What can cause pain in the left lower quadrant?
Left lower quadrant Pain that is specifically in your lower left abdomen is most often related to diverticulosis and diverticulitis of the colon. Diverticula (small outpouchings in the bowel wall) can occur throughout your colon, but they usually develop in the lower left part.
What does pain in lower quadrant mean?
It can be a symptom of minor or major digestive system conditions such as gas, indigestion, constipation, colitis, diverticular disease, or appendicitis. Gynecologic conditions such as menstrual cramps or pregnancy may also be causes, as can kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
What lies in the lower left abdomen?
The organs located in your left abdomen include your colon, left kidney, spleen, stomach, and pancreas. If you're not struggling with gas or indigestion, pain on this side is typically a sign that something is off in one of these organs or organ systems.
When should I worry about lower left abdominal pain?
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.
What organ is above your left hip?
Since the upper part of the pelvic bone lies within the abdominal area, any organs in this region can be possible causes of pain on left side above hip. Some of the organs include the descending and sigmoid colon, the left ureter, as well as the left ovary and fallopian tube in females.
What is the most common reason for lower abdominal pain?
The most common causes — such as gas pains, indigestion or a pulled muscle — usually aren't serious. Other conditions may require urgent medical attention. While the location and pattern of abdominal pain can provide important clues, its time course is particularly useful when determining its cause.
What organ makes your left side hurt?
Causes of left rib pain On the left side, this includes your heart, left lung, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and left kidney. When any of these organs are infected, inflamed, or injured, pain can radiate under and around your left rib cage.
What is on a woman's left lower abdomen?
Left Lower Quadrant Organs found in this quadrant include the sigmoid colon, and the left ovary and Fallopian tube in women. Pain in this quadrant may be symptomatic of colitis, diverticulitis, or kidney stones. Ovarian cysts (in women) or pelvic inflammation may also be at the root of pain in this quadrant.
Why do I have stabbing pain on my left side?
Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower left side of the back may be an indication of an internal organ problem such as a kidney infection, kidney stone, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, or uterine disorders (e.g., fibroids, endometriosis).
What does pancreatic pain feel like?
Moderate to severe upper abdominal pain that may spread to your back. Pain that comes on suddenly or builds up over a few days. Pain that worsens when eating. Swollen, tender abdomen.
What cause lower abdominal pain in females?
Other causes of lower abdominal pain include ovarian cysts, fibroids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pelvic congestion syndrome, urinary tract infections, appendicitis and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
What organs are in the lower quadrant?
Organs found in the right lower quadrant include the appendix, the upper portion of the colon, and the right ovary and the Fallopian tube in women. The right lower quadrant may be assessed when diagnosing appendicitis, in which case, this quadrant would be tender and painful.
What to do if there is pain in lower abdomen?
Treatment for abdominal pain in adults Fluids – you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel. Medicines – for example, you may be given something to stop you vomiting. Fasting – your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything until the cause of your pain is known.
Where is my left lower quadrant?
The left lower quadrant (LLQ) is a section of your tummy (abdomen). Look down at your tummy (abdomen) and mentally divide the area from the bottom of your ribs down to your pubic hair into four quarters. The quarter on your left side below your belly button (umbilicus) is your LLQ.
What are the problems that only women get that can cause left lower quadrant pain?
Pain at the time that you release an egg (ovulation), which is usually about halfway between two periods.
What are the other possible causes?
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is very different. These conditions cause the lining of the gut to become inflamed. Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood mixed in) is usually the main symptom.
What else could it be?
These lists of possible causes for LLQ are by no means exhaustive and there are many other conditions that can cause pain in the LLQ. Problems in your spine or back could be 'referred'. Referred pain in this situation means that it is coming from your back but you are feeling it around the front. Muscular pulls and sprains can also affect you in the tummy area. If this is the case, moving the particular muscle would make the pain worse, whereas if you were to lie completely still, it wouldn't hurt.
Should I see a doctor?
Yes, if you have a pain which doesn't settle, you will probably need to consult a health professional to help you figure out the cause. Consult a doctor urgently if you:
What are the usual tests for left lower quadrant pain?
For example, if they find the typical rash of shingles, you will need no further tests to find the cause. The doctor will certainly need to feel your tummy (abdomen) in the area you have the pain, but may also need to examine other parts too, such as the rest of your tummy. Your doctor may also need to examine your bottom (rectal examination).
What is the outlook?
Others can be cured with surgery, such as torsion of the testis. Some are long-term conditions, for which there is no cure, although there are treatments, such as those used for people who have Crohn's disease. Your doctor should be able to give you an idea of the outlook (prognosis) once a diagnosis has become clear.
What is the right iliac region?
The right iliac region contains the appendix, cecum, and the right iliac fossa. It is also commonly referred to as the right inguinal region. Pain in this area is generally associated with appendicitis.
What is the left upper quadrant?
The left upper quadrant is the location of the left portion of the liver, part of the stomach, the pancreas, left kidney, spleen, portions of the transverse and descending colon, and parts of the small intestine. Pain in this region is associated with malrotation of the intestine and colon.
How to stop bloating when eating?
Eat meals slowly: This will allow your body to fully digest foods and prevent you from swallowing air, which can cause bloating and pain.
What is the right lower quadrant of the body?
In the right lower quadrant sits the cecum, appendix, part of the small intestines, the right half of the female reproductive system, and the right ureter. Pain in this region is most commonly associated with appendicitis.
How many areas are there in the abdominal cavity?
Abdominopelvic cavity can be subdivided into four quadrants and nine areas.
Why does my left side hurt?
Major Causes of Pain in Left Abdomen: 1. Bowel or Colon Cancer: This is caused by the multiplication of cancer cells in the colon. Symptoms include constipation with the inability to pass stool, rectal bleeding, and are very pain.
What is the focal point of pain?
the person thinks that the pain is in this area but the truth is, the focal point is actually from somewhere else. You can say that it is the abdominal area that hurts by thinking of an imaginary line that crosses the navel. The pain may be slightly above or below this line but has to be close to the imaginary line.
What are Abdominal Quadrants?
The abdomen defines a region of the body located between the thorax (or chest) and the pelvis. It is separated from the thorax at the diaphragm and the pelvis at the beginning of the pelvic bones. This region is also referred to as the belly.
How to divide the abdomen into four regions?
In this system, the abdomen is divided into four regions by drawing a vertical line (dividing on the median or midsagittal plane) and a horizontal line (dividing on the transverse or transumbilical plane) that perpendicularly intersects at the umbilicus (or navel). The median (or midsagittal) plane can be visualized by drawing a vertical line from the center of the forehead to in between the two feet, this line should divide the body into two halves that are relatively equal and symmetrical. The transverse or transumbilical plane, on the other hand, divides the body into an upper half and lower half, by drawing an imaginary line that runs perpendicular to the spine, and intersects with the median plane at the navel.
How are the abdominal quadrants divided?
The four abdominal quadrants are divided along the median and transverse planes, by drawing a vertical and horizontal line that perpendicularly intersect at the navel.
What is the right lower quadrant?
The Right Lower Quadrant is the third of the abdominal quadrants. The list of organs found in the RLQ includes:
What are the organs in the abdomen?
These include the digestive organs, kidneys, and spleen. By taking a closer look at each of the four abdominal quadrants, one can learn about the different organs found in each one.
How many regions does the abdomen have?
There are two major systems by which the abdomen can be divided into smaller areas. One system involves dividing the abdomen into four regions along a vertical and horizontal axis centered at the umbilicus (navel). These four regions are known as abdominal quadrants.
What is the abdomen?
The abdomen is the region of the body between the thorax and the pelvis. It contains various important organs, such as the digestive organs, kidneys, and spleen. Because the abdomen contains so many vital organs, it is divided into abdominal quadrants for ease of study, clinical examination, and communication. An alternate system divides the abdomen into nine regions. The four quadrants are divided along the median and transverse planes by drawing a vertical and horizontal line that perpendicularly intersects at the navel. The four quadrants are:
Why does my left side hurt?
There are several possible causes of lower left abdomen pain. Some causes are more common and benign, while others can be serious and require medical attention. 1. Diverticulitis. Lower left abdomen pain can have many causes. Diverticulitis is one of the most common causes of lower left abdominal pain.
How to treat constipation and gas?
Treatment for constipation and gas often includes basic dietary adjustments and, in severe cases, the use of laxatives. For more chronic lower abdominal pain, such as the pain in IBS or Crohn’s, more careful, long-term dietary management can help to manage symptoms.
What causes pain in the digestive tract?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions that can cause painful inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract.
What is the condition where you cannot digest gluten?
Celiac disease is a chronic condition that occurs in the digestive tract when a person cannot digest gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and is present in several foods and healthcare products.
Why does my lower abdomen hurt?
Lower abdominal pain due to an infection, such as diverticulitis, will often only require antibiotics and resting as treatment.
Why is yogurt difficult to digest?
This is because the person lacks sufficient amounts of an enzyme called lactase.
Where does diverticulitis occur?
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula (small pouches) in the intestinal wall become infected and inflamed. Diverticula form in weak areas of the large intestine, which is often referred to as the colon. Diverticula are present in many adults. Trusted Source.
