What Causes Severe Lower Abdominal Pain?

Posted on Sat, 10 Oct 2015

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

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 Answered on

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has been experiencing severe pain in his lower abdomen all week. Mostly on the left side, front, but sometimes in his lower back. He had a really severe episode on Tues morning... thinking maybe he had passed a kidney stone (but didn't see a stone). By early this morning the pain is constant and "excruciating ". No fever.
Generally he is in good physical condition, plays racquetball twice a week. Age 69. No medicines except Metformin and Advil. Today started taking Percoset for the pain.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kidney stone, diverticulitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

Though you didnt see the stone, kidney stone is still a possibility. An USG/CT scan of the abdomen may help to diagnose it.

The next possible cause for the left lower abdominal pain is diverticulitis. Again a CT scan would help to diagnose it. In case of diverticulitis he may require a course of antibiotics.

I would advise you to take him to the doctor at the earliest for the scan and medications.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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