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Diverticulitis
The most severe, and potentially life threatening, lower left abdominal pain that I have experienced can occur at any time and puts me on my back with high fever in severe cases. The symptoms generally begin very mildly and peak within 6-48 hours after appearing; appetite is generally decreased. In the most severe cases, I have actually been able to feel the passage of gas bubbles across the area of inflammation in my lower abdomen. The lower left abdomen becomes very firm and painful. An immediate solid food fast can ameliorate the symptoms and sometimes reduce pain and even fever. However, the only cure for these acute symptoms that I have found thus far is antibiotics.
While there may be a few disorders that can be related to these symptoms, in my case this instance of lower left abdominal pain is the result of infection of one or more diverticulum. This condition is known as diverticulitis. In my case, colonoscopy has confirmed the presence of diverticulum in my lower intestine. I have found that increasing the amount of fiber in my diet seems to lessen the occurrence of these attacks. In addition, exercise is an effective way to keep your bowels moving and lessening the chance of flare up. Finally, eating yogurt or other prebiotics, such as acidophilus, can be helpful in preventing this malady.
