What causes pain in lower right abdomen

What causes pain in lower right abdomen

Many reasons can cause pain in the lower right abdomen. Some of these causes are severe and may need immediate medical attention. The abdomen is the body space between the chest and pelvis. It contains all the digestive organs, and the lower right portion of the abdomen contains a part of the colon, right kidney, and the appendix.

Abdominal pain is never normal, so it is vital to get it checked out when you have serious symptoms. The presence of different symptoms can help identify the cause or decide whether you need immediate care. Read on to learn more about the causes for pain in the lower right abdomen!

The common causes of lower right abdominal pain

Most of the time, lower right abdominal pain comes from minor and temporary conditions. Here are some common causes of them:

Indigestion

The pain in the lower right abdomen could be a result of indigestion, which may be accompanied by other symptoms such as heartburn and flatulence. Over-the-counter medicine from your local pharmacy could help you manage occasional cases of indigestion. However, if the symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, you may need more serious medical attention.

Gas

Gas can build up in the intestines when food is not digested properly. This may cause feelings of discomfort and bloating. Other symptoms include burping and passing gas.

Constipation

Constipation is infrequent bowel movements or having difficulty passing stools that persists for a few days. In more serious cases, chronic constipation can last for several weeks. In addition to feeling pain in the lower right abdomen, some other symptoms include having hard or lumpy stools, straining to have bowel movements, or feeling blockage in your rectum.

Serious causes of lower right abdominal pain

In some cases, lower right abdominal pain can indicate a more serious medical condition. These conditions require immediate medical care:

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the infection of the appendix. This happens when the appendix is blocked by waste, a foreign object in your body, or cancer. It is a medical emergency and mostly requires you to have immediate surgery to remove the appendix. Appendicitis typically comes with symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and pain in your lower right abdomen.

 Kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidney. When it passes through the urinary system, some of the larger stones may get stuck and cause severe pain to the abdomen, lower back, and groin. Some other symptoms experienced may include blood in the urine, pain when urinating, vomiting, and feeling nauseous.

Kidney infection

The kidney can become infected due to bacteria in the urinary system. Although it is less severe than kidney stones, it can cause pain that is felt in the lower abdomen, and medical attention is required to prevent any permanent damage.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a chronic condition of the digestive system that has to be managed long-term. The symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. It should be taken seriously when you notice a persistent change in bowel habits or other symptoms as they may indicate a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.

Conclusion

Mild abdominal pain that goes away on its own may not require any medical treatment. However, if you have any persisting, severe, stabbing, or sudden pain, you should talk to a medical professional, as you never know when it might be a life-threatening condition.

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Understanding Appendicitis -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?

The classic symptoms of appendicitis include:

  • Dull pain near the navel or the upper or lower abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen; this is usually the first sign, but it occurs in less than half of appendicitis cases.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Temperature of 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Constipation or diarrhea with gas
  • Inability to pass gas

In many cases, atypical symptoms appear, including:

  • Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back, or rectum
  • Painful urination
  • Vomiting that precedes the abdominal pain

Call Your Doctor About Appendicitis If:

  • You have any of the symptoms listed above; acute appendicitis is a medical emergency that can be fatal. Prompt surgery is often essential. Do not eat, drink, or use any pain remedies, antacids, laxatives, or heating pads, which can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture.
  • You have symptoms of appendicitis, but your appendix has already been removed; you may have a urinary tract infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, diverticulitis, a tubal pregnancy, gastroenteritis, or inflammation of your colon, called colitis or Crohn's disease, or colorectal cancer. Seek medical care immediately.

After an appendectomy, call your doctor right away if you have:

  • Persistent vomiting
  • Continued pain in your abdomen
  • Dizziness/feelings of faintness
  • Blood in your vomit, urine, or stool
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea

How do I know if my lower right abdominal pain is serious?

Pain in the lower right quadrant should be taken seriously if it is severe and accompanied by the following symptoms:.
Fever, chest pain, or a feeling of extreme faintness..
Severe vomiting immediately after eating..
Breathing problems..
Irregular pulse rate..
Dark or blackish stools..
Vomiting blood..

What organ is in the lower right abdomen?

Organs found in the right lower quadrant include the appendix, the upper portion of the colon, and the right ovary and the Fallopian tube in women. The right lower quadrant may be assessed when diagnosing appendicitis, in which case, this quadrant would be tender and painful.

When should I be worried about right side 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.

What should I do if my lower right abdomen hurts?

Appendicitis is what we think of when we have pain in the lower right abdomen. But the pain can be caused by gas, a bowel obstruction, digestion issues, a kidney stone, or other problems. If you have other symptoms like nausea and fever, you should see a doctor or urgent care.