Pain Locator: Where Does It Hurt
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Abdominal pain can have a wide range of causes. Understanding the nine regions and four quadrants of your abdomen can help pinpoint possible origins and identify associated ailments. Here’s a helpful guide.
Abdominal pain could be indicative of many ailments, ranging from gas and constipation to gallstones or pancreatitis. Understanding the type of pain you’re experiencing, where it’s originating from, and the severity of your ailment, could help you get the correct treatment before symptoms worsen.
It’s important to become acquainted with the nine regions of the abdomen, so you can better understand how your digestive organs function and are susceptible to a variety of medical issues.
Specific Stomach Pains That Require Further Treatment
We have all had our share of nasty stomach pains after overeating, eating undercooked food, or eating something that has spoiled. We recognize and suffer the consequences, and maybe we pop a couple of antacid pills and move on.; At other times our stomach pain can be a more serious situation, like these 10 specific stomach pains that require further treatment.
Left Side Of The Abdomen
Upper left:
This part of the abdomen contains a portion of the body of your stomach, the tail of the pancreas, and your spleen.
The spleen is an organ that filters blood and supports the immune system.
Center left and center middle:
The transverse colon and the small intestine make up the center left and center middle of the abdomen. The small intestine is where most food digestion occurs.
The transverse colon is the upper part of the large intestine, where unabsorbed food is carried after going through the ascending colon. The small intestine is the organ that takes up most of the abdomen.
Lower left:
The descending and sigmoid colon portions are the part of the digestive system that stores unabsorbed food remains and waste before they leave your body.
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Constipation Ibs And Gastroenteritis
Pain on the left-hand side of your tummy can be a sign that theres something wrong with your digestive system.
Aching or cramping can be linked to constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or gastroenteritis, where the lining of your stomach or small intestine is irritated or becomes inflamed.
Short-term digestive issues like constipation or gastroenteritis can be treated from home, but its important to monitor your symptoms and visit a doctor if the pain doesnt settle.
IBS, constipation and gastroenteritis can also cause pain in the right side of your abdomen.
Waist Pain On The Left Side
There are numerous factors which can lead to waist pain. The left side of the body is usually more prone to this kind of pain. Some of them are ovarian cyst, gastritis, urinary tract infection, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. To learn about them, and some more, keep reading.
There are numerous factors which can lead to waist pain. The left side of the body is usually more prone to this kind of pain. Some of them are ovarian cyst, gastritis, urinary tract infection, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. To learn about them, and some more, keep reading.
Wondering what causes waist pain? Left side waist pain is usually a common phenomenon. You can better understand the answer to this question if you know what organs and structures are located in this particular region of the body.
In the left lower side of your body, you would find lower end of the left kidney, left ureter, part of the descending large bowel, sigmoid colon, a part of the urinary bladder, left ovary and tube and the large blood vessels and nerves.
In addition to all the given body structures, muscles and skin are also present on the lower abdomen on the left side of your body. Any medical condition affecting these structures can potentially cause pain in the left side of the waist. Sometimes, pain due to a particular disorder on the right side of the abdomen, radiates to the left side. In such a condition, the diagnosis of the left side abdominal pain becomes a little tough.
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Common Causes Of Left
The common causes for pains on the left side of the abdominal area are kidney stones, a kidney infection and diverticulitis.
The common symptoms for kidney stones and an infection are:
- pain in the left and/or right abdomen area, the back or the genitals
- fever, shivers and chills
- loss of appetite
- feeling sick
If a kidney stone is too large to pass on its own, then a hospital admission becomes necessary. The avoidance of kidney stones should be discussed with a doctor.
Diverticulitis is an infection that can occur following diverticular disease that affects the large intestine. People with this disease rarely have symptoms until an infection is present. The symptoms caused by the infection are:
- constant, severe abdominal pain
Whats Causing Pain In The Left Side Of My Abdomen
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Left-side abdominal pain is an ache or discomfort thats felt towards the left-hand side of your tummy.
Its a common problem, but can be difficult to diagnose as there are several important organs in this area, including the spleen, stomach and left kidney, and a range of digestive issues could also be to blame.
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Organs On The Left Side Of The Abdomen
On the left side of your abdomen you can find some of the most important internal organs in your body:
Left lung The lower part of your left lung is located behind your heart and both of your lungs play a vital function in the respiratory system.
Spleen, pancreas, and part of the liver Although your liver is located under the right rib cage, part of it is located on the left side just under your heart. Below your heart under the left part of your rib cage are your liver, spleen, and pancreas. These organs, along with your liver, are an important part of your digestive system and help to break down food to extract nutrients and filter out waste products.
Left kidney Your left kidney is located towards your back and, just like the liver, helps to filter blood and keep you healthy.
Part of the stomach, intestines, and colon Part of your stomach, intestines, and colon are also located on the left side of your abdomen. The last part of your colon is located in the lower left side of the abdomen. If you have any digestive problems, the digestive-related pain might be felt on the left side.
Womens reproductive system Women also have part of their reproductive system on the left side of their body: part of the womb, left fallopian tube and the left ovary.
Organs on the Left Side of the Abdomen
Causes Of Abdominal Pain And Diarrhea
Most people occasionally experience abdominal pain and diarrhea for short periods. Dietary changes, consuming too much alcohol, and indigestion may cause these symptoms.
Frequent, constant, or severe abdominal pain and diarrhea may indicate a disease or a more serious medical issue. Diarrhea that gets progressively worse and is bloody can be also be a sign of a more serious issue. Possible causes of abdominal pain and diarrhea include:
Diarrhea and abdominal pain that last for more than a week or that frequently reoccur may be a sign of an intestinal disease or disorder. You should talk to your doctor if youve experienced these symptoms for more than a week or on a reoccurring basis.
The above conditions and disorders can cause swelling of various parts of the digestive tract, such as the stomach and intestines. Inflammation of the digestive system can cause cramps and disrupt normal digestive processes. This usually results in abdominal pain and diarrhea.ADVERTISING
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Vague Upper Abdomen Pain
If you are an older adult, and this vague pain is accompanied with nausea, belching, and burping, it may actually be signs of a heart attack. If the symptoms also include vomiting and pain in the jaw and back with shortness of breath, call Digestive Health Services immediately or go to the nearest ER.
What Is Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is also referred to as stomachache or stomach pain and can be of varying intensity. It occurs between the chest and the pelvis and it can be felt either as sharp localized pain or as dull intermittent pain depending on the causes. There are cases of pain abdomen radiating to other parts of the body like the shoulders, scrotal region and the back in particular cases.
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What Causes Abdominal Swelling
Your abdomen could be swollen for different reasons. These range from eating too much to pregnancy. Only your doctor will be able to determine the exact cause of your swollen abdomen.
A common cause of abdominal swelling is gas. Swallowing air as part of a nervous habit or from eating foods that are high in fiber can lead to gas production. If you dont release this gas, it can lead to abdominal swelling.
Trapped Inguinal Or Femoral Hernia
- A left inguinal or femoral hernia happens when a piece of bowel or other tissue from inside the tummy pushes through a weakness in the muscles of the tummy wall near the left groin.
- It can happen on either side.
- If whatever has pushed through gets stuck and can’t slide back inside the tummy, it is trapped .
- If it happens on the left-hand side, there will be a tender swelling in the left groin.
- It causes pain in the groin and in the tummy, usually on the side of the hernia but it may cause pain over the whole tummy.
- It is common to be sick .
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What Home Remedies Soothe Abdominal Pain In Adults
Abdominal pain without fever, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, passing out, chest pain, or other serious symptoms often get better without special treatment.
- If the pain persists or if a person believes the pain may represent a serious problem, they should see a doctor.
- A heating pad or soaking in a tub of warm water may ease the pain.
- Over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums, Maalox, or Pepto-Bismol, also can reduce some types of abdominal pain. Activated charcoal capsules also may help.
- Acetaminophen may help. This product should be avoided if liver disease is suspected. Patients should try to avoid aspirin or ibuprofen stomach or intestinal ulcer disease is suspected; these drugs can make the pain worse.
Torsion Of The Testicle
- Torsion of the testicle causes severe pain in the scrotum and severe lower quadrant pain, usually on one side.
- It most commonly affects teenage boys but young adult men can be affected.
- It is unusual over the age of 25 years but can affect any man at any age.
- The testicle is very tender.
- You should seek urgent medical advice.
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Treatments For Upper Left Side Abdominal Pain In Children
Most abdominal pain in children resolves itself, but there are some steps to take to ease the pain and keep your child healthy:
- If your child has an appetite and feels like eating, offer them bland foods like rice or toast. Dont force them to eat anything.
- Keep your child hydrated. Dehydration can occur if your child is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.;
- Give them time on the toilet. This may encourage them to have a bowel movement, which can ease the pain.
- Make sure they get plenty of rest.
- With a doctors help, avoid medicine. This can make an upset stomach worse.
If the abdominal pain does not subside, this could signify a more serious problem. Check for the following symptoms during home treatment:
- Pain gets worse, spreads, or becomes localized.
- Newer symptoms develop and the pain continues.
- The abdomen becomes hard or swollen.
How Is The Cause Of The Abdominal Pain Diagnosed
Physical Examination
Physical examination will include a careful examination of the patient’s abdomen, heart, and lungs in order to pinpoint the source of the pain.
- The doctor will touch different parts of the abdomen to check for tenderness or other signs that indicate the source of the pain.
- The doctor may do a rectal exam to check for small amounts of blood in the stool or other problems, such as a mass or internal hemorrhoids.
- If the patient is a man, the doctor may check the penis and testicles.
- If the patient is a woman, the doctor may do a pelvic exam to check for problems in the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
- The doctor also may look at the patient’s eyes for yellow discoloration and in the mouth to be sure the patient is not dehydrated.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests may or may not help to determine the cause of the abdominal pain. Combined with the information gained from the questions the patient was asked and the physical examination performed by the doctor, certain blood or urine tests may be ordered and could assist in determining the diagnosis.
Radiology Tests
Radiology studies of the patient’s abdomen can be useful, but are not always necessary or helpful.
- Occasionally, an X-ray will show air outside of the bowel, meaning that something has ruptured or perforated.
- An X-ray also can help diagnose bowel obstruction.
- Sometimes X-rays can show a kidney stone.
Ultrasound is a painless procedure useful in finding some causes of abdominal pain.
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Could I Have A Swollen Or Damaged Spleen
Occasionally, left-sided abdominal pain can be a sign that something is wrong with your spleen.
The spleen is a small, fist-sized organ located just underneath your stomach. It helps to filter your blood and create new blood cells.
Your spleen may hurt if its damaged or ruptured in an accident, or it can become swollen and painful as a result of a condition like leukemia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Other signs that your spleen has become swollen or damaged include:
- pain or tenderness behind your left ribs
- dizziness and rapid heart rate
- feeling full very quickly after eating
- frequent infections
- fatigue
If you think that your spleen may be damaged or swollen, you should go to your nearest hospital immediately. They may organise scans and tests to find the cause, and may be able to prescribe medication to treat the underlying cause.
Read more about how to tell if your stomach pain is serious.
Track Your Cycle And Try At Certain Times Of The Month
For most women, discomfort caused by endometriosis is constant. But the pain becomes even more excruciating during your period and sometimes during ovulation, as in Brooks case. When you keep track of your cycle, you can also keep track of any symptoms related to endometriosis. This will help give you a better understanding of what time of the month influences potential pain the most, and when youre more likely to be pain-free.
There are free mobile apps you can download, such as Clue or Flo Period Tracker, to log your cycle. Or you could keep track of your period by creating your own menstruation calendar. The Center for Young Womens Health also has a My Pain and Symptom Tracker sheet that you can print out to map out any pain or discomfort you feel.
No matter the method, make sure to also rate the pain you feel so you can track what times of the month the pain is worse.
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What Kind Of Doctor Treats Abdominal Pain In Adults
Abdominal pain can be treated by a variety of doctors depending on the cause of the pain. It is usually best to start off with a primary care physician who can start the process of diagnosing the origin of the pain. Depending on the final diagnosis you will be treated by a primary care doctor or referred to a surgeon , gastroenterologist, or gynecologist. If the pain is severe you might end up in the emergency department where an emergency medicine physician will be the first one to take care of you.
How To Treat Pain In Lower Left Side Of Stomach And Back
Low back pain can generally be attributed to our lifestyle over-lifting, sedentary habits, inappropriate posture, an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise, to name a few!
Lifestyle modifications along with the suitable amount of rest and medications not only help to reduce back pain but they also help in preventing diseases in the long-run. Some ways to treat pain in lower left side of stomach and back by you are
- Hot Fomentation ;Using a hot water bag or a heated cloth causes vasodilatation. This relieves the pain temporarily. Hot fomentation also relieves muscular aches and sprains. Hot application is also useful to relieve menstrual cramps.
- Cold Fomentation ;Using ice packs. Ice packs are effective in reducing pain where the cause is inflammation.
- Mint ;Either chewing mint or peppermint leaves or having peppermint tea is known to reduce nausea as well as stomach pain.
- Ginger ;Having ginger tea or chewing ginger is beneficial for stomach aches because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Lemon ;Lemon is rich in vitamin C which has boosts immunity and speeds up the healing process in any illness. Lemon, ginger and honey in warm water are also known to cleanse the lymphatic system and get rid of infective micro-organisms.
- Apple Cider Vinegar ;A glassful of warm water with two spoonful of ACV and some honey work wonders for maintaining the overall health of an individual. ACV has anti-bacterial properties and is acidic in nature.
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