What could be causing pain in the left side of the abdomen?

Abdominal pain usually refers to pain in the belly. In general, left-sided abdominal pain may be caused by exercise-related pain, intestinal spasms, constipation, kidney stones, pancreatitis, and other conditions. Treatment under a doctor's guidance may include general management and medication. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Exercise-Related Abdominal Pain

Insufficient warm-up before exercise, excessive intensity, or exercising immediately after meals can reduce blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract and cause traction on the mesentery, leading to pain on the left side of the abdomen. When pain occurs, individuals should stop exercising immediately and rest appropriately.

2. Intestinal Spasms

Intestinal spasms occur when the smooth muscles of the intestines contract intensely due to stimulation such as cold exposure, spicy foods, or emotional fluctuations, resulting in pain on the left side of the abdomen. Applying heat to the abdomen in daily life may help relieve symptoms.

3. Constipation

Constipation may be triggered by an unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity, or decreased bowel function. This condition causes stool to remain in the intestine too long, where excess water is absorbed, making stools dry and hard to pass, thus causing the aforementioned symptoms. It may be accompanied by difficulty passing stool and hard feces. Treatment may involve medications such as lactulose oral solution, glycerin suppositories (Kaisailu), or polyethylene glycol 4000 powder, used under medical supervision.

4. Kidney Stones

Kidney stone formation is primarily associated with insufficient water intake and dietary habits. When certain substances in urine—such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid—become overly concentrated, they crystallize and gradually grow into stones that block the urinary tract, causing the symptoms described. This may be accompanied by vomiting and hematuria (blood in urine). Medications such as Shenshitong granules, Pashi granules, or tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules should be used according to medical advice.

5. Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is commonly triggered by bile duct diseases, excessive alcohol consumption, or overeating. When inflammation occurs in the pancreas, it may cause left-sided abdominal pain. Symptoms may include nausea and shock. Patients should follow medical instructions to use medications such as octreotide acetate injection, somatostatin for injection, or meperidine hydrochloride tablets.

In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in moderate physical activity, avoiding improper eating habits around intense exercise, and paying attention to bodily responses are important. Prompt adjustments to lifestyle habits can help prevent discomfort such as left-sided abdominal pain.