Upper right abdominal pain is a common problem faced by all, at least once in their lifetime. Know about this ailment in a greater depth with the help of this article.
Pain and discomfort in upper right side of the abdomen may be acute (occurring suddenly) or may be chronic (persisting for a long periods of time). The pain may be localized, or may seem to originate in the upper right quadrant, and radiate throughout the abdomen. The severity of the pain, and the accompanying symptoms help to determine the underlying etiology.
Symptoms
The accompanying symptoms may include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, excessive gas, nausea, and vomiting. Abdominal swelling, and loss of appetite may also occur in some cases. Some individuals may experience back pain, chest pain, or difficulty in breathing.
Causes
There can be several factors and disorders that can lead to such a pain. The common ones have been listed below.
- Appendicitis
- Food allergies
- Cancer of the kidneys
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Endometriosis
- Food poisoning
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gallstones
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
- Hernia
- Hiatal hernia
- Indigestion (Common cause of upper stomach pain after eating)
- Infection of the kidneys
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Injury
- Intestinal obstruction
- Kidney stones
- Liver abscess (pus-filled pocket in the liver)
- Liver hemangioma
- Reduced blood flow to the lungs
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Peptic ulcer
- Pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue around the heart)
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
- Stomach flu
- Stomach cancer
- Urinary tract infection
Pregnant women may experience pain in the upper right side of the abdomen owing to pre-eclampsia. This condition is characterized by high blood pressure, and affects the brain, kidney, placenta, and liver. Too much pressure on the uterus, due to the growing fetus, may also cause upper right abdominal pain.
Treatment
If the pain is not accompanied with symptoms such as fever, chest pain, vomiting, then it is most likely that it will subside with the help of a few self-care measures. These may include the use of heating pads and warm compress. Taking OTC antacids may also help. However, self-medication is not considered safe, especially when the etiology is unclear. So it is advisable to seek professional consultation.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
