Your abdomen is home to a number of important organs. Since your abdomen has so many vital parts, right side abdominal pain could be caused by a number of different conditions. ailments, depending on the location of your pain.
If you have severe abdominal pain,especially on the right side, it’s a good idea to consult a physician and rule out causes that need immediate attention, such as appendicitis, an ectopic pregnancy, ulcer or kidney stones. Because there are multiple possibilities, such as constipation pain on the right side and gas, take note of your specific symptoms, the type of pain, how often you feel it and exactly where it occurs.
Common Causes of Right Side Abdominal Pain
Here are some of the many reasons you might experience belly pain on the right side:
- Appendicitis
- Constipation
- Gallstones
- Gas
- Hernia
- Indigestion
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Stomach Ulcer
Constipation
Sometimes the cause of your right side abdomen pain is simple constipation. This is when you are having a difficult time moving your bowels due to hardened feces, and it happens to everyone. Aside from belly discomfort, including right side abdominal pain, constipation has other symptoms you should watch for:
- Having fewer than three bowel movements in a week
- Producing stools that are hard or lumpy
- Feeling like you cannot get all of your stool out
- A blocked feeling in your rectum
Fortunately, constipation is usually treatable with over-the-counter medication. If your constipation continues or you have pain in the right side after pooping, you may need to see your doctor for additional treatment. Right side pain before pooping can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome.
Stomach Ulcer
A stomach ulcer occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes damaged from acid and causes sores. This can also inflame the esophagus or small intestine. When the small intestine is involved, it is called a peptic ulcer and can cause right side abdominal pain.
Other signs of a stomach ulcer may include:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Bloody vomit
- Dark, tarry stools
Treatments for stomach ulcers could include antacids and antibiotics. In a few cases, Other options may include additional medical procedures if your doctor deems it necessary..
Gallstones
Gallstones are caused when the gallbladder forms small, hard deposits of digestive fluid. The deposits cause the gallstones and the gallstones can cause you discomfort. Because the gallbladder is located on the tight upper abdomen, it can cause pain in that area.
Other common signs of gallstones include:
- Back pain
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
If you have gallstones with symptoms, check with your doctor. Treatment varies from medication taken to dissolve them or surgery to remove your gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
Appendicitis
If your appendix becomes inflamed, it causes appendicitis. This appendage is located where the small and large intestines meet, on the right side of the body, and therefore causes right side abdominal pain. It is important to know the signs of appendicitis because it can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Some potential symptoms of appendicitis are:
- Pain by your navel
- Sharp pain moving to your lower right abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of Appetite
- Bloating
- Fever
- Gas with diarrhea or constipation
Appendicitis could cause your appendix to burst, which can be fatal. Treatment ranges from antibiotics to appendectomy, which is surgery to remove your appendix. Talk to your doctor right away if you feel pain in the upper right abdomen or other sharp pain on the right side.
Right-Side Pain that Comes and Goes
While appendicitis pain tends to steadily increase, intermittent pain in the upper right abdomen can be a sign of many conditions including kidney stones or infection,liver problems, irritable bowel syndrome, female reproductive issues or hernia. The discomfort can also be caused by gas, which can get trapped inside the intestines at any point and will resolve after a bowel movement.
What to Keep in Mind with Right Side Abdominal Pain
These are just some of the potential causes of pain on the right side of the abdomen. Doctors are trained to look at five factors when diagnosing the cause of pain in the abdomen: what is the patient doing before or during the pain, where is the discomfort located, how severe it is, and medical history. Since there are so many potential options, professional medical help is the only way to know for sure what you are facing.
