Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).

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 50. When a pouch tears, swelling and infection can cause diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis Diverticulitis is one of the most common causes of lower left abdominal pain. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula (small pouches) in the intestinal wall become infected and inflamed. Diverticula form in weak areas of the large intestine, which is often referred to as the colon.

How to treat pain in lower left quadrant of the abdomen

1. Bowel rest: Your doctor may suggest a liquid diet.
2. Anti-inflammatory medications: If your symptoms are due to inflammatory conditions, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or steroid creams.

Some common causes of pain on the left side of the body include infection and injury to internal organs, muscles, or nerves. In some cases, this pain resolves on its own. However, other cases may require immediate medical intervention.

The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. It is an organ that is part of the lymph system and works as a drainage network that defends your body against infection.

Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.

In the United States, the most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gallstones. Other causes include chronic alcohol consumption, hereditary conditions, trauma, medications, infections, electrolyte abnormalities, high lipid levels, hormonal abnormalities, or other unknown causes.

Severe abdominal pain is the predominant symptom, and blood tests and imaging tests help clinicians make the diagnosis. Whether mild or severe, acute pancreatitis usually requires hospitalization.

Pancreatitis can cause dehydration, so drink more fluids throughout the day. It may help to keep a water bottle or glass of water with you.

Prognosis in chronic pancreatitis The overall 10-year and 20-year survival rates are estimated to be about 70% and 45%, respectively. For some people, a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis can mean a lifetime of pain and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Thanks to new and innovative treatments, Trebek did live longer than many people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at stage 4, but he succumbed to the disease on Sunday morning, dying at his home at the age of 80. Twenty months elapsed between his diagnosis and his death.

Background: Mortality in chronic pancreatitis is higher than in the general population, the 10-year survival after diagnosis is estimated between 69-80%. Aim: Evaluation of mortality risk factors in chronic pancreatitis.

Some researchers believe that muscle contractions and lack of blood flow to your abdominal muscles might have something to do with the pain of a side stitch. To reduce the pain of a contracted muscle, take a deep breath. Then, breathe out slowly. Repeat this several times.

Side pain can be caused by a wide variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders and conditions. Relatively mild conditions that can cause side pain include indigestion and exercising too much. Serious and life-threatening conditions that can cause side pain include heart attack and trauma.

The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine) through a small tube called the pancreatic duct. The narrow end of the pancreas, called the tail, extends to the left side of the body.

Organs on the Left Side

• Lung.
• Heart.
• Chest.
• Adrenal gland.
• Spleen.
• Kidney.
• Stomach.
• Pancreas.

On the left side of the body, these organs include the:

• heart.
• left lung.
• spleen.
• left kidney.
• pancreas.
• stomach.

Amylase and lipase tests are used to detect pancreatitis. The tests measure the amount of these enzymes circulating in your bloodstream. These enzymes are typically checked when you have symptoms of acute pancreatitis or another pancreatic disorder and your doctor wants to confirm the diagnosis.

An increase in the number of WBCs might indicate the inflammation associated with pancreatitis or pancreatic infection, a severe complication of pancreatitis. Ms. Smith is also kept N.P.O. for several days to rest the pancreas, and then may resume a high-carbohydrate and low-fat diet.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Your doctor can detect gallstones or signs of chronic pancreatitis, such as damage to the pancreatic tissue, with this test. NYU Langone gastroenterologists are specially trained to administer this test and to interpret the results.