Pain in the lower right abdomen is one abdominal pain that various conditions can cause, some of which are more serious than others.
Common causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis, hernias, kidney issues, reproductive system issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, and gas.
Other symptoms, such as nausea and fever, may also be present. If you have abdominal pain that is unexplained, persistent, or severe, you should seek medical attention.
Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment for any underlying health problem that may be causing the pain is essential.
What could be the cause of pain in the lower right abdomen?
The pain in the lower right abdomen means a health problem with the colon, and such pain can be in women's right ovaries.
If the pain is likely and not persistent, it means that it is simple, but if it is repeated and exceeds the limit, the doctor should be reviewed it to find out the cause and treatment.
When should I worry about lower right abdominal pain?
It depends on the severity and other accompanying symptoms. If the pain is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
Lower right abdominal pain is usually not a serious condition. However, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain or if any of the following symptoms accompany your abdominal pain:
- A sensation of tightness or constriction in the chest
- Chest, jaw, neck, or arm pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- difficulty or pain when swallowing
- sweating
- fever
- presence of blood in your vomit or feces
- Continuous nausea and vomiting
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- intense pain when pressing on your stomach
- abnormal or unexpected swelling in your abdomen
- dark or pitch-like feces
- persistent loss of appetite
- Increased pain or unusual weight loss
What organ is in the lower right abdomen?
The right lower quadrant of the body contains several organs, including the appendix, the upper part of the colon, and the right ovary and Fallopian tube in females.
This area may be examined when diagnosing appendicitis, as it may be tender and painful.
What are the early warning signs of appendicitis?
The early warning signs of appendicitis include:
- Sudden pain starting on the right side of the lower belly
- Sudden pain beginning around the belly button that often moves to the more down right side of the belly
- Pain that gets worse when coughing, walking, or making other sudden movements
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Low fever that may get worse as the condition progresses
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Abdominal bloating
- Flatulence (passing gas)
What causes lower right abdominal pain?
Kidney infection
Kidney infections are caused by bacteria that typically originate in the urinary tract. The infection can affect one or both kidneys.
The pain from a kidney infection is usually located in the back or sides, but it can also occur in the groin.
Other symptoms include fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, increased frequency of urination, the feeling of needing to urinate even after going, pain or burning while urinating, blood or pus in the urine, and cloudy urine or smells terrible, diarrhea.
Kidney diseases can lead to permanent damage and serious complications if not treated.
You should see a doctor immediately if you suspect you have a kidney infection.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard accumulations of minerals and salts that can form inside the kidneys. These stones can range in size, with smaller stones often not causing pain.
However, if a more prominent kidney stone begins to move through the tubes connecting the kidney and bladder, it can cause severe pain in the lower abdomen, back, side, or groin.
The location and intensity of the pain may change as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
In addition to pain, other symptoms of kidney stones can include:
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine (which may appear pink, red, or brown)
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urges to urinate
- Increased frequency of urination
- Fever and chills (if an infection is present)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Appendicitis
If you are experiencing pain in your lower right abdomen, appendicitis may be the cause.
The appendix is a small, tube-shaped structure attached to the large intestine. It is typically found in the lower right portion of the abdomen.
When inflamed, it can cause a range of symptoms, including severe pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
In some cases, the only way to alleviate the pain caused by appendicitis is to remove the appendix through a surgical procedure. Removing the appendix does not pose any additional health risks.
Hernia
A hernia is a condition that occurs when internal organs or tissues protrude through a weakened area in a muscle or tissue wall, forming a small lump.
This can cause pain or discomfort in the affected area and swelling or bulging in the belly.
Other common symptoms include pain when lifting, laughing, crying, coughing, or straining, and feeling full or constipated. In some cases, a hernia can lead to complications, such as sudden, severe pain, difficulty passing gas or having a bowel movement, vomiting, or a change in the feeling or position of the hernia.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is vital to seek emergency care immediately.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term digestive disorder that can cause pain in the abdominal region.
Some common symptoms of (Irritable bowel syndrome) include stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. It is essential to seek medical advice if experiencing these symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.
Indigestion
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a group of digestive symptoms that can occur after eating or drinking.
It is characterized by pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, feeling overly full after consuming only a tiny amount of food, nausea, gas, burping, and the regurgitation of food or bitter-tasting fluids.
These symptoms may feel sharp, dull, or burning. In most cases, mild indigestion can be treated at home and resolved independently.
However, if symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it is essential to see a doctor to rule out any underlying digestive issues.
Gas
Intestinal gas can accumulate when food is not digested correctly, leading to pain and bloating in the stomach area.
Conditions that affect individuals who were designated female at birth
Menstrual cramps
Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, are a common symptom experienced by women who menstruate.
These cramps can occur before or during your period and are typically felt in the lower abdomen as the uterus contracts to shed its lining.
Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can cause severe cramps, lower abdominal pain, and other symptoms such as pain during sex, urination or bowel movements, and heavy periods.
Endometriosis may also lead to fertility issues. It is important to see a doctor if you suspect that endometriosis may be the cause of your abdominal pain.
Ovarian cyst
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can be found on the ovaries. While many ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms and may resolve independently, large or ruptured cysts can cause severe abdominal pain, heaviness in the abdomen, and pain during sex or exercise.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience sudden and extreme abdominal pain or if your pain is accompanied by fever, vomiting, cold and clammy skin, rapid breathing, or weakness, as a ruptured ovarian cyst can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus.
Some common symptoms include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or brown discharge, shoulder or arm pain, and discomfort during urination or bowel movements.
If the ectopic pregnancy causes a rupture in the fallopian tube, it can be a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment.
Signs of a ruptured fallopian tube may include dizziness, fatigue, sudden paleness, and nausea.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the reproductive organs in women.
It is often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, but it can also be caused by other conditions such as bacterial vaginosis.
PID can cause abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, fever, nausea, vomiting, pain during sex, and burning during urination.
It is important to seek medical treatment for PID, as it can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Ovarian torsion
Ovarian torsion is a condition in which the ovary and sometimes the fallopian tube become twisted, cutting off the blood supply to the organ.
This can cause extreme abdominal pain and other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, and fever.
These symptoms may come and go if the ovary twists and untwists.
Ovarian torsion is a serious medical emergency and requires surgery to untwist the ovary.
Causes in males
The following are causes specific to individuals who were assigned male at birth.
Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernias are a type of hernia that occurs when fatty tissue or a part of the bowel protrudes through the abdomen.
These hernias are most common in males and can cause a lump to appear at the top of the thigh and abdominal pain.
Testicular torsion
The spermatic cords, which connect to the testicles, can twist and restrict blood flow, leading to abdominal pain and other symptoms such as a testicle in a higher position, nausea, vomiting, pain, and a bump in the scrotum.
Emergency surgery is usually necessary for testicular torsion.
Treatment
At home treatments
Less intense causes of lower-right abdominal pain may be treated with home remedies, rest, and over-the-counter medications.
Causes like abdominal gas and indigestion may resolve without treatment.
People with (Irritable bowel syndrome) may be able to manage their symptoms with dietary and lifestyle changes, medications, and therapy.
However, intense abdominal pain may require more than pain relievers and home remedies to manage symptoms.
Summary
Pain in the lower right abdomen is generally not a cause for concern.
Gas, indigestion, and menstrual cramps usually do not require a doctor's visit.
However, it is important to seek medical attention in many lower right abdominal pain cases, as multiple potential causes may have overlapping manifestations, such as nausea and vomiting.
It is always a good idea to listen to your body and consult a doctor if you are concerned, especially if your signs persist or disrupt your daily life.