Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Measures for Left Side Abdominal Pain

The pain in left side of the abdomen is very common in people who suffer from problems like colon cancer. Those who are more than 50 years of age must surely undergo the screening process and general scans to find the cause of abdominal pain.

Causes of pain in the left side of abdomen

There are several causes that might trigger pain in left side. This includes urinary, gastrointestinal and lung associated causes. Those who suffer from bronchitis, pneumonia or pulmonary edema might experience pain that is either mild to moderate or severe at times. Pregnancy and ovarian cysts might also cause pain. Do you know that heart problems might also lead to abdominal pain left side? Conditions like congestive heart failure, endocarditis, heart attack, aneurysm, coronary heart failure, mitral valve problems or pericarditis or some simple activities like exercise or problems like skeletal injuries, rib fractures, muscle cramps, hernia, neuritis, vesiculitis can lead to abdominal pain. Few of you might have appendicitis, gall bladder or bowel related problems. Food poisoning, Crohn's disease, IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence or pancreatic cancer can also cause it. Those who have kidney cancer or simple kidney damages due to accidents or those who endure diseases like Sickle cell disease, typhoid, constipation, coelic disease, porphyria, spleen rupture, angioedema, pulmonary embolism, endometriosis and POEMS syndrome might suffer from severe pain.

Symptoms of left side abdominal pain

The main parts of the body that get affected when you suffer from abdominal pain left side, include the left side of organs like liver, kidney, ureter, ovary, adrenal gland, fallopian tube, and spleen, descending or sigmoidal colon and so on. Even the muscles and nerves located on the left side of your abdomen will also be affected. The symptoms include changes in the bowel movement or pattern. The frequency of bowel movement will have a lot of variation for at least a continuous period of 4 days. When this occurs, it is high time to meet a doctor. There will also be stomach cramps, stool with blood and so on. Sometimes, there will be unexpected loss in the weight. There will be excessive tiredness and stomach cramps.

Treatment measures

Early diagnosis will help in solving many of the health issues. Thus, whenever you feel a slight pain in your abdomen and if it is on the left side, it is better to consult a general physician initially. The abdominal pain can be either mild or severe. To avoid health complications in the future, the right set of antibiotics has to be taken. Depending on the cause of the problem, the treatment measure is designed. For instance, if the cause of abdominal pain is heartburns, antacids can be taken. This will provide a temporary relief. If the cause is stomach ulcer, the same treatment can be used. When you have a balanced and a nutritious diet, that is less spicy and salty, you can avoid IBS. By drinking adequate supply of water, you can avoid the formation of kidney stones. But if you experience severe and chronic pain, even after following these treatment measures, it is better to consult a specialist.

By Aleksandr Kononenko

Major Types Of Degenerative Heart Disease

As you may know, heart disease comes in a number of types. All types are serious, degenerative conditions that can cause sudden death. Given this fact, degenerative heart disease is no doubt a health problem that needs to be considered and solved.

However, before one can solve degenerative heart disease, it is important first to know that major types of such disease. Understanding of these types can help you find the right solution and treatment.

So what are the major types of degenerative heart disease? Consider the following:

Coronary Heart Disease

This is by far the most common type. This is often associated to heart attack and chest pain, and many studies have shown that about 7 million people in the United States alone suffer from this condition.

The coronary heart disease actually occurs when the coronary arteries that carry the blood and oxygen to the heart become narrowed with fatty substances, known as plaque. The plaque builds up on the inner wall of the arteries, and when the arteries are narrowed, the blood and oxygen flow to the heart is slowed down. This may even lead to full blocking of the arteries, leading to heart attack.

Congenital Heart Disease

This type is often identified by a number of heart defects that are present at birth, hence the name. The defects may include patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventrivular septal defect, aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, transposition of the great vessels, tetralogy of fallot, truncus arteriosus, tricuspid atresia, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. All of these defects occur before or shortly after birth, making it one of the leading causes of deaths in newborn.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

This is also considered by many as one of the major types knowing that millions of people in the whole world are affected by it. Basically, this affects children and adolescents. It involves damage to the entire heart and its membranes. Also, it is important to note that this type is a complication of rheumatic fever that is said to have resulted from an untreated strep throat. This condition occurs with the heart valve is damaged due to the fever, leaving it incapable of opening and closing properly.

Angina Pectoris

Commonly known as chest pain, angina pectoris is a major type that affects people of different age. It is actually a specific type of pain in the chest that resulted from an inadequate flow of blood through the blood vessels. This condition is considered as one of the symptoms of almost all types of heart disease, so it is not only deemed as a disease itself, but a symptom as well.

There are other types such as atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, myocarditis, and a lot more. The best way to treat these types, however, is to ask for recommendations first from your doctor before opting for one of the available treatments. This is highly important as degenerative heart disease comes in a number of types with varying symptoms and levels of severity.

Joann Cheong