What Causes Sharp Pain And Swelling In Lower Abdomen?

Posted on Sat, 17 Jan 2015

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

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 Answered on

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, Dr., thank you for your time. For some months now, I have experienced a sharp pain and some swelling in my lower left abdomen. It came and went but now it is a constant source of pain to the point that I sometimes double over in pain. Bowel movements provide short-lived relief, as does passing gas. My apologies, I don't mean to be indelicate. I just had a complete physical in October of 2014, wherein my doctor feels for possible aneurisms and I was given a clean XXXXXXX of health. I am of normal weight, good BP, cholesterol not elevated, only taking Synthroid (my thyroid was removed 20 years ago) and Estrace. I am, of course, terrified of the "C" word (cancer) but I need to have this checked. I can't get an appointment with my primary care doctor for at least another week so I thought I would give this a try. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (-33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be arising from sigmoid colon

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
The pain and discomfort you have described are from the sigmoid colon. Most such pains are benign and caused by conditions like IBS, diverticular disease, Inflammatory bowel disease etc. Since you are very concerned about malignancy, I would suggest that you have a stool examination for occult blood and if positive to have a colonoscopy.
Have a good day
Dr Noble Zachariah

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