What causes pain in the lower left abdomen?
Sep 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Left lower abdominal pain may be caused by indigestion, ovulation pain, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, colitis, or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. In daily life, maintain healthy dietary and lifestyle habits, avoid excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise; pay attention to personal hygiene to prevent infections; and undergo regular physical examinations to help prevent symptoms of left lower abdominal pain.
Generally, left lower abdominal pain may be caused by indigestion, ovulation pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, kidney stones, or other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Indigestion
After overeating or consuming hard-to-digest foods, indigestion may occur. Food remaining in the gastrointestinal tract for too long typically produces excessive gas, leading to left lower abdominal pain. It is important to adjust eating habits by avoiding overeating and choosing easily digestible foods.
2. Ovulation Pain
Women may experience mild one-sided abdominal pain during ovulation. When the ovary releases an egg, slight bleeding or irritation of the peritoneum may occur, causing pain in the left lower abdomen. This may also be accompanied by mild discomfort or a feeling of abdominal tightness. Usually, no special treatment is required; symptoms can be relieved through rest and heat application, which helps improve blood circulation.
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS may result from abnormal gastrointestinal motility, intestinal dysbiosis, or intestinal infections. The gut may be sensitive to certain foods or stress, leading to abnormal intestinal movements and causing left lower abdominal pain. Other symptoms may include bloating and increased flatulence. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications such as pinaverium bromide tablets, Bifidobacterium quadruple live bacterial tablets, or trimebutine maleate tablets.
4. Colitis
Colitis may be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, as well as environmental factors. Inflammation can stimulate intestinal nerves, cause intestinal spasms, and lead to edema and thickening of the intestinal wall, resulting in pain in the left colon area. Symptoms may also include diarrhea and mucus-pus bloody stools. Under medical guidance, patients may use mesalazine enteric-coated tablets, sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, or Bushen Yichang pills for treatment.
5. Kidney Stones
Insufficient water intake may lead to concentrated urine, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation. When kidney stones move into the ureter, pain may radiate downward to the abdomen. Symptoms may also include frequent urination, urgency, and hematuria. It is recommended to undergo extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) under medical supervision, where externally generated shock waves are focused on the stone to break it apart. After the procedure, drinking plenty of water and engaging in physical activity can help expel the stone fragments.
Maintaining healthy dietary and lifestyle habits is essential—avoid excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise; pay attention to personal hygiene to prevent infections; and undergo regular health checkups to help prevent episodes of left lower abdominal pain.
