Right-side stomach pain is often caused by gas build-up or intestinal disease. However, it can also indicate more serious conditions like appendicitis or gallstones, particularly if the pain is severe. Mild stomach pain, without other symptoms, is usually not a cause for concern.
Treatment for right-side stomach pain depends on the underlying cause. Analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and dietary changes can often help. However, conditions like appendicitis or gallstones may require surgery.
It's important to seek medical evaluation if you're unsure about the cause of your pain or if it's severe. Keep track of when the pain occurs and any accompanying symptoms, such as radiation to other areas or changes with certain activities. This information can assist your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment.
Right Side Stomach Pain Location
When you have pain on the right side of your stomach, it's important to pinpoint where exactly it hurts. Your stomach is divided into nine areas: above, around, and below the navel, on the left and right flanks, below the left and under the right flank, and in the left and right iliac fossa.
Doctors also often divide the abdomen into four main parts:
- Upper and lower left abdomen
- Upper and lower right abdomen.
Right stomach pain can be linked to various organs like the liver, gallbladder, large intestine, and appendix. So, knowing exactly where it hurts can help identify potential issues. The correct way to describe right stomach pain is from below the ribs to the right pubic area.
Common symptoms of right stomach pain include dull pain or severe cramping that can disrupt your activities. Pressing on the abdomen might worsen the pain, but lying down can offer relief. Other symptoms that might accompany the pain include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weakness.
What Causes Right Side Stomach Pain?
Pain on the right side of the stomach can be caused by various factors:
1. Excess Gas
Right side stomach pain can occur due to the stretching of the intestine caused by gas. This can happen to anyone, from babies to the elderly. Typically, this pain feels strong, like a cramp, and often occurs after eating.
It's common during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, due to changes in bowel function caused by constipation or other issues. Excess gas can also be triggered by certain foods that take longer to digest and ferment in the gut.
Other Symptoms: Include bloating, loss of appetite, heaviness in the stomach, increased burping or passing gas, and feeling full. Gas-related pain can be constant or worsen periodically.
What to Do: Drinking plenty of water is crucial for regulating bowel function and aiding digestion. In some cases, your doctor may recommend laxatives like lactulose, magnesium hydroxide, or bisacodyl. Home remedies like warm compresses or herbal teas can also help relieve gas pain.
2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
People with IBS often experience stomach pain or cramping that can be ongoing or come and go. Pain typically eases after a bowel movement.
Source: Persistent pain in your stomach or abdomen could be a signal of irritable bowel syndrome, which should be treated by a gastroenterologist.
Other Symptoms: Alongside abdominal pain, IBS can cause diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. The exact cause of IBS isn't fully understood, but it's commonly associated with anxiety, depression, or mental disorders.
What to Do: Consult a doctor to assess your symptoms and rule out other potential causes. Your doctor may ask about the nature and intensity of your pain and your bowel movements. Treatment often involves medication like scopolamine to relieve cramping and dietary changes such as eating smaller meals, eating slowly, and avoiding certain foods like beans and cabbage.
3. Gallstones
Right side stomach pain might be a sign of a gallbladder stone. This pain usually starts as a cramp in the upper right abdomen or stomach area and can last from a few minutes to several hours. Sometimes, the pain can spread to the left side or to your back. It can feel very uncomfortable, like indigestion.
Other Symptoms: Gallbladder stones may also cause loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. If the stones block the gallbladder and cause inflammation, you might experience fever, chills, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
What to Do: If you suspect gallbladder stones, your doctor may perform an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery to remove the stone is an option, but it's not always necessary, especially if you don't have symptoms. Small gallstones can sometimes be treated at home with natural remedies.
Surgery is usually recommended for people with diabetes or weakened immune systems or those with very large gallstones or a significantly calcified gallbladder.
4. Appendicitis
Appendicitis can cause right side stomach pain, starting as a cramp near your belly button or in the stomach area. After about six hours, the inflammation worsens, and the pain intensifies. It becomes more noticeable in the lower abdomen, usually near the groin.
Other Symptoms: Besides abdominal pain, you may experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, a fever above 40°C (104°F), increased pain when the lower right abdomen is touched, and abdominal tightness.
What to Do: If you suspect appendicitis, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Surgery is often necessary to remove the inflamed appendix. It's important to learn more about how appendicitis is treated and the potential complications if left untreated.
5. Acute Hepatitis
Right side stomach pain is a common sign of hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can occur due to various reasons such as viral or bacterial infections, alcohol abuse, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, or liver diseases.
Other Symptoms: In addition to abdominal pain, hepatitis may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or pale stools.
What to Do: If you suspect hepatitis, it's important to rest, stay hydrated, and avoid foods that are hard to digest. Your doctor may prescribe medication such as interferon for hepatitis C or immunosuppressants for autoimmune hepatitis. It's essential to follow your doctor's advice and attend regular check-ups for proper management of hepatitis.
6. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis pain is usually felt in the upper abdomen and may spread to the back and left shoulder. It often occurs shortly after eating or drinking alcohol.
Other Symptoms: Along with pain, pancreatitis may cause nausea, vomiting, fever, low blood pressure, a palpable mass in the abdomen, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
What to Do: If pancreatitis is suspected, seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor may order tests like an ultrasound or CT scan and may prescribe painkillers and antibiotics. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
7. Menstrual Pain
Some women experience pain during ovulation, which typically happens in the middle of the menstrual cycle. This pain, known as mittelschmerz, is usually mild but can last for several days.
Women may feel discomfort on the side where ovulation is occurring, alternating between left and right ovaries each month. Additional pain may occur in women with conditions like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or ectopic pregnancy.
This type of pain is normal and usually not serious.
Other Symptoms: Menstrual pain can feel like twisting, sharp, or cramping sensations. It often occurs around 14 days before a period in a 28-day cycle.
What to Do: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide relief. If you have concerns, consult a gynecologist. Hormonal birth control may help manage pain related to menstrual cycles. Non-pharmacological options such as warm compresses or herbal remedies may also help alleviate abdominal discomfort.
8. Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys or bladder, blocking the flow of urine and causing moderate to severe pain. Typically, the pain is felt on the side where the stone is located and may radiate to the back or genitals.
The pain can start off as mild but may become intense. Kidney stones are commonly seen in people aged 30 to 60 years and affect both men and women equally.
Other Symptoms: Along with pain, kidney stones may cause nausea, vomiting, chills, pain during urination, blood in the urine, and fever if an infection is present.
What to Do: If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and anticholinergic medication to help manage your symptoms. Treatment options for kidney stones vary depending on their size and location.
How Is Right Side Stomach Pain Treated?
Treatment for right-side stomach pain varies depending on the cause. Some cases may be managed at home, while others may require medical intervention.
1. At-Home Treatments
- Using natural ingredients such as aloe vera, turmeric, and licorice root is very beneficial for the stomach. These ingredients are found in Cumargold
- Dietary adjustments can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. This might involve cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks. Avoiding acidic, spicy, greasy, or fatty foods can also be beneficial.
- Pay attention to how and when you eat. Chew food thoroughly, eat slowly, and avoid late-night snacking. Wait a bit after meals before exercising.
- Lifestyle changes such as managing weight, reducing NSAID use, quitting smoking, and stress management can help.
- Over-the-counter medications like antacids (e.g., Rolaids, Tums), proton-pump inhibitors (e.g., Nexium), or histamine-2 blockers (e.g., Pepcid AC) may provide relief.
2. Medical Treatments
- Depending on the diagnosis, medical treatment may involve prescribed medications or surgery.
- Painkillers such as opioids or antidepressants may be prescribed for pain relief.
- Antibiotics might be necessary for bacterial infections.
- Surgical interventions like cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), appendectomy (appendix removal), or hernia repair may be needed for certain conditions.
- Kidney stone removal may involve shock wave therapy to break up stones for easier passage.
When to Go to the Hospital
Certain warning signs indicate an urgent need to seek medical attention at the hospital:
- Sudden, severe pain that is localized to a specific area or gets worse over time
- Fever or difficulty breathing
- High blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, cold sweats, or feeling generally unwell
- Persistent vomiting and diarrhea that doesn't improve
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to go to the hospital. The doctor will assess your condition and may order diagnostic tests like ultrasound or CT scans to determine the cause of your symptoms.
