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

question-icon

What Do Stomach Cramps And Left Sided Flank Pain Indicate?

default
Posted on Mon, 26 Sep 2016
Question: I have pain on my left side that resonates when I lay on my left side sleeping. Also have had stomach cramps but am having bowl movements daily. When laying on my right side I can feel a bulge on my left side
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Diverticulitis can be the reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

The most common reason of such symptoms (especially left lower abdominal pain) is an inflammation of sigmoid colon diverticles. Even if your last colonoscopy (done 3 years ago) did not diagnose it.
Cramps, slight fever, blood mixed with the stool are other common symptoms of diverticulitis.

Stomach cramps do appear when the stool does not pass freely through the digestive tract. In some cases cramps indicate partial bowels obstruction. Such obstruction may appear for some time due to diverticulitis. It may also appear due to some small bowels issues including adhesions or polyp.

I suggest you to consult your doctor. Blood work and abdominal CT should be done at first. In case of diverticulitis, antibiotic treatment (including Rifaximine) is necessary.
If no diverticulitis, you should consider gastrologist consultation and having a test called CT enteroclysis (to rule out small bowel issues).

Hope this helps.
Regards.
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. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 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 Do Stomach Cramps And Left Sided Flank Pain Indicate?

Brief Answer: Diverticulitis can be the reason. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. The most common reason of such symptoms (especially left lower abdominal pain) is an inflammation of sigmoid colon diverticles. Even if your last colonoscopy (done 3 years ago) did not diagnose it. Cramps, slight fever, blood mixed with the stool are other common symptoms of diverticulitis. Stomach cramps do appear when the stool does not pass freely through the digestive tract. In some cases cramps indicate partial bowels obstruction. Such obstruction may appear for some time due to diverticulitis. It may also appear due to some small bowels issues including adhesions or polyp. I suggest you to consult your doctor. Blood work and abdominal CT should be done at first. In case of diverticulitis, antibiotic treatment (including Rifaximine) is necessary. If no diverticulitis, you should consider gastrologist consultation and having a test called CT enteroclysis (to rule out small bowel issues). Hope this helps. Regards.