What Causes Left-sided Abdominal Swelling?

Posted on Sun, 27 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 27 Dec 2015 Answered on

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a slight bulge on my left side from my belly to my hip.
What can this be. No pain

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please give details and post actual photographs if possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit very short and specific.

To recapitulate: Female/61 - not visited any Doctor - has a bulge from on the left side of belly button to the hip - no pain - wants to know what could this be...

May I please know few more details and a clear photograph (if you are willing and if possible):
- Since when have you got this bulge?
- Does it go away on lying down?
- Does it increase on coughing or straining?
- Or remains stationary in spite of any action?

Commonest reasons of such a bulge can be:
- Malgaigne's bulge due to laxity of the muscles of the abdominal wall, this is not a true hernia.
- Hernia of the abdominal wall
- Lipoma.
- Hematoma

Awaiting for your feedback.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)

How do u attach a picture ? It goes away when I lay down & sit up straight

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
YYYY@YYYY

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
You may please attach a picture with:
YYYY@YYYY

The swelling that goes away on laying down is usually a hernia.
If it pops up on forceful and purposeful coughing, it is hernia.

Awaited the picture.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar