Colitis in the lower left abdomen

Pain is different, there are more than twenty epithets for describing pain. It is they who help the doctor determine the nature of the pain that the patient is experiencing. When making a diagnosis, if pain is one of the symptoms of a disease, determining its nature is very important. This can form an opinion about what kind of disease the doctor is dealing with, even at the stage of collecting anamnesis, which will allow prescribing accurate confirmatory studies and starting treatment. Colic, or stabbing pains, is one of the directions that feels different from many. They have a special origin, and they indicate a number of specific diseases of certain organs.

When the pain stabs

Stitching pains can significantly narrow the "range of suspected" diseases when diagnosing, if the patient feels them in the lower abdomen on the left. It is enough to know that colic occurs at the time of spastic contractions, when smooth muscle fibers in the muscular membranes of certain internal organs begin to contract.

When this happens in the lower abdomen, it is worth remembering what is there to begin the diagnosis process.

By the way. The lower abdomen in patients of both sexes is occupied by the intestines and ureters, and in women, the fallopian tubes with the uterus are also occupied.

Although these organs perform different functions, their histological structure is the same: the walls of each consist of three membranes, one of which is muscular. It is in it that the contraction occurs, causing colic pain.

Radiating pain can have similar characteristics under certain circumstances. Therefore, if it stabs in the side, it is necessary not to ignore the attack, which may be weak and transient, but to conduct an examination and find out the cause of the colic.

Why can stab the left side at the bottom

Pain in this segment of the human body can become indicators of numerous diseases and pathological conditions.

1. It can be an inflammation of the appendix, when an operation is urgently needed to remove it, despite the fact that the organ is located on the right.
2. In addition, colic will almost certainly cause digestive upset.
3. Irritable bowel syndrome is also on the list of causes.
4. Stabbing the bottom of the left side can be, if the patient is overcooled, frozen, "chilled" the internal organs located in the lower abdomen.
5. Pain can be caused by kidney problems (left kidney).
6. Sudden weight loss, stress, or physical activity also cause tingling in the lower abdomen, including on the left side.

Advice. Paying attention to the location and nature of the pain, taking into account the gender of the patient, it is possible to determine what caused it. There are cases when colic is not dangerous and does not require treatment, but if pains recur, even without identified reasons, it is worth visiting a doctor to rule out serious problems in the future.

Colic in men

The difference in the anatomical structure of men and women is concentrated, including in the lower abdomen. Therefore, it is necessary to consider separately the reasons why stabbing pains can be experienced by men and women, as well as women during pregnancy.

The pain syndrome that occurs in the named area can be both temporary and permanent. In the first case, this speaks of temporary disorders, in the second, of a serious developing pathology.

1. Often this syndrome is a harbinger of prostatitis, especially if it worsens with urination, and problems begin with it.
2. Colic may show the presence of a hernia.
3. Inflammation of the testicles is fine too.
4. There are cases when pricks in the lower abdomen on the left with problems with the pancreas (not only in men).
5. Also, not only in men, it can be problems with the left kidney, intestines or appendicitis.

Colic in women

Female patients, in addition to pathologies common with men, causing colic on the left in the lower abdomen, may have their own. For example, inflammation of the ovaries, adhesions, obstruction of the fallopian tubes, cystitis, fibroids and others.

By the way. Colic needs to be differentiated if a woman experiences it during her period. This is completely normal (as long as the pain is not unbearable) and does not require diagnostic measures.

When a woman is pregnant, stabbing pain signals different problems, depending on the period.

1. In the early stages, tingling is associated with embryo implantation and is considered normal.
2. Closer to the middle of the term, stabbing may be due to an increase in the tone of the uterus.
3. Insufficiency in the cervix may occur.
   

   Changes in the cervix during pregnancy

4. If the pain syndrome is sharp and accompanied by bleeding, it may be a miscarriage.
5. With a long period of time, the so-called "training contractions", which do not carry any danger, or premature birth, which are extremely dangerous, can cause pain.
6. In addition, pregnant women also (and quite often) have intestinal problems.
7. Cystitis is a common cause.

Important! Obviously, if the colic bothers, does not go away, recurs or worsens, a visit to the doctor is necessary.

Classification of pain

Pains can be not only of a certain nature, but have many different characteristics. It is important to classify them in order to better describe the symptom.

Table. Classification of stitching pains.

Type of	Description
Sharp	In most cases, the occurrence means a serious problem. You cannot ignore and limit yourself to taking painkillers, it is necessary to determine the cause. It can be kidney problems, infection, pancreas, cystitis, prostatitis or bowel pathology, up to and including obstruction.
Sharp	If the pricks are sharp and irritating, and the sensations tend to intensify, an attack of appendicitis is possible. It can also be an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract are also likely in this situation, especially with the parallel occurrence of shock conditions and fainting. With concomitant colic chills, the problem may be in the pelvic organs.
Growing	It often develops due to problems in the intestines, mainly in its colon. It is accompanied by intestinal bloating. If the intestines have nothing to do with it, you need to pay attention to the genitourinary system. It can also be a left-sided cyst that needs to be removed surgically. In case of concomitant temperature, vomiting and other severe symptoms, an ambulance should be called.
Cramping	When women experience stabbing pains in the lower left in the form of contractions, they are most likely associated with gynecology (or pregnancy, including ectopic pregnancy). In men, it can be almost any disease, from the gastrointestinal tract to the prostate. Possibly a urinary tract infection or intestinal colitis.
Pulsating	If colic throbs, it is most likely an intestinal problem, or inflammation of the appendages in women. Intestinal colitis or obstruction is likely. It can also be inflammation or swelling in the intestines.
Periodic	If the pain is not a single one, but periodically returns, this also indicates intestinal problems or pathologies of the genitourinary system.
Constant	With constant pain, there is a high probability of having a serious chronic pathology, which must be diagnosed as soon as possible. There is a syndrome of chronic pelvic diseases, a complex pathology that cannot be completely cured. It can also be a tumor in the pelvis, intestines, or reproductive organ.

Diagnostic procedures and treatment

How is the diagnosis of the disease, the symptom of which is a stabbing pain in the left lower abdomen? In almost all cases, a complete examination is necessary, which begins with taking anamnesis and clarifying the nature of the symptoms.

1. The patient is interviewed by the doctor, and here it is very important to accurately describe your feelings, to choose the most appropriate epithets, determine the strength of colic, their frequency, name the accompanying symptoms and, if possible, provoking factors.
2. Tests are necessarily prescribed, in particular, a standard urine and blood sampling, but if you suspect intestinal problems, you will need a feces analysis, with probable gynecology - a smear, and so on.
   

   Stool analysis may be required

3. Almost certainly, an ultrasound scan will be prescribed, which will exclude (or identify) pathological tumor-like formations.
4. Further studies will follow until the cause of the pain is identified. This can be X-ray, tomography, colonoscopy, and other procedures.

How to treat

Since the spectrum of diseases that cause colic in the lower left segment of the abdomen is too large, treatment will be prescribed in accordance with the identified cause.

1. If the cause is in the intestines, the dietary regime will change and drug therapy will be prescribed.
2. If you have appendicitis, it will be removed surgically.
3. If the cause is a cyst, surgical intervention is also necessary to remove it (in the case when the cyst is not physiological).
4. Cystitis is treated with medication.
   

   Medication for cystitis

5. If prostatitis is detected, the doctor prescribes drug therapy.
6. If the patient is pregnant, a thorough examination is carried out to eliminate possible problems.
7. The kidneys and pancreas are also treated with medication.
8. In the presence of a malignant tumor, treatment will correspond to the accepted cancer therapy.

Which method of relieving colic will be chosen depends on what kind of disease caused the attack.

Prophylaxis

Can you take preventive measures to help prevent colic? This also largely depends on what is their cause. For example, in case of problems with the pancreas, do not overuse fatty and spicy foods. With irritable bowel, you need to follow a diet. Genitourinary and many gynecological problems are largely prevented by intimate hygiene.

In some cases, colic is caused by an infection caused by viruses that have entered the body either due to insufficient hygiene or due to reduced immunity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general and regularly undergoing preventive examinations will help prevent stitching pains or stop, identifying the pathology that causes them at an early stage.

Video - Why colitis in the left side of the lower abdomen in women and men