Left Side Abdominal Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Worry

Quick Summary: Left side abdominal pain can be caused by simple issues like gas or indigestion, or by more serious conditions such as diverticulitis, kidney stones, or an enlarged spleen. Since there are many vital organs in the abdomen, knowing whether the pain is in the upper or lower part helps find the cause.

What is Left Side Abdominal Pain?

What is left side abdominal pain exactly? Clinically, it refers to any discomfort felt in the area to the left of the midline, between the chest and the groin. The left side of your abdomen contains the tail of the pancreas, the left kidney, the spleen, part of the stomach, and the descending colon.

Because the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems are all located in this area, only a doctor can usually find out exactly where the pain is coming from by doing a physical exam.

The "Red Alert": When to Seek Emergency Care

Before looking into other causes, we must address the emergency signs. Stop reading and call 911 or go to the ER if your pain comes with any of these:

• Blood in your stool or vomit.

• A high fever (over 101°F).

• Uncontrollable nausea or the inability to keep down fluids.

• Signs of shock (rapid heart rate, dizziness, or confusion).

What Causes Left Side Abdominal Pain?

When patients visit our offices in DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, or South Daytona, we first determine if the pain is in the upper or lower quadrant.

Common Causes of Upper Left Abdominal Pain

• Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly): This can cause a dull pain below your left rib cage.

• Gastritis or Stomach Ulcers: A burning sensation that can get worse after you eat.

• Pancreatitis: Intense pain that often spreads to the back.

• Kidney Stones: Sudden, sharp pain that can move toward your side or groin.

Common Causes of Lower Left Side Abdominal Pain

• Diverticulitis: This is the main cause of ongoing lower left pain, especially in people over 40. It happens when small pouches in the colon become inflamed.

• IBD (Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis): Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract that leads to cramps and changes in bathroom habits.

• Ovarian Cysts or Endometriosis: For women, pain in the lower left side is often linked to the reproductive system.

• Inguinal Hernia: A lump in the groin area that causes discomfort during physical activity.

Comparison: Gas Pain vs. Something Serious

Symptom	Likely Gas / Indigestion	Likely Emergency / Serious
Pain Level	Crampy, comes and goes	Sharp, constant, or worsening
Fever	No fever	High fever or chills
Abdominal Wall	Soft to the touch	Rigid, hard, or extremely tender
Movement	Walking may help	Movement makes it worse

Diagnosing Abdominal Pain in Volusia County

If your pain is persistent but not an emergency, our Internal Medicine specialists use a systematic approach to find the answer:

1. Clinical History: We ask about your diet, lifestyle, and when the pain started.

2. Lab Work: Blood tests to check for infection or markers of inflammation.

3. Imaging: We may order an ultrasound or a CT scan to get a clear view of your organs.

How is Left Side Abdominal Pain Treated?

Treatment for discomfort on your left side is never "one size fits all" because the treatment must match the underlying cause. At Volusia Medical Center, we categorize treatment into three main approaches:

1. Lifestyle & Dietary Adjustments: If your pain is caused by gas, indigestion, or mild acid reflux, we might suggest changing your diet (like the Low FODMAP diet) or eating more fiber to support the descending colon.

2. Medication Management:

• Antibiotics: Important for treating infections such as diverticulitis or kidney infections.

• Antispasmodics: These help calm the muscles in the gut for people with IBS.

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): These lower stomach acid to help with gastritis or ulcers.

3. Interventional Procedures: If you have a serious problem, such as large kidney stones or certain types of hernia, our team will arrange for you to get specialized care or a simple procedure that uses small tools.

Can Pain in Your Left Side Be Prevented?

While you cannot prevent every cause, you can greatly reduce your risk for the most common culprits of lower left side abdominal pain through proactive wellness:

1. Hydration is Key: Drinking enough water prevents constipation and is the single best way to reduce your risk of developing painful kidney stones.

2. High-Fiber Diet: Eating plenty of vegetables and whole grains helps your colon work well, which can prevent diverticulosis from turning into inflamed diverticulitis.

3. Regular Screenings: Routine Primary Care checkups allow us to catch issues like high inflammation markers early.

4. Listen to Your Body: Stay away from foods that make you feel bloated or give you heartburn, and keep a healthy weight to lower the risk of getting a hernia.

When to See a Doctor in Volusia County

Your abdomen contains vital organs, so it’s not always safe to just wait and see if things get better. You should come to our DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, or South Daytona offices if:

• The pain is persistent: If you have discomfort that lasts more than 48 hours and doesn't get better.

• Change in habits: You notice big changes in how often you go to the bathroom or use the toilet.

• Localized tenderness: The pain is focused in one area, and it hurts a lot when you touch it.

• Recurrent episodes: You feel fine for a few days, but the pain keeps coming back in the same spot.

Stomach pain can affect your daily life, sleep, and how you feel overall. At Volusia Medical Center, we focus on giving you fast and accurate answers, so you can feel confident moving forward. Book an appointment with our team today. You can visit us in DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, or South Daytona. We are here to give you the expert care you need. Contact us to start feeling better.

Conclusion

Left-sided abdominal pain can have many causes and needs to be diagnosed correctly. Whether it is a temporary digestive issue or a chronic condition like diverticulitis, knowing what causes pain on the left side of your abdomen is important for getting better. At Volusia Medical Center, we prioritize quick and accurate diagnostics to help our community stay healthy and comfortable.

FAQs

1. Can constipation cause lower left side abdominal pain?

• Yes. The descending colon is located on the lower left side of the abdomen. If stool builds up there, it can cause pressure and cramps in that spot.

2. How do I know if my left side pain is my kidney?

• Kidney-related pain usually feels deeper inside your body and is found on the side between your ribs and hip. The pain often spreads down toward your groin.

3. Is left-sided abdominal pain a sign of a heart attack?

• It's uncommon, but pain in the very upper abdomen can sometimes be "referred pain" from the heart. Usually, this kind of pain also comes with chest tightness and shortness of breath.

4. What is the fastest way to relieve mild abdominal pain?

• If your pain is caused by gas, moving around or using a heating pad can help. However, avoid taking pain relievers like Ibuprofen until you know the cause, as they can irritate stomach ulcers.

5. Why does my left side hurt more after I eat?

• This is often a sign of gastritis, an ulcer, or a problem with your gallbladder. It could also mean you don't tolerate certain foods well.