How To Treat Lower Left Abdominal Pain?

Posted on Wed, 30 May 2018

Question: I have pain in the lower left abdomen under the rib cage

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Questions so that I can advise.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Swafford,

Do you mean under your rib cage in the upper left abdomen? This is usually a result of a problem with the stomach such as gastritis but can be from muscle wall strain, pancreatitis, or other causes.

Can you tell me more about this - specifically:
1. How long have you had this?
2. How severe is the pain?
3. When does it occur - after eating, when you have no food in stomach, other times?
4. Any other symptoms? Black tarry or blood in stool? Diarrhea? Burping? Abdominal bloating/distension?
5. Any recent infections? Any recent travel?
6. What makes it worse? Certain foods? Bending? Coughing?
7. Any recent medications (including over the counters such as Advil)?
8. What is the nature of the pain - cramps, burning, etc?

Thanks, I'll write more information after I hear back.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar