Soreness in Upper Left Abdomen
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Gladys
Posted on: August 12, 2007

I have had abdominal ulcers over the years. Nothing will fix me. I will be seeing the doctor next week tho’. I can feel a lumpy mass in the upper area of the left side of my stomach, which is painful to touch. It hurts when I don’t eat for long periods. When I do eat, I get pain in the same area which is only minutes after eating something. I have had colonoscopy and endoscopy a couple of years back. I have had barium meal and xrays of my whole inner system of my stomach, but nothing was found.

Years before it was found that I did have a problem with and ulcer, but I am surprised that nothing turned up in the xrays at a later date (couple of years after). I was passing blood from the rectum area as well and did have a couple of operations to fix a twisted colon and a fissure.

I haven’t bled from the rectum for quite a while but these pains in my stomach feels like something is growing bigger in the spot where the pain radiates from. I have read that licorice can fix me. Can you tell me what might be the cause of the pain if it is not and ulcer.

A specialist would be a better resource for giving you a differential diagnosis. Pain in the upper left area of the abdomen could be possibly be caused by ulcer, tumour, polyp, pancreatic problems, diverticula (usually lower abdominal area), twisting of the bowel, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.

Licorice root is soothing and anti-inflammatory. It is often used in the treatment of bowel inflammation. Because high doses and prolonged treatment with licorice can lead to high blood pressure, the deglycerated form (available at health food stores) is often used.

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