About Side Stomach Pain

Side stomach pain often occurs because of digestive and intestinal conditions, reproductive problems, appendicitis, or after recovering from an illness. Stomach pain, on the right or left side, helps doctors determine what ailments patients have. Medical treatments and lifestyle changes control these health problems.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Irritable bowel syndrome, a common digestive disorder, causes left-side abdominal pain and other discomforts such as cramping, constipation and diarrhea. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse says that, although IBS sufferers experience pain and discomfort, serious health conditions do not develop. Dietary changes, stress management and medications control this digestive condition.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• The National Women's Health Information Center says that polycystic ovary syndrome affects a woman's menstrual cycle, fertility, hormone balance and the heart and blood vessels. Symptoms of PCOS include acne, hair growth, weight gain, conception problems and left-side stomach pain. Doctors have not isolated particular causes of this condition although genetics play a major role. Treatment for PCOS includes oral contraceptives, fertility drugs, diabetic medications, lifestyle changes and laparoscopic surgery.

Stomach Ulcers

• Left-side stomach pain characterize stomach ulcers, commonly called peptic ulcers. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that ulcers, sores on the stomach lining or the upper small intestine, leads to a burning sensation in the stomach that appears and disappears in the course of a few days or few weeks. The pain intensifies when the sufferer's stomach is empty and eases after a meal. Stomach ulcers improve by eliminating spicy foods, avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen, eliminating smoking and alcohol and reducing stress. Treatments include acid-blocking medications, antibiotics and surgery if ulcers do not heal.

Appendicitis

• Appendicitis causes painful stomach pain on the lower right side due to inflammations and infection in the appendix, the finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine. The Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse says doctors don't know the functions of the appendix. Abdominal trauma and abdominal obstructions cause this condition. Surgery is the only treatment option for appendicitis.

Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy

• Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy causes lower-right stomach pain in children after colds or sore throats. The Royal College of Surgeons of England states that neck glands enlarge and polyps develop on the colon and rectum. Doctors often confuse this childhood condition with appendicitis. Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy usually corrects itself; however, doctors prescribe antibiotics in severe cases.

Biliary Colic

• Penn State Milton H. Hershey Medical Center states that biliary colic causes stomach cramping on the upper right side of the stomach, usually after a high-fat meal. This abdominal pain occurs because of the formation of gallstones in gallbladders and bile ducts. Overweight people and people with high cholesterol often suffer from this condition. Pain can last for up to three hours. Hershey Medical Center says this abdominal pain sometimes travels to the arms and back. Doctors treat this condition with pain killers and medication or procedures that dissolve gallstones. Lifestyle recommendations include weight loss and maintenance and low-fat diets.