Finally, as regards the triggering causes, these range from simple traumas, involving the muscles, to very serious morbid conditions, such as pancreatic cancer, intestinal obstruction, colorectal cancer, etc.
Identifying the exact origin of left flank pain is critical to planning the correct therapy.
The lining that covers and protects these organs includes the skin, the intercostal muscles and the ribs (or ribs).
It should be remembered that the so-called intercostal nerves run between the coasts. Originating in the spinal cord, the intercostal nerves are peripheral nerves (that is, belonging to the peripheral nervous system), which innervate the muscles of the thoracic cage, the skin that lines the chest, and the internal tissues of the thoracic cavity.
(N.B: the presence on the left side of the left lobe of the liver, the heart and the aorta is somewhat blurred; however it is worthwhile to include these elements in the aforementioned anatomical area).
LEFT SIDE ORGANS, LOCATED IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ABDOMEN
The organs of the left flank, located in the lower abdomen, I'm:
- The lower part of the left kidney
- The left ureter
- Portions of the large intestine, namely descending colon and sigmoid (or sigmoid) colon
- Part of the bladder
- Arterial vessels and venous vessels which, respectively, carry and drain blood from the organs and tissues located on the left side of the body
- Only in women, the fallopian tubes and the left ovary
- The nerve structures (nerves) that innervate the organs and tissues just mentioned
Similar to the previous case, the lining that covers and protects the aforementioned anatomical structures includes skin, muscles (the abdominal muscles) and bones (left iliac crest).
.Gastric volvulus is the coiling of the stomach on itself. It is a rare disorder, more common in adults than in children.
The resulting pain is usually very intense.
Other symptoms: vomiting with blood.
The abdominal aortic aneurysm causes pain when it ruptures. The resulting painful sensation is usually very acute.
Other symptoms: collapse, drop in blood pressure, hypothermia and paleness.
Typically, the resulting painful sensation is in the form of cramps.
Other symptoms: belching, flatulence etc.
When kidney stones are symptomatic, the resulting pain can be very acute, sometimes intolerable. Curiously, the change of position can relieve the painful sensation.
Other symptoms: vomiting, colic, dysuria, anuria, nausea, blood in the urine, etc.
The resulting pain often tends to radiate to the back as well.
Other symptoms: fever, feeling unwell, vomiting, haematuria, dysuria, etc.
Usually, the pain that characterizes pancreatitis appears suddenly and violently, and has a tendency to radiate towards the back.
Other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, fever, agitation, shock, lack of appetite, weight loss, etc.
The resulting pain is intense, annoying and often continuous.
Other symptoms: jaundice, loss of appetite, pathological thinness, light stools, indigestion, etc.
The resulting pain is very intense
Other symptoms: it can give rise to intestinal obstructions, with all the consequences of the case.
The resulting pain can be sharp or it can involve a sense of squeezing.
Other symptoms: fever, cough, chest pain, phlegm, etc.
The resulting pain is very intense and usually appears 48 hours after the consumption of toxic foods.
Other symptoms: vomiting and fever.
Typically, the resulting pain is in the form of spasms.
Other symptoms: diarrhea, blood in stools, abnormal stools, lack of appetite, weight loss, etc.
CAUSES OF PAIN IN THE LEFT SIDE, IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ABDOMEN
Conditions that can cause left flank pain in the lower abdomen include:
- Diverticulitis: is the inflammation of the diverticula; the diverticula are small protrusions that can form inside the entire alimentary canal, in particular at the level of the descending colon and sigma.
The resulting pain is usually chronic.
Other symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal cramps, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal bloating, nausea etc. - Intestinal obstruction: we speak of intestinal obstruction when a section of the intestine has a blockage / obstruction, which prevents the normal progression of food along the digestive system.
Bowel obstruction is considered a medical emergency as it can lead to life-threatening complications.
The resulting pain is in the form of cramps or bite-like.
Other symptoms: dehydration, abdominal distension, abdominal swelling, bloating, constipation, vomiting, fever, etc. - Constipation (or constipation): is the medical term used to indicate a condition in which the emission of stool is scarce and / or infrequent.
Other symptoms: hard / ribbon-like / dark stools, abdominal swelling, perception of an "obstruction in the abdominal area, etc." - Crohn's disease: is an inflammatory bowel disease of autoimmune origin, i.e. induced by a malfunction of the immune system.
Crohn's disease can affect the descending colon or the sigmoid colon.
The resulting pain is generally chronic.
Other symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal cramps, abdominal swelling, anorexia, asthenia, anal pain, dehydration etc. - Ectopic pregnancy: this is the terminology that doctors use to indicate a pregnancy that takes place outside the uterus (ectopic ectopic pregnancy) or in an inadequate location of the uterus (ectopic intrauterine pregnancy). Typically, it is the most common cause of left flank pain in pregnant women.
The resulting painful sensation can be acute or dull.
Other symptoms: vaginal bleeding, dizziness, pelvic pain, nausea, fainting etc. - Endometriosis: is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside its natural site, which is the uterus.
The resulting pain is usually located in the left ovary.
Other symptoms: pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, dysmenorrhea, vaginal bleeding etc. - Abdominal hernia: is the protrusion / protrusion of a bowel (or adjacent tissue), which normally resides in the abdominal cavity. Typically, an abdominal hernia appears following a weakening of the muscle wall that lines and contains the organs of the abdomen.
Other symptoms: bloating, constipation, vomiting, abdominal cramps etc. - Irritable bowel syndrome: is a chronic, non-inflammatory, colon disorder that alters intestinal motility.
The resulting pain is generally in the form of cramps.
Other symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal swelling, diarrhea, alterations of the alvus etc. - Ovarian cyst: is a small sac filled with fluid, which forms inside or on the outer surface of the ovaries.
The resulting pain can be moderate or severe; generally, it is located in correspondence with the left ovary, but it can also spread along the leg (obviously left).
Other symptoms: pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, need to urinate often, dizziness, changes in the normal menstrual cycle, etc. - Colorectal cancer: it is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract and represents one of the main causes of death from cancer, both in men and women.
Other symptoms: weight loss, nausea, asthenia, abnormal stools, blood in stools, vomiting, etc. - Abscess of the psoas muscle: the psoas is a muscle that originates from the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and is inserted at the level of the femur. It contributes to the flexion of the thigh.
Other symptoms: lack of appetite, weight loss, bloating, night sweats etc. - Rectus abdominal muscle hematoma: may appear due to the rupture of an epigastric artery or due to a muscle tear in the rectus muscle.
Generally, the resulting pain begins suddenly and is very acute.
Other symptoms: abdominal mass formation, fever, flushing, paleness, confusion cc. - Sigmoid volvulus (or sigmoid volvulus): it is the twisting of the sigmoid colon on itself. It mainly affects the elderly.
The resulting pain is usually sudden and in the form of cramps.
Other symptoms: constipation and abdominal distension.
The precise recognition of the condition that causes the painful sensation is fundamental for therapeutic purposes: only by knowing the triggering factors, the treating doctor can prescribe the most appropriate therapy.
and treatments for Crohn's disease
To know more:
- Treatments and surgery for endometriosis
- Ectopic pregnancy therapy
- Intestinal obstruction therapy
- Pancreatic cancer therapies and treatments
To know more:
- Medicines and treatments for pneumonia