Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
It seems like you have pain around the upper left side of the abdomen.
Do you have any associated symptoms? Fever/ bowel irregularities, irregular bladder habits, pain while passing urine?
Mostly the kidneys, the large intestine and the spleen lodge in that area. So based on the symptoms, an assumption can be made about the problem. Can you also describe the type of pain?
Some of the causes of pain on the left side of the abdomen are diverticulitis, left ureteric colic, colitis etc.
In an elderly person, I would consider diverticulitis as the first possibility.
This is a condition in which there is inflammation of small outpouchings called diverticula in the colon.
A CT scan of the abdomen would help to diagnose this condition.
In milder form of this disease a course of antibiotics would provide relief.
The CT scan would also help to know whether you have any stones in the left ureter causing pain.
So you can get a CT scan done and discuss with your doctor about the further course of management.
I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
DR.R.K
Patient replied :
Dear doctor:
I have no other problems (no fever , normal bowel movements , etc) other than the chronic left-sided abdominal pain. I should note that 6 yrs ago I had severe lower abdominal pain (acute diverticulitis as confirmed by CT scan which was treated siccessfully by outpatient antibiotic therapy). Is it possible/likely that the diverticuli in the large intestine could now cause chronic pain without an acute attack of diverticulitis and without fever ?? Is antibiotic treatment now reasonable even though not acute diverticuklitis ???? Or, is there anti-pain treatment that might now help alleviate my abdominal pain ??
Thank you ! Bruce Holub
Hello,
Thank you for your follow up.
In your first post you have mentioned that you have this flank pain for the past one week.
Even without the other symptoms you have mentioned an attack of diverticulitis is still a possibility taking your age, site of pain and past medical history in to consideration. Recurrent attacks of diverticulitis can occur.
Taking a course of antibiotics ( ciprofloxacin and metronidazole) would be a prudent move. You can try that to see if there is any relief.
I hope that answers your question, feel free to discuss further
Regards,
Dr.R.K.