often felt there. However, the left lobe of the liver extends well into the left side of the abdominal area, so left side abdominal pain from a liver problem may be possible.