When a person’s stomach hurts, they might assume they just ate something that didn’t agree with them. However, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, particularly if the pain persists. What should a person know when they have pain? When should they seek medical attention?
Abdominal pain may appear in the left lower quadrant. A person might then look for a “what is llq pain and what does it mean guide.” This guide provides them with an overview of what they need to know regarding LLQ pain.
Defining the Left Lower Quadrant
When a person looks down at their abdomen, the left lower quadrant is the area on the left side under the navel. Body parts are found in this quadrant, including parts of the large bowel, the small bowel, nerves, and blood vessels.
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Causes of Pain in the LLC
Many things can lead to pain in the left lower quadrant. Constipation can cause discomfort in this area, or the individual might be struggling with food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Irritable bowel syndrome often leads to pain in the left lower quadrant along with bloating. Other conditions that might lead to pain in the left lower quadrant include diverticulitis, rectal cancer, and colon cancer.
A femoral or inguinal hernia that becomes trapped can lead to left lower quadrant pain. A kidney infection might also bring about this pain. Women often experience discomfort in this portion of the abdomen during ovulation, and this pain can be very severe but usually eases off within minutes. Pelvic inflammatory disease is another condition that can bring about left lower quadrant pain.
A woman experiencing pain in this portion of the abdomen might be suffering from a twisted ovary, and the pain could be constant or intermittent. Endometriosis has been shown to cause pain in this area of the abdomen. For some women, it is worse just before, during, or after they have their period. Any woman who believes she could be pregnant and experiences significant discomfort in the left lower quadrant should seek help immediately. She could be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, which requires immediate medical attention. Ovarian cancer could also be a concern.
Men experiencing left lower quadrant pain have different concerns. Torsion of the testicle leads to severe pain in the scrotum and lower portion of the abdomen on the affected side. Medical help is needed promptly. Epididymal orchitis is another condition that affects men and leads to left lower quadrant pain. The scrotum is typically swollen, tender, or painful with this condition.
Any person with pain in this portion of the abdomen should see a doctor immediately. They cannot know if they are dealing with inflammatory bowel disease or another condition. Sigmoid volvulus is a condition where a portion of the large bowel becomes twisted, leading to a blockage. This condition requires immediate surgery.
Kidney stones often impact this quadrant of the abdomen, and a person with shingles often has pain in this area. However, a person might also have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is hard to know simply by the symptoms, so a medical professional should investigate any pain in the left lower quadrant for an accurate diagnosis.
Many other conditions can bring about pain in the left lower quadrant. A person might be experiencing back or hip issues, and the pain is radiating to the abdomen. A person can pull a muscle in their stomach or strain it. When they move that muscle, the pain worsens; when they lie still, the pain disappears.
Seeking Medical Treatment
Pain anywhere in the body that persists should lead to seeing a medical doctor. The doctor will run tests to determine the cause. However, there are times when a person cannot wait for an appointment with their regular physician. They need immediate medical help.
Severe pain or persistent vomiting should lead to a trip to the emergency room or an urgent care center. Any person who is losing weight without trying to drop excess pounds should see their physician. Fainting, breathlessness, or lightheadedness, or any other cause of concern, should be investigated by a medical professional. Blood in the feces or on toilet paper is also highly concerning.
Many people ignore their bowel movements. When they begin to go more frequently or become constipated regularly, they just assume it is a change in their diet. It could be a sign of a more serious condition, so this individual should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Women who might be pregnant should contact their physician if they have pain in the left lower quadrant. Men with severe pain in the scrotum that develops suddenly should seek medical help right away. Finally, bloating that appears to be worsening needs to be investigated by a medical professional.
Determining the Cause of Left Lower Quadrant Pain
Individuals want to know what they should expect when seeing a doctor for left lower quadrant discomfort. This visit typically begins with a conversation regarding the pain and the symptoms being experienced. The doctor will then usually examine the patient to see if they can find a cause without doing additional testing. For instance, if the doctor sees that the patient is dealing with shingles, they won’t need to test further to find the cause of the left lower quadrant issue. They know that this pain frequently comes with shingles and will resolve when the shingles are resolved.
If the cause cannot easily be attributed to an existing condition, the doctor will feel the stomach in the area where the pain is present. They will probably check other parts of the abdomen as well. At times, a rectal exam is needed, and a female might require an internal examination to determine whether she is suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease or another condition that impacts the female reproductive system. A male could require a scrotum and testicles exam to rule out possible causes related to the male reproductive system.
The doctor might request a urine sample to look for infections or a blood test to check liver and kidney function and rule out any infections in the body. Blood tests are also helpful in determining whether a person is anemic or has elevated blood sugar levels.
In some cases, the patient will need to undergo a colonoscopy, CT scan, or ultrasound scan to determine the cause of this pain. An MRI, X-ray, or sigmoidoscopy could be required to rule out specific conditions. These tests determine the patient’s condition and whether emergency surgery is needed or another treatment will suffice. The treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Individuals should not panic when they experience left lower quadrant pain. They need to be seen by a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment. With this treatment, a person can manage their condition, or it may be resolved. Talk with the doctor to learn the prognosis and what to expect regarding pain in this portion of the abdomen.