<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.I am of average health. Im having acute pain on my lower left side of abdomen, below my ribcage, but above my hips. The pain is all the way on left side. Its a very minor pain normally I barely know its there, but is very acute when I sneeze or cough or lean far to the right. Pain started less then 48 hours ago. Pain began shortly after playing basketball, although I dont recall getting hit there. No digestive problems. It doesnt seem like anything major. Just wondering ifwhen I need to have a gp take a look.  <response>: Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted that you played basketball 48 hours ago and then started pain in the left lower side of the abdomen, and now it increases on sneezing. The most probable causes are:- Development of a hernia.- muscle strain. This can be diagnosed easily by putting your hand on the most painful part and cough hard, if there is a small bulge that comes and goes, it is probably hernia. Get confirmed by clinical examination done by a General Surgeon, get a prescription for painkillers and get an appointment for surgery. He may not operate you immediately, will wait till the hernia is well-formed. Muscle strain can be elicited by local pressure and there will not be any impulse on coughing as seen in hernia. Get clinical evaluation and treatment done as advised. 