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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Could Be the Causes of Pain on the Left Side of My Abdomen?

Pain on the left side of your abdomen can be caused by a few things, such as problems with the colon like diverticular disease or sometimes even a rare case of left-sided appendicitis. It’s important to have a doctor check your symptoms to find the exact cause.

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Explanation

There are a few different reasons why you might feel pain on the left side of your belly. One common cause is diverticular disease, where small pouches called diverticula in the colon become inflamed, causing pain that is often moderate to severe and lasts a long time. Sometimes, even though the appendix is found on the right side in most people, there are rare cases of left-sided appendicitis that can cause pain on the left. In older people, other conditions related to the bowel, such as constipation or changes in the gut, might also be involved. Pain in this area might also be accompanied by changes in how your bowel works or discomfort during daily activities. Since many conditions can cause pain in the left side of the abdomen, it is best to keep track of your symptoms and talk with a doctor. They can perform tests like imaging studies to understand what is happening and decide on the best treatment to help you feel better.

(References)

  • Akbulut S, Ulku A, Senol A, Tas M, Yagmur Y. Left-sided appendicitis: review of 95 published cases and a case report. World J Gastroenterol. 2010 Nov 28;16(44):5598-602. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i44.5598. PMID: 21105193; PMCID: PMC2992678.

  • Tursi A, Elisei W, Picchio M, Giorgetti GM, Brandimarte G. Moderate to severe and prolonged left lower-abdominal pain is the best symptom characterizing symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon: a comparison with fecal calprotectin in clinical setting. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 Mar;49(3):218-21. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000094. PMID: 24583746.

  • Sim SS, Sun JT, Huang SY. Elderly Man With Left-Sided Abdominal Pain. J Acute Med. 2020 Dec 1;10(4):165-166. doi: 10.6705/j.jacme.202012_10(4).0007. PMID: 33489742; PMCID: PMC7814206.

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