You have probably experienced some stomach pain at one point or another. Usually it’s nothing more than a minor cramp or stomach ache. You can even experience stomach pain from laughing too hard.
But what if the pain is more severe than usual and it’s coming from your lower abdominal area? Different conditions can cause pain in different areas of the abdomen, so it helps to determine where the pain is coming from.
What’s Causing Your Severe Lower Abdominal Pain
A severe pain on either side of the lower abdomen can be a symptom of any of the following:
- Cystitis. Inflammation of the bladder that brings pain and a feeling of pressure.
- Endometriosis. Tissue that grows outside of a woman’s uterus and causes pelvic pain that intensifies during menstruation.
- Intestinal obstruction. A blockage that prevents food and liquid from passing through the intestines. The pain associated with intestinal obstruction feels similar to a cramp and often comes and goes sporadically.
- Mittelschmerz. A lower abdominal pain that occurs midway through a menstrual cycle and typically does not require medical attention.
- Ovarian cysts. Pockets on the surface of the ovary that fill with fluid and lead to pain that may extend to the lower back and thighs and intensify during intercourse, bowel movements or at the beginning or end of a menstrual cycle.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). An infection of the female reproductive organs that can bring pain to the lower abdomen and levis, especially during intercourse and urination.
- Salpingitis. Inflammation of the fallopian tubes causing pain on both sides of the abdomen and lower back.
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Cancer. Many different types of cancer can cause pain in various areas of the abdomen.
Pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen can be a symptom of:
- Appendicitis. Inflammation of the appendix causing pain that starts near the naval before moving to the lower right portion of the abdomen. Pain often worsens with walking, coughing or other sudden movements.
- Inguinal hernia. When soft tissue protrudes through the abdominal muscles, pain can be experienced when coughing, bending over or lifting heavy objects.
- Kidney infection. A urinary tract infection that spreads to the kidneys and brings pain to the right side, back and groin area.
- Kidney stones. Mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys and cause pain in the lower right abdomen, back and groin and fluctuates in intensity.
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Viral gastroenteritis. An intestinal infection with cramp-like pain in the abdomen and muscle aches throughout the body.
For pain on the lower left side of the abdomen, the culprit could be:
- Diverticulitis. A swollen pouch in the digestive system causing pain on the lower left side of the abdomen.
- Crohn’s disease. An inflammatory bowel disease leading to pain that can vary greatly in intensity.
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Ulcerative colitis. Another type of inflammatory bowel disease causing pain and cramping.
What to Do for Lower Abdomen Pain
If you’re experiencing severe pain in your lower abdomen, visit your nearest FastMed Urgent Care today for an examination. Early detection is always the best remedy, and our medical professionals can provide you with the treatment necessary to make your pain go away.
FastMed is open seven days a week with extended evening hours to help you find the care you need when you need it. Find a FastMed near you today — no appointment necessary!
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Sources:
ScienceABC: http://www.scienceabc.com/humans/why-does-your-stomach-hurt-when-you-laugh-very-hard.html
Health Line: https://www.healthline.com/symptom/abdominal-pain