Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS Show
— Written By Healthgrades Editorial Staff Updated on November 2, 2020 What is left lower quadrant pain?Pain in the lower left side of the abdomen is called left lower quadrant pain. It is often related to the digestive tract, but can also be related to conditions of the body wall, skin, blood vessels, urinary tract, or reproductive organs. The area may be tender to the touch or the pain may be severe and the whole abdomen might be rigid. Severe pain can be a symptom of inflammation of the bowel or bowel obstruction, particularly if constipation is present. Severe pain in women may result from twisting of an ovary (ovarian torsion), rupture of an ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Men may experience severe left lower quadrant pain from testicular torsion or injury. Crampy pain may be due to gas, indigestion, inflammation or infection, or it may result from menstrual cramps, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Severe pain that comes in waves may be caused by kidney stones. Trauma to the body wall, hernias, and shingles can also cause left lower quadrant pain. A hernia is a weakening of muscle or tissue that allows organs or other tissues to protrude through it. Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus involving a painful, blistering rash that usually occurs on only one side of the body. Pain that is sudden in onset, severe, persistent, recurring, or worsening, or that is accompanied by other serious symptoms is typically the most worrisome. Left lower quadrant pain can be associated with serious medical conditions. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you stop having bowel movements, have bloody stools, are vomiting blood, have severe pain or a rigid abdomen, have been injured, had a sudden onset of sharp pain, have cancer, or might be pregnant and have abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. If your left lower quadrant pain is persistent or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care, particularly if it is worsening instead of improving. If you have bladder symptoms, fever, decreased appetite, or unintended weight loss, you should also seek prompt medical care. What other symptoms might occur with left lower quadrant pain?Left lower quadrant pain may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Typically, the symptoms are related to the digestive tract, but they may also involve other body systems. Digestive symptoms that may occur along with left lower quadrant painLeft lower quadrant pain may accompany other symptoms affecting the digestive tract including:
Other symptoms that may occur along with left lower quadrant painLeft lower quadrant pain may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including:
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening conditionIn some cases, left lower quadrant pain may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:
What causes left lower quadrant pain?Often, left lower quadrant pain is related to conditions of the digestive tract; however, it can also be related to conditions of the body wall, skin, blood vessels, urinary tract, or reproductive organs. Digestive tract causes of left lower quadrant painLeft lower quadrant pain may be caused by conditions of the digestive tract including:
Other causes of left lower quadrant painLeft lower quadrant pain can also be caused by conditions involving other body systems including:
Serious or life-threatening causes of left lower quadrant painIn some cases, left lower quadrant pain may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:
Questions for diagnosing the cause of left lower quadrant painTo diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your left lower quadrant pain including:
What are the potential complications of left lower quadrant pain?Because left lower quadrant pain can be due to a serious disease, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:
How do you know if lower left abdominal pain is serious?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 causes pain in your lower left side abdomen?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.
When should I worry about lower left side pain?Causes of pain in the lower left abdomen can be benign, such as gas pain, or they may be a sign of a chronic condition. People experiencing persistent or chronic pain in the lower abdomen should seek medical attention. Sudden onset of severe pain in the lower left abdomen may require immediate medical care.
How do I relieve pain in my lower left abdomen?Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:. Place a hot water bottle or heated wheat bag on your abdomen.. Soak in a warm bath. ... . Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water.. Reduce your intake of coffee, tea and alcohol as these can make the pain worse.. |