Diverticulitis

In many cases, persistent pain specific to the lower left side of the abdomen is caused by diverticulitis.

Diverticula are small pouches created from pressure on weak spots in the colon. Diverticula are common and even more so after age 65. When a pouch tears, swelling and infection might cause diverticulitis.

Other symptoms may include:

• fever
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• abdominal tenderness

Treatment for diverticulitis depends on the severity of your symptoms. For mild diverticulitis, a doctor might recommend rest, a change in diet, and antibiotics. If the condition is severe or continues to return, surgery might be needed.

Gas

Passing gas and burping are normal digestion processes. Gas is found throughout your digestive tract, from your stomach to your rectum. Too much gas may cause pain, bloating, and discomfort.

Gas usually isn’t serious. Talk with a doctor if it’s persistent or goes along with other symptoms, such as:

• vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• unintentional weight loss
• heartburn
• blood in the stool

Indigestion

Indigestion usually happens after eating. Your stomach makes acid when you eat, which may irritate your esophagus, stomach, or bowel. The pain is usually in the upper part of the abdomen, but in rare cases, it might also affect the lower abdomen.

Common symptoms of indigestion include:

• heartburn
• burning sensation in the stomach
• feeling full or bloated
• belching or passing gas
• nausea

Speak with a doctor if indigestion continues or worsens.

Hernia

A hernia is the result of an internal organ pushing through the muscle or tissue surrounding it. This may cause a lump or bulge to appear in the lower abdomen, groin, or upper thigh areas.

Other symptoms may include:

• increasing size of the bulge
• increasing pain at the site
• pain when lifting
• a dull ache
• a feeling of fullness

Different symptoms accompany each type of hernia. For example, hiatal hernias do not produce a bulge.

The specific cause depends on the type of hernia, but they do not disappear on their own. Speak with a doctor if you suspect you have one, as untreated hernias may cause serious problems.

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia is the result of fat or a portion of the small intestine pushing through a weak area in the lower abdomen. This type of hernia is more common in males, but it can also occur in females.

Symptoms include:

• a bulge in the pubic or groin area that may get larger over time and usually goes away when lying down
• pain that worsens when straining, lifting, coughing, or during physical activity
• weakness, heaviness, burning, or aching in the groin
• a swollen or enlarged scrotum

This type of hernia might cause serious problems. Get medical help right away if you have:

• extreme tenderness or redness at the bulge site
• sudden pain that gets worse and continues
• problems passing gas or having a bowel movement
• nausea and vomiting
• fever

Kidney stones

A kidney stone is a solid mass of crystals that develops in your urinary tract. It causes pain when it moves inside your kidney or into your ureter, which is the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.

You may experience severe pain on one side of your abdomen or back, under your ribs. This may come in sporadic waves as the stone moves through your urinary tract.

You may also experience:

• urine that’s pink, red, brown, cloudy, or smelly
• painful or more frequent urination
• nausea or vomiting
• fever or chills

There’s no single cause for kidney stones, but estimates suggest that 10% of the U.S. population will have them at least once in their life.

Shingles

Shingles is a skin rash caused by varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you’ve contracted it, the varicella-zoster virus remains dormant in your body. It may then reappear as shingles, usually after age 50.

The most common symptom is a painful rash around one side of your body. It looks like a stripe of blisters. The rash sometimes appears on the neck or face. You may also experience pain without a rash.

Other symptoms include:

• burning, numbness, itching, or tingling
• sensitivity to touch
• blisters that break open, ooze, and form scabs

The shingles vaccine can help lower your chances of developing shingles. If you have shingles, speak with a doctor right away. Early treatment may help ease symptoms and minimize the chances of other problems.