What causes right-side abdominal pain?
Right-side abdominal pain is commonly caused by gas, constipation, a strained muscle, gallstones or gallbladder inflammation, liver inflammation, appendicitis, kidney stones or a kidney infection, and, in women, ovarian cysts, ovarian torsion or ectopic pregnancy. Crohn’s disease often affects the end of the small intestine in the lower right abdomen. Whether pain is in the upper or lower right is a key clue.
| Area | Common causes | Urgent causes |
|---|---|---|
| Upper right | Gallstones, trapped gas, muscle strain, fatty liver | Gallbladder infection, hepatitis, pneumonia |
| Lower right | Gas, constipation, IBS, ovarian cyst | Appendicitis, ovarian torsion, ectopic pregnancy |
| Right side and back | Muscle strain | Kidney stone, kidney infection |
| Lower right, recurring | IBS | Crohn’s disease with diarrhea and weight loss |
How do I know if right-side pain is appendicitis?
Appendicitis typically starts as dull pain around the belly button that moves to the lower right abdomen over several hours and becomes sharp, constant and worse with walking, coughing or bumps in the road. It often comes with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and a low fever. Suspected appendicitis is an emergency, because the appendix can rupture.
What causes upper right-side pain?
Upper right-side pain is most often caused by gallstones, which trigger steady pain after fatty meals that may spread to the right shoulder, or by gallbladder inflammation, liver conditions, trapped gas, a duodenal ulcer, or a strained muscle. Pneumonia at the base of the right lung can also cause pain here. Fever, yellow skin or severe pain lasting hours needs urgent care.
See cramps in the upper right abdomen for more detail.
Have symptoms like these?
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, sees adults at our Katy and Cypress offices, serving patients across Greater Houston.
Can kidney problems cause right-side abdominal pain?
Yes. A kidney stone often causes sudden, severe, waves of pain in the side or back that can move toward the lower abdomen or groin, sometimes with blood in the urine, nausea or vomiting. A kidney infection causes side or back pain with fever, chills and painful or frequent urination. Both need prompt medical care.
Clues that narrow right-side pain
- After fatty mealsPoints to the gallbladder, especially upper right.
- Moves from belly buttonPoints to appendicitis in the lower right.
- Waves into the groinPoints to a kidney stone.
When is right-side abdominal pain an emergency?
Get emergency care for right-side pain that is severe or steadily worsening, pain that moved from the belly button to the lower right, pain with fever, persistent vomiting, a rigid belly, yellow skin or eyes, blood in the urine with severe pain, fainting, or sudden one-sided pelvic pain in women, especially during pregnancy or with a missed period.
Go to the emergency room for
- Severe or worsening lower right pain
- Fever, vomiting or a hard, tender belly
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Severe side pain with blood in the urine
- Sudden pelvic pain in pregnancy or with a missed period
Tip: Try the cough test carefully
If coughing or a gentle hop makes lower right pain much worse, tell the doctor. Pain that sharpens with movement is a classic sign of irritation inside the abdomen.
How is right-side abdominal pain diagnosed?
Diagnosis combines your history and an abdominal exam with tests matched to the area: blood and urine tests, a pregnancy test when relevant, an abdominal or pelvic ultrasound for the gallbladder, liver and ovaries, a CT scan for appendicitis or kidney stones, and colonoscopy for recurring lower right pain with bowel changes that may suggest Crohn’s disease.
See abdominal pain by location and when stomach pain is serious.
Get answers instead of guessing
Request a visit with Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan at our Katy and Cypress offices. Most major insurance plans are accepted and self-pay options are available.
Key takeaways
- Right-side abdominal pain can come from the gallbladder, liver, appendix, colon, kidney or ovary.
- Upper right pain after fatty meals suggests gallstones.
- Pain moving from the belly button to the lower right suggests appendicitis, an emergency.
- Waves of side pain into the groin suggest a kidney stone.
- Severe or worsening pain, fever or pain in pregnancy needs urgent care.
Frequently asked questions
What organs are on the right side of the abdomen?
The liver, gallbladder, part of the small intestine, the appendix, the right side of the colon, the right kidney and, in women, the right ovary.
Can gas cause right-side pain?
Yes, gas trapped in the colon can cause crampy right-side pain that eases after passing gas. Persistent or severe pain needs evaluation.
When should I worry about lower right abdominal pain?
Worry if it is severe, getting worse, sharp with movement, or comes with fever, vomiting or loss of appetite, which can signal appendicitis.
Can constipation cause right-side pain?
Yes. Stool and gas building up in the right colon can cause discomfort on the right side.
Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist in Katy or Cypress?
It depends on your insurance plan. Many PPO plans let you book a specialist directly, while some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor. Call (346) 340-4414 and the team can help you check.
Sources
- MedlinePlus — Abdominal pain
- NIDDK — Gallstones
- NIDDK — Crohn’s disease
- MedlinePlus — Gallbladder diseases
- American College of Gastroenterology — Patient resources
Where to be seen in Katy and Cypress
United Gastroenterology Associates has two offices: Katy, at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, next to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, and Cypress, at 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, on US-290. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:30 PM, and serve patients from Fulshear, Richmond and across Greater Houston. Call (346) 340-4414 for either office.
Katy office
23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555
Katy, TX 77494
Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza 1
Next steps
If you are dealing with right-side abdominal pain or any ongoing digestive concern, a focused evaluation can find the cause and start the right treatment. Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan and the team at United Gastroenterology Associates see adults from Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond, Greater Houston and across Texas. Call (346) 340-4414 or request an appointment today.
If you have severe pain, vomit blood, pass black stools or have chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
