Right-Side Abdominal Pain: What It Could Mean and When to Be Concerned

Abdominal pain refers to severe cramps in the abdominal area, that is, the belly area. Abdominal pain is not only stomach pain but could also originate from organs besides the stomach. The abdomen comprises organs other than the stomach, such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine and appendix. In addition to these organs, abdominal pain is also caused by the skin and abdominal muscle spasms. Abdominal pain can be mild to severe, sharp, burning, cramp or localized.  

Right-side abdominal pain

The location of the abdominal pain is crucial as it indicates which part of the abdomen is affected. Right-side abdominal pain is a sign of an appendix issue. The lower right abdomen is one part of the body that can feel extremely painful, and pain is a frequent sign of underlying medical problems. The abdomen is divided into four regions: Upper and lower right and upper and lower left regions. In each area, there are particular organs of the digestive system. The liver, gallbladder, pancreas and right kidney are the organs present in the upper right region of the abdomen. The lower right part of the abdomen contains the appendix, colon and parts of the female reproductive organs.  

Conditions of the right-side abdomen

Right-side abdominal pain can be caused by various conditions of organs located in the upper and lower parts of the abdomen. Let’s know the conditions that lead to right-side abdominal pain:  

• Appendicitis: Appendicitis causes inflammation and infection of the appendix, resulting in lower abdominal pain. It can be acute or chronic. Inflammation leads to the blocking of stool as it passes through the large intestine. When the inflammation increases, the appendix swells and ruptures, which is a fatal and dangerous condition. It disperses microorganisms throughout the abdominal cavity from inside the intestine.  
• Ulcerative colitis: It is a chronic illness resulting in ulcers and inflammations in the large intestine. An ulcer is an erosion that reaches all three layers of the mucosa lining of the organs and inflammation is the injury that causes pain and swelling. It is an autoimmune disease. The immune system, however, perceives food, beneficial gut flora and the cells lining the colon as the invaders during ulcerative colitis. Instead, the lining of your colon is attacked by white blood cells that are meant to protect you and are sources of ulcers and inflammation.  
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): It is an illness of the intestine. It causes abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhoea and constipation. It causes tissue damage to the GI tract, resulting in an increased risk of colon cancer. The main symptoms of IBS are pain in the gut, abdominal pain, excess gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and the presence of mucus in faeces.  
• Ovarian cancer: Ovaries are a part of the female reproductive system. It produces and stores eggs called ovum and synthesises hormones that control the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. When abnormal cells in ovaries grow and multiply out of control, it leads to a condition called ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is caused by the uncontrollable growth and multiplication of cancerous cells in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. It is a disease which is seen in women.
• Endometriosis: Tissues that resemble the lining of the uterus can grow on other regions of your body, leading to endometriosis. Inappropriate growth of tissues results in many symptoms that affect the menstrual cycle. Due to scaring and fallopian tube occlusion, endometriosis can affect pregnancy in women and causes abdominal pain.  

Conclusion

To conclude, right-side abdominal pain is caused by many conditions of organs located in the right part of the abdomen. There are many treatments that can help to manage and prevent the conditions.