HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pain In The Left Side Of The Abdominal Region?

default
Posted on Wed, 15 Mar 2017
Question: i have had several shooting pains on my left side behind my bottom left rib and now i feel like i need to burp, almost nauseated but not completely? i am very healthy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Assume you are asking for an opinion?

Detailed Answer:
Good evening.

Since you are not asking a specific question my assumption is that you are asking for an opinion on your symptoms? My guess from the limited information is that you may be worried or concerned about these pains as to whether or not they represent anything serious? Certainly, trying to diagnose you LONG DISTANCE without any other information is not easy to do but just purely on the basis of the information you're supplying I would say that the chance of these symptoms being related to something GI such as distended bowel loops or an overly distended stomach due to gas is MOST LIKELY compared to anything else such as a cardiac cause.

You may also place your right hand over the left side of your abdominal region just below the ribs and down to about the level of the umbilicus to see if you can feel a pulsation if any sort. If you have a very lean body composition then, this may be normal. If not, then, any pulsation in this area that synchs with your heartbeat should be seen by a doctor.

You may try something on the order of a little Pepto Bismol or Gaviscon to see if you get some relief from symptoms, however, I would not try more than 1 or 2 doses since sometimes overdoing these types of OTC remedies can also produce symptoms of gas, bloating, and vague abdominal pains. If you were to develop any shortness of breath, pains radiating upward toward the neck, the right or left shoulders, or heaviness over the chest, or vomiting I would recommend an immediate visit to an ER or Urgent Care Center.

Otherwise, I believe you will get resolution from your symptoms in the next 24-48 hrs. as your GI system calms down from either something you ate or the 24 hr. bug. Keep drinking goodly amounts of water and other good fluids (avoid caffeine and caffeinated beverages) and you may wish to consider softer foods for the next day or 2 such as rice pudding, bananas, and jello.

If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Pain In The Left Side Of The Abdominal Region?

Brief Answer: Assume you are asking for an opinion? Detailed Answer: Good evening. Since you are not asking a specific question my assumption is that you are asking for an opinion on your symptoms? My guess from the limited information is that you may be worried or concerned about these pains as to whether or not they represent anything serious? Certainly, trying to diagnose you LONG DISTANCE without any other information is not easy to do but just purely on the basis of the information you're supplying I would say that the chance of these symptoms being related to something GI such as distended bowel loops or an overly distended stomach due to gas is MOST LIKELY compared to anything else such as a cardiac cause. You may also place your right hand over the left side of your abdominal region just below the ribs and down to about the level of the umbilicus to see if you can feel a pulsation if any sort. If you have a very lean body composition then, this may be normal. If not, then, any pulsation in this area that synchs with your heartbeat should be seen by a doctor. You may try something on the order of a little Pepto Bismol or Gaviscon to see if you get some relief from symptoms, however, I would not try more than 1 or 2 doses since sometimes overdoing these types of OTC remedies can also produce symptoms of gas, bloating, and vague abdominal pains. If you were to develop any shortness of breath, pains radiating upward toward the neck, the right or left shoulders, or heaviness over the chest, or vomiting I would recommend an immediate visit to an ER or Urgent Care Center. Otherwise, I believe you will get resolution from your symptoms in the next 24-48 hrs. as your GI system calms down from either something you ate or the 24 hr. bug. Keep drinking goodly amounts of water and other good fluids (avoid caffeine and caffeinated beverages) and you may wish to consider softer foods for the next day or 2 such as rice pudding, bananas, and jello. If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out. Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.