What Causes Pain In The Lower Left Abdomen?

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, and affected individuals have extensive inflammation in different parts of their gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation that occurs in Crohn's disease is so severe that it can penetrate deep into the patient's bowels. The area of the digestive tract most commonly affected by such inflammation is the ileum or last segment of the small intestine. The ileum is located on the lower left side of an individual's abdomen, just above their appendix.

Symptoms that occur in Crohn's disease patients include diarrhea, fatigue, bloody stools, poor appetite, anal pain, anal drainage, fever, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, mouth sores, and weight loss. Crohn's disease alone can cause significant pain in the lower left abdomen, and several complications that can occur due to this condition are also known to produce pain in this region.

Gas

Gas is produced by the digestive system as it breaks down food, and gas is also produced as a result of swallowing air. The body expels gas through burping and flatulence. On average, most people pass gas at least twenty times per day. Beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, fruit, and soft drinks are most likely to produce gas when consumed, and excessive gas is a leading cause of pain in the lower left abdomen. To reduce pain associated with gas, patients may wish to take an over-the-counter medication such as simethicone.

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should check with their doctor before using this medicine. Some individuals prefer to take probiotics or digestive enzymes for gas relief. If gas causes persistent pain, patients should see a doctor for an evaluation. It can be beneficial to keep a food diary to share with the doctor, as this information may help with determining the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms.