What Could Cause Left Side Abdominal Pain with Diarrhea?

When you feel pain on the left side of your belly along with diarrhea, it might be a sign that your colon is irritated or inflamed. You should see your dovtor about these symptoms when combined. One common cause is diverticulitis. In this condition, small pouches in your colon (called diverticula) become swollen or infected, leading to pain and sometimes diarrhea. Another possibility is epiploic appendagitis. This happens when the small fat-filled sacs (epiploic appendages) that stick out from the colon become inflamed, which can also cause sharp pain on the left side. Additionally, infections such as giardiasis—caused by a tiny parasite often found in contaminated water—can trigger diarrhea and stomach pain, and may recur if not treated properly. Because different issues may cause similar symptoms, your doctor may ask about how long you’ve been feeling unwell and check for other signs like fever or a change in bowel habits. They might perform tests like blood tests, stool tests, or imaging studies to find out which condition is responsible and decide on the best treatment plan.