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What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain?
Question: Hi, Yesterday afternoon I began to experience pain in my lower abdomen on the left side around my belt line. The pain is confined to a small area and is sensitive to pressure and movement. The pain is moderate and accompanied by what feels like a slight fever. I feel pretty weak. I am a 47 year old male with no other health problems. No vomiting or blood in stool or nausea. It did start about an hour after eating a seafood dish that contained lobster, scallops, shrimp, mussels, and fish.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Lower left abdominal area is where sigmoid colon is located. Diverticles inflammation of sigmoid colon (diverticulitis) is very often reason of pain is such location. This condition is possible if you have had constipation in the past.
The other possibility associated with recent seafood intake is gastrointestinal infection even if there is no diarrhea.
In case of both conditions fever can be present.
As you have started antibiotic intake, please continue it. Please also start probiotic intake. For next 24 hours I suggest you to avoid any solid foods and drink plenty of liquids. If you will be improving, no need to rush to a doctor. If this wont help in few days, please consult your doctor.
If you have had constipation, please get scheduled for colonoscopy.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Lower left abdominal area is where sigmoid colon is located. Diverticles inflammation of sigmoid colon (diverticulitis) is very often reason of pain is such location. This condition is possible if you have had constipation in the past.
The other possibility associated with recent seafood intake is gastrointestinal infection even if there is no diarrhea.
In case of both conditions fever can be present.
As you have started antibiotic intake, please continue it. Please also start probiotic intake. For next 24 hours I suggest you to avoid any solid foods and drink plenty of liquids. If you will be improving, no need to rush to a doctor. If this wont help in few days, please consult your doctor.
If you have had constipation, please get scheduled for colonoscopy.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr.Stanko,
Thank you for your response. I am feeling better today but still very tender in that area. I rarely have constipation but did take a laxative last night which worked its magic today. That made me feel better.
One other question: Is it likely that an infection from the seafood would cause pain in such a small area? I tend to think this was diverticulitis. I guess I may never know for sure.
Thank you again!
Best regards,
Matt
Thank you for your response. I am feeling better today but still very tender in that area. I rarely have constipation but did take a laxative last night which worked its magic today. That made me feel better.
One other question: Is it likely that an infection from the seafood would cause pain in such a small area? I tend to think this was diverticulitis. I guess I may never know for sure.
Thank you again!
Best regards,
Matt
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Well, infection usually cause general abdominal pain. And diarrhea is also usually present. But you never know. Every patient is different and so are the symptoms.
If you find diverticulitis is more possible, you need to have colonoscopy done when the symptoms will go away. Also if the pain will not improve in next few days, you should consult your doctor.
Regards.
.
Detailed Answer:
Well, infection usually cause general abdominal pain. And diarrhea is also usually present. But you never know. Every patient is different and so are the symptoms.
If you find diverticulitis is more possible, you need to have colonoscopy done when the symptoms will go away. Also if the pain will not improve in next few days, you should consult your doctor.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. Stanko,
Here's the latest: First, I am feeling much better. Second: My fiance now has the very same symtoms starting today- low grade fever, fatigue, and lower abdominal discomfort/pain concentrated on the left side. She thought she had a UTI and went to the doctor and they tested her for that and a yeast infection, both of which were negative. So apparently this is some nasty bug but not too serious. Do you have any idea what it might be?
Thank you for your help!
Matt
Here's the latest: First, I am feeling much better. Second: My fiance now has the very same symtoms starting today- low grade fever, fatigue, and lower abdominal discomfort/pain concentrated on the left side. She thought she had a UTI and went to the doctor and they tested her for that and a yeast infection, both of which were negative. So apparently this is some nasty bug but not too serious. Do you have any idea what it might be?
Thank you for your help!
Matt
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
Some viral infection of gastrointestinal tract can appear in more than one person. If tou have been eating same foods, it may be the reason of infection.
As you are better, she should have same as yours treatment.
.
Detailed Answer:
Some viral infection of gastrointestinal tract can appear in more than one person. If tou have been eating same foods, it may be the reason of infection.
As you are better, she should have same as yours treatment.
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
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