Pain In The Right Abdomen

What Disorders Cause Right Abdominal Pain?

Pain in the right abdomen can be caused by a variety of disorders, diseases and injuries. The goal of this article is to list and describe the most common. This information is brief and introductory. It is intended for the general public and not for medical professionals. If you have sufdden or sharp pain in the right abdomen, it's always best to seek the advice of a doctor.

First, let's define what we mean by "abdomen." Medically speaking, the abdomen is considered to be the area in the front of the body from the middle of your chest down to the genitals. Disease, infection, or irritation of any of the organs in this area can trigger pain in the right abdomen.

The abdomen is packed with organs, so there are plenty of possibilities for disorders that cause right side abdominal pain.
 
Appendicitis This is a very specific type of pain caused by an inflamed appendix. Pain usually starts in the middle of the abdomen, often near the navel. It then slowly moves to the right lower abdomen. Pain from appendicitis can be intense. Other symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, vomiting and sometimes (but not always) constipation or diarrhea.

Gallbladder problems There are several possibilities for pain in the right abdomen involving the gallbladder:

Biliary Colic/Gallstones This condition is typically caused by a gallstone passing out of the bladder or through the bile ducts. It can cause constant, severe pain in the upper right abdomen which may last from 15 minutes to 4-5 hours. Moving does not make aggravate the pain.

Cholecystitis This involves inflammation or irritation of the gallbladder. Pain is similar to that of biliary colic, but is likely to last more than 4-5 hours.

Ulcers These are sores or holes that develop in the gastrointestinal tract. Typically, you'll feel a burning sensation in the abdomen that will make you uncomfortable between 30 minutes and 3 hours. If it happens once, it's probably just indigestion or "heartburn." If it happens often, it's probably an ulcer.

Gastroenteritis This is also known as "stomach flu" (even though it's unrelated to influenza). Typical symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in the abdomen on either the right or left side.

Inflammation of the Lower Esophagus This sometimes happens when acid escapes from the stomach and finds its way into the softer tissue of the esophagus (This condition is also known as reflux). This acid acts as an irritant, causing a burning or raw sensation.

Food Poisoning A temporary but uncomfortable condition that may occur when you eat food that is spoiled or has been tainted by certain kinds of germs.

Constipation Most people are familiar with this condition and many have experienced it. Fecal matter in the intestines and colon become hard and dry, causing abdominal discomfort.

Trapped Gas Intestinal gas sometimes becomes trapped, causing pain in the abdomen. Crohn's Disease This is a chronic form of bowel disease that causes inflammation and discomfort, most often in the lower small intestine.

Ulcerative Colitis Also known as UC. Ulcerative colitis a bowel disease that causes abdominal pain due to ulcers and irritation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. 

Kidney Stones These can cause pain on either side of the abdomen, not just the right. Kidney stones form when certain minerals clump together and then clog the ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The most common symptom is sharp, severe pain in the lower back that sometimes radiates around to the abdomen in the front.

Kidney Infection This is a urinary tract infection that usually starts in the urethra or bladder, then travels into the kidneys. It's a serious medical condition that often requires hospitalization but can be cured with antibiotics.

Problems Involving Reproductive Organs For obvious reasons, women are more likely to suffer reproductive organ issues than men. Pain in the right abdomen may occur due to:

Ovarian Cysts A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that may have several different causes. About a half dozen types of ovarian cysts are common. Symptoms frequently include pain, pressure and swelling in the abdomen, bleeding, nausea, vomiting, weight gain and problems passing urine.

Polycystic Ovaries These type of cysts occur when eggs mature but are not released. The sacs continue to grow and many cysts form as the cycle repeats each month.

Ectopic Pregnancy This happens when a fertilized egg settles in the wrong place--typically the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus. As the fertilized egg grows, it will burst the organ that contains it. This can cause extreme pain in the abdomen.

Muscle, Ligament and Cartilage Injuries Muscle pulls, tears and strains may also cause pain in the right abdomen. Usually, discomfort of this sort is easy to distinguish from pain from an internal organ. Injuries to soft tissue in the abdominal region may result from a number of causes: athletic competition, accidents, and overuse or repetitive use during exercise.

Hernia A hernia occurs when a part of the body protrudes abnormally through a tear or opening in an adjacent part. The most common type of hernia develops in the abdomen due to a weakness in the abdominal wall. Adipose tissue or abdominal organs covered with peritoneum, may protrude

Referred Pain from Spinal Problems There are a number of conditions related to the spine that can cause pain in the right abdomen. The condition may actually occur in a facet joint or a disc, but will travel along a nerve path to other parts of the body, including the abdomen. In some cases (but not all), the pain will be accompanied by a tingling sensation or numbness in the affected region.

Cancer Tumors in any of the organs of the abdomen can trigger pain, although symptoms often don't appear in the early stages.

Mesenteric lymphadenopathy Pain from this condition is often confused with appendicitis. The first sign is pain in the right lower abdomen. Often, a cold or sore throat may have been present for a few days, and the glands of the neck might be somewhat swollen.

Once again, your doctor is the best judge of possible causes for pain in the right abdomen. He or she will probably ask you when the pain began and the exact location of the discomfort. Your doctor will also want to know if the pain is dull or sharp. Is it constant, or does it come and go? Does it affect your appetite? Do you feel like vomiting?