When Does a Sore Throat Require Treatment?
Sore throats might resolve themselves on their own, but there are some instances in which you’ll need medical intervention. Learn when to see a doctor for your sore throat.
5 Common Causes of Lower Abdominal Pain
Stomachaches are a normal part of human life. You might eat something that doesn’t agree with you, or you can get butterflies in your stomach when you’re feeling nervous. Sometimes, though, the abdominal pain doesn’t pass as quickly as you’d expect.
If that pain seems to be localized in the lower part of your abdomen, there could be several possible causes. When you’re bothered by persistent stomach pain, visit either of our SmartClinic Urgent Care offices in West Covina or Santa Clarita, California. You can make an appointment or simply walk in.
Our team can help you figure out what’s causing your stomach discomfort and work with you to alleviate that pain. Here, we list five common causes of lower abdominal pain.
1. Constipation
If you feel pain in your stomach paired with a feeling of fullness and bloating, you might be constipated. That back-up in your digestive system can cause pressure that results in lower abdominal discomfort. You might also experience sharp pangs of pain because of gas in your digestive tract.
If you haven’t had a bowel movement in a while, try drinking more fluids and getting some exercise. If you’re still stopped up, come in to see us.
2. Ulcers
If the acid in your stomach eats through your stomach lining, it results in an ulcer. You might have indigestion, nausea, and bloating because of this open sore in your stomach.
Here’s the good news: Your stomach will heal itself once you remove whatever’s causing the ulcer. That might mean taking antibiotics to clear an infection or a medication that reduces stomach acid.
3. Reproductive system problems in women
Lower abdominal pain might not be a stomach problem at all. In women, the discomfort might come from a problem in your pelvis. It could be pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or even severe menstrual cramps.
We can help you figure out what’s going on with your reproductive system so you can get treatment for the root cause of your pain, alleviating it.
4. Diverticulitis
Your colon can develop small pockets, especially as you get older. When those become inflamed, you have diverticulitis. This causes sharp abdominal pain in the lower left side, usually paired with stomach distension, fever, rectal bleeding, and nausea.
The scale of treatment you need depends on how serious your diverticulitis is. Some cases can be treated at home with a liquid diet. Other cases require more involved treatment, like intravenous (IV) drugs.
5. Appendicitis
The pain from appendicitis usually starts near your belly button, then moves to your lower right side as the pain gets worse. Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency and usually requires getting your appendix removed.
This list is far from comprehensive; many different conditions can cause lower abdominal pain, and some of them require medical intervention. To figure out what's causing your discomfort, come in to see the professional team at SmartClinic Urgent Care. You can schedule an appointment or walk into either of our locations.
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Why Do I Have So Much Abdominal Pain?
If you’ve been dealing with abdominal pain that keeps coming back or won’t let up, it’s time to figure out what’s going on. It could stem from a treatable condition or be triggered by something in your diet. Don’t put off seeking medical care.