
Appendicitis, gallstones, diverticulitis, etc., are the most common causes of stomach pain, specifically on the right side. Here is brief information on the possible causes and treatment methods for the same.
Stomach pain can not only be caused due to a disorder arising from the stomach, but also from any other organ located in the abdominal area like the liver, right kidney, gallbladder, right ureter, and right ovary and right fallopian tube (in females), etc. Identifying the exact location of the pain can help in quicker diagnosis and treatment of the cause.
► Appendicitis
Appendicitis, or the inflammation of the appendix, is one of the most common causes of pain on the right side of stomach. The pain caused due to appendicitis is very intense. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and fever. Appendicitis is commonly observed in teenagers and young adults, between 12 – 30 years of age.
What to Do: Call the doctor right away as appendicitis is usually treated with a surgery.
► Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a complication in pregnancy that occurs when implantation of the fertilized egg takes place outside the uterus. Lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding are the symptoms of this condition.
What to Do: Any abnormalities observed during pregnancy should be brought to the doctor’s notice immediately. Medications and surgery can help in treating this condition.
► Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula in the colon get inflamed. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. The exact cause of diverticulitis is not known.
What to Do: Changes in the diet and drug therapy can help in treating diverticulitis. You should have a high-fiber diet and drink adequate amounts of water to reduce stress to the digestive tract due to constipation.
► Kidney Stone
The excruciating and intense pain in the lower right side of the stomach can be a symptom of kidney stone. Along with the stomach, the pain spreads to the groin and back region. This type of pain is unbearable and is considered as one of the worst conditions ever experienced.
What to Do: Consult the doctor immediately. Various treatment options, such as drug therapy, surgery, shock wave lithotripsy, etc., are used to treat kidney stones.
► Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) leads to pain that spreads to the sides of stomach and the back. The pain worsens after a meal or after drinking water. Other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and faster heartbeats are also experienced.
What to Do: Pancreatitis requires hospitalization. A combination of different techniques like medications, diet, and surgery helps in getting rid of this condition.
► Gallstones
Gallstones are the crystalline stones formed in the gallbladder or ducts. These stones are made of cholesterol or bilirubin and are abnormally formed in the body. Gallstones cause a blockage in the bile duct and can also give rise to severe pain in the stomach.
What to Do: If the gallstones do not cause any signs and symptoms, treatment is not required. In other cases, medication and surgery is used for treating this disease.
► Hiatus/Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia is caused due to the bulging or protrusion of a part of the stomach through the diaphragm. Pain on the upper right side of the stomach is a prominent symptom of hiatal hernia. Chest pain, heartburn, fatigue, difficult in swallowing food, etc., are some of the other symptoms.
What to Do: If you experience any symptoms, you should consult the doctor immediately. Medication and/or surgery may be required for treating hiatal hernia.
Apart from those mentioned above, other health conditions like gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, bowel cancer, twisted ovarian cyst, constipation, diarrhea, infection in urinary tract, food poisoning, etc., can also cause stomach pain on the right or left side. Gastric problems like constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and food intolerance can lead to chronic cases of stomach pain.
Abdominal pain experienced after eating is usually related to gastric problems. They can be treated with home remedies or by making changes in the diet. Most of the conditions can be treated with the help of medication and surgery. Getting the underlying cause diagnosed quickly will help in treating the condition effectively. In case you are taking any painkiller or over-the-counter medication, make sure you consult your doctor.
If you experience persistent abdominal pain that lasts for more than a day, you must consult the doctor immediately. Specially, in case you observe any other symptom like fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting, it is wise to go to the doctor right away, rather than relying on home remedies.
► Have a healthy, nutritious, and well-balanced diet every day. Having meals at proper time every day also contributes in the prevention of stomach disorders.
► Avoid having excess spicy and hot food as it can aggravate stomach disorders. Similarly, it is recommended to avoid having such foods at night.
► Drinking adequate amounts of water is essential to treat dehydration and disorders related to it.
► Exercising for 15-20 minutes regularly is essential for maintaining good health.
► Take medication only after consulting the doctor and with a prescription. Many medications are known to have stomach disorders as their side effects.
Nearly all the stomach disorders can be treated effectively if diagnosed and treated on time. Lastly, as mentioned above, note that a proper diet and exercise goes a long way in preventing stomach disorders. Take care!