Basics of anatomy
From the school course of this discipline, we all know that a person has a lower right abdomen. Our torso can be roughly divided into two anatomical regions - the abdomen and the chest. The latter, in turn, occupies both the right and left sides of the torso. In the chest cavity, which is delimited from the muscles and skeleton by the pleura, there are lungs. Externally, they are protected by intercostal muscles. On the right side of the sternum is the right lung. Diseases of this trilobed organ, surrounded by neurovascular bundles, often cause discomfort in the right side of the chest.
Now let's move on to what is on the right side of the stomach. This part of the body can be divided into nine zones:
- right and left hypochondrium;
- right and left flanks of the abdomen;
- right and left iliac sectors;
- epigastric region;
- periumbilical zone;
- suprapubic area.
On the right side of the body are the internal organs of the digestive, excretory, and endocrine systems:
- the right lobe of the liver and a segment of its left lobe;
- gallbladder with biliary tract;
- adrenal gland, the upper part of the right kidney.
If you look at what is in a person’s right lower abdomen, or rather, from the right flank, then here you can only find the ascending colon and the lower part of the right kidney. The iliac region differs in both sexes. In addition to the ileum and cecum with the appendix, there is something else located on the lower right side of the abdomen in women - the fallopian tube and ovary. The internal organs located in the middle part of the abdominal cavity are the same in both sexes. Individual differences, depending on age, weight, diseases, have internal organs that are located in the middle of the abdomen, on the right:
- sector of transition of the stomach to the duodenum;
- the duodenum itself;
- pancreas;
- bladder;
- small intestine.
In which organs can pain occur?
Pain sensations arising on the right side are in rare cases considered as a physiological phenomenon. Typically, the discomfort that appears indicates the development of serious pathologies.
From the liver
If a person has a painful focus in this organ, it means that he has developed inflammation, or mechanical damage to the organ has occurred:
- With the development of hepatitis, which has a viral etiology, pain occurs. Most often, people encounter pathology of group “A”. Group B hepatitis primarily affects people with drug addiction. After infection, this category of patients begins to actively spread the disease among their surroundings. Group C hepatitis is transmitted through blood, and infection often occurs in medical institutions.
- Long-term use of certain types of medications and toxic effects can provoke pain in the liver. In this case, patients are diagnosed with a “toxic form of hepatitis.”
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages leads to the development of the “alcoholic form of hepatitis.”
- Pain syndrome in the liver can develop against the background of heart failure, when the muscle of the organ stops pumping blood normally.
From the gallbladder
With the development of pathological processes in the bladder, pain occurs in the right side of the peritoneum. As a rule, this problem is faced by people who have stagnant processes in their organs or have stones. Infectious lesions and mechanical damage should also be considered as causes of discomfort.
From the pancreas
If a person begins to be bothered by this gland, then most likely he will develop pancreatitis. As a rule, this problem is faced by people who have pathological processes in the gallbladder. Patients who drink alcoholic beverages excessively also suffer from pancreatitis. During attacks, severe pain appears, which is initially localized in the left hypochondrium, but over time begins to spread throughout the entire peritoneum, including the right side.
From the kidneys
One of the two kidneys is located on the right side of a person. Pain occurs if:
- infection of this organ;
- an abscess has occurred;
- stones formed.
People experience severe pain when stones move through the ureter. To alleviate their condition, they are forced to constantly change their body position.
From the intestines
In most cases, pain in this organ develops due to an infectious lesion.
The following factors can also provoke a pathological condition:
- helminthic infestations;
- ulcerative lesions;
- intestinal dysbiosis, etc.
From the reproductive system
A disrupted tubal pregnancy can provoke pain in the right side of the peritoneum. In this case, patients experience unbearable suffering, as they experience bleeding and this condition poses a real threat to life. Pain syndrome also appears with the development of tumors and cysts on the ovary. When a cyst bursts, pain can radiate throughout the right side of the peritoneum.
To prevent the occurrence of pathologies, people should undergo regular examinations, lead a healthy lifestyle and promptly treat chronic diseases.
What does abdominal pain mean?
Painful sensations in the side can have varying degrees of intensity. If this symptom appears, you cannot prescribe treatment yourself - this is the easiest way to let the situation take its course and aggravate the problem. At the first alarming symptoms, you should consult a doctor. There is no need to make assumptions about what is on the right side below the abdomen and which organ hurts. If severe pain, colic or burning is felt for more than 6 hours in a row, you should consult a doctor or call an ambulance as soon as possible.
The causes of pain can be different: from an eating disorder to inflammation of the appendix, circulatory disorders, bleeding and necrotic processes. If the intestinal tract malfunctions, it may become completely or partially blocked, which in severe cases can be fatal. In any situation, there is no need to endure pain; you must seek medical help.
What can hurt on the right side? What's on the right side
If you regularly experience heaviness or pain on the right side of your abdomen, you should definitely consider visiting a doctor. Discomfort of this kind may indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body.
What can hurt on the right side? Depending on the totality of symptoms, this could be the liver, gall bladder, appendicitis, abdominal hernia, etc. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after receiving the results of all the necessary tests.
After reading the article, you will learn what can hurt on the right side and what treatment options exist for these pathologies.
Diseases of the stomach and duodenum
The human body is designed in such a way that pain in one organ can radiate through nerve endings to a neighboring area. This phenomenon is typical for kidney and intestinal diseases.
In addition, with pathology, for example, the stomach, pain can radiate to the left or right side of the epigastric region.
Why does my stomach hurt on the right side? Quite often, this condition can be triggered by the presence of the following diseases of the stomach and duodenum:
- gastritis;
- irritable bowel syndrome;
- ulcer;
- gastroenteritis;
- duodenitis;
- stenosis;
- colitis.
Let's take a closer look at each of these diseases and the symptoms characteristic of them.
- If the right side hurts when inhaling, and the patient also suffers from increased gas formation and bloating, then most likely the patient has irritable bowel syndrome. This condition requires taking carminative drugs - Espumisan, activated carbon, etc. It is also very important to normalize the diet, avoid eating baked goods, grapes, and fatty foods.
- Colitis of the duodenum often leads to pain on the right side of the peritoneum. Part of the duodenum is located just to the right. If this condition is left untreated, peptic ulcers can develop, which can lead to internal bleeding and death. If you suspect colitis, be sure to consult a gastroenterologist.
- Gastritis can be localized in different parts of the stomach. If gastritis has developed on the right side of the mucosa, then the pain, accordingly, will bother you on the right. However, the further the pathological process progresses, the more the location of the pain will change. It will bother the patient now to the left, now to the right - but always in the epigastric region. The pain will intensify if the person is hungry or has eaten foods high in acids, such as citrus fruits or some kind of hot sauce.
- A peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum makes itself felt by the presence of aching pain on the right side of the epigastric region, as well as in the center - in the solar plexus. Peptic ulcer disease can also be accompanied by acute pain. Much depends on the size of the ulcer and the fact how far the process has progressed. If there is a suspicion of a peptic ulcer, the patient should consult a gastroenterologist as soon as possible, switch to nutritional therapy, and stop drinking alcoholic beverages.
Liver diseases as a cause of discomfort in the right side
Often people, having begun to experience heaviness or pain in the abdomen on the right, begin to wonder: what is in the right side, what organs? Well, if we start from this formulation of the question, then the first suspicion falls on the liver.
It is the liver that occupies most of the right hypochondrium of a person. What is in the right side, besides the liver? Also on this side the gallbladder is rhapsolized.
These two organs - the liver and the gallbladder - are closely interconnected, and if the functioning of one is impaired, the functioning of the other develops.
Liver pathologies, as a rule, do not cause pain, they only cause a feeling of discomfort. There are no nerve endings in the liver, but in some diseases this organ increases in size and puts pressure on the peritoneum. The liver can hurt only in the later stages of cirrhosis or with oncology.
Problems with this organ are indicated by pathologies such as fibrosis, toxic hepatitis, viral hepatitis, and the presence of hemangiomas. However, much depends on the individual health status of the patient. Even at fairly advanced stages of hepatitis, the liver may not hurt or increase in size.
Therefore, for diagnosis it is very important to take the necessary tests - at least a biochemical blood test.
Reasons why liver diseases develop:
- hereditary predisposition;
- alcohol abuse;
- poor nutrition (abundance of fats in the diet);
- obesity and lipid metabolism disorders;
- infection with the hepatitis virus;
- inflammation in organ cells.
Treatment methods for liver diseases
The main condition for the restoration of liver cells is abstinence from drinking alcohol in any amount, even the smallest, as well as a special diet. Medical table No. 5 was specially designed to reduce the load on the liver and gallbladder.
This diet involves limiting the amount of fat you eat. It is forbidden to eat fatty meat, fresh baked goods, egg yolks, muffins, pastries, and sweets rich in fat. Almost all seafood and fatty fish are also prohibited.
In general, the diet is quite simple and does not require the patient to fast.
As a rule, many patients find it difficult to stop drinking alcohol. But this is a necessary step if you want a healthy liver. Alcohol causes intoxication of the body. If you continue to drink, even taking hepatoprotectors will not help improve your liver condition.
Against the background of changing diet and giving up bad habits, the patient should take hepatoprotectors (special drugs that promote the restoration of liver cells):
- "Essentiale".
- "Karsil".
- "Heptral".
- "Liv-52".
- "Legalon".
The attending physician makes a conclusion about the advisability of taking a particular drug and the required duration of therapy. Some patients only need a therapeutic diet, while others cannot do without taking hepatoprotectors.
Pathologies of gallbladder functioning
What is on the right side besides the liver? The gallbladder is a small organ that few patients think about.
Meanwhile, the gallbladder reacts even more strongly than the liver to poor nutrition and alcohol abuse, and therefore the production of bile is disrupted. If you think that there may be pain on the right side, then check your gallbladder with an ultrasound.
Also, pathologies in this organ are indicated by increased total bilirubin in a biochemical blood test, bitterness in the mouth in the morning (bile), vomiting mixed with bile.
A common pathology of the gall bladder that causes pain on the right is cholecystitis. It can be chronic or acute. In the first case, the pain is aching in nature. In the morning the patient suffers from a taste of bile in the mouth. If the disease is acute, the pain can be sharp and paroxysmal.
If you suspect a gallbladder pathology, you should consult a doctor and undergo an examination. Modern pharmacology helps even in advanced cases. For example, constant use of the drug "Ursosan" in some cases helps to dissolve gallstones without surgical intervention.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
If there is pain under the ribs on the right side, back and front, and the pain intensifies after eating food, then this may be a symptom of pancreatitis or even pancreatic necrosis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The main part of this organ is located in the left region of the peritoneum. However, the pain spreads along the nerve endings to the right side.
If you suspect pancreatitis, you should contact a gastroenterologist and have your suspicions checked. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you will have to change your diet and give up bad habits. If the production of enzymes is impaired, you will have to take enzyme preparations on an ongoing basis.
Suspicion of appendicitis: what to do?
If the patient observes symptoms such as rare unbearable pain on the right side of the peritoneum, which radiates to the left side, if there is no appetite and performance has sharply decreased, then this may be inflammation of the appendix.
Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment: this can be fraught with serious complications, including death.
If the patient suspects an inflammation of the appendix, an ambulance should be called. Most likely, the person needs urgent medical intervention.
If inflammation of the appendix is not confirmed, then you need to undergo a full examination of the body to identify the cause of pain in the right side of the peritoneum.
Abdominal form of myocardial infarction
The symptoms of this disease are easily confused with manifestations of pathologies in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of the abdominal form of a heart attack may vary depending on whether the course of the disease is complicated or uncomplicated. We can draw conclusions about the presence of the disease based on the following signs:
- severe pain in the epigastric region on the right side - an inexperienced person in medicine may think that it is the liver that hurts, but in this case the disease is completely different and the liver has nothing to do with it;
- over time, pain may migrate to the chest or, on the contrary, descend to the navel area;
- nausea, dyspepsia, bloating - all these symptoms are characteristic of the abdominal form of a heart attack;
- violation of adequate nutrition of the mesenteric vessels of the intestine, as a result of which the risk of thrombosis of the veins and arteries of the intestine increases (this condition is dangerous because it can lead to the development of peritonitis).
If such a combination of symptoms is present, be sure to consult a doctor as soon as possible. With an abdominal infarction, there is a high risk of internal bleeding, which can easily lead to death.
Kidney disease as a cause of discomfort on the right side of the peritoneum
What can hurt on the right side of the lower back? If the pain is located in the lumbar region, then we can talk about inflammation of the kidneys. If your side hurts on the right side of your back, then also pay attention to the presence of the following symptoms:
- temperature increase;
- decrease in the volume of urine excreted;
- weakness and nausea;
- decreased performance;
- change in the color of urine excreted;
- pale skin.
If all these symptoms are present, then most likely the person has unilateral pyelonephritis. The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance that the disease will not become chronic and will not lead to the development of renal failure.
If the lower abdomen hurts on the right side, and urine flow is impaired, then we may be talking about cystitis. This is an inflammation of the bladder, which if left untreated will lead to inflammation of the kidneys. You should definitely contact a therapist or nephrologist to prescribe treatment.
Abdominal muscle strain
Why does the right side of my back hurt? Do you remember if you have lifted any weights recently? Stretching the muscle of the abdominal wall in front or behind often causes pain of a pulling and excruciating nature. Sprains can occur as a result of sudden heavy lifting, injuries, and jumping from heights.
To get rid of this kind of pain, you should use painkillers. But even in the absence of treatment, as a rule, the pain goes away on the third to fifth day. The main thing is to maintain bed rest and no longer lift heavy objects.
Ovarian cysts as a cause of pain and discomfort
If a woman has pain on the right side of her abdomen, then it makes sense to see a gynecologist. Perhaps this pain is a signal that ovarian cysts have developed on one or both sides. This condition can lead to hormonal imbalance, and in the long term even to infertility. Everything in the body is interconnected, so the disease should not be left to chance.
The presence of ovarian cysts can also be signaled by the fact that the side hurts on the right side of the back. The growth of cysts may be accompanied by chronic pyelonephritis, in which case there will be pain both from the abdomen and from the back on the right side.
Chest and rib injuries
Why do my ribs hurt on the right side? Remember if you have fallen in recent days? Were there chest injuries? Typically, pain in the ribs indicates fractures or cracks in the bone tissue.
If there have been no injuries in recent days, then the cause of pain may be intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, osteoporosis. Without a doctor's examination and examination, a diagnosis cannot be made.
There are many reasons why the ribs on the right may hurt. Most often, the cause turns out to be a rib fracture or a crack in the bone tissue.
In this case, the patient is advised to rest completely and take medications that accelerate fusion.
Source: https://labuda.blog/247464
If the pain is at the top
What is in the stomach of the person on the right? Unpleasant sensations under the ribs can occur for the following reasons:
- consequences of injuries and bruises of internal organs;
- chronic diseases of the liver, abdominal organs;
- pathologies of the nervous system;
- bone tumors;
- stretching the abdominal muscles.
Judging by patient reviews, the most severe pain occurs when the normal functioning of the gallbladder is disrupted. Suffering and torment are caused by cholelithiasis and inflammation of the biliary tract, which often occur with complications. Acute or chronic cholecystitis causes many problems.
Here, in the upper quadrant of the abdomen, the pancreas can irradiate. Pancreatitis can be confused with gastritis, duodenal ulcer and cholecystitis, since all these pathologies are characterized by pain in the upper abdominal cavity, under the rib on the right. We will find out later what is in the lower abdomen of men and women, but for now we will deal with other symptoms of the listed pathologies.
What can hurt on the right?
In most patients, when the right side hurts, they think about liver disease or an appendiceal attack. But these are not the only causes of pain on the right.
What is in this place in a person?
When figuring out why it hurts, you need to look at what is in a person’s right side:
- gallbladder;
- liver;
- part of the small intestine;
- cecum;
- appendicitis.
In women, the ovary and fallopian tube are located in the lower abdomen.
In addition to internal organs, muscles, tendons, nerve processes and blood vessels can also hurt.
Why does it hurt?
There are many reasons why the right side hurts. Conventionally, they can be divided into groups:
- Functional disorders caused by poor nutrition. The appearance or increase in pain is associated with food intake.
- Infectious and non-infectious inflammation of organs, muscles or blood vessels.
- A metabolic disorder that causes stone formation in the liver or gall bladder. It begins to hurt when the formed calculus, moving, irritates the mucous membrane of the organ or disrupts the outflow of physiological fluid (bile).
- Insufficient blood supply. A decrease in blood flow due to vascular spasm or the formation of an intravascular thrombus provokes tissue ischemia, which impairs the proper functioning of the organ.
When trying to independently identify the causes of pain, you need to analyze not only the characteristics of the pain syndrome in the right side, but also the accompanying symptoms. Connection with food or breathing, localization and some other signs.
After meal
If it hurts after eating, the cause is almost always diseases of the digestive system:
- gastritis;
- ulcers in the stomach and intestines;
- cholecystitis;
- malignant neoplasms;
- irritable bowel syndrome.
Pain in the right side after eating is almost always accompanied by dyspepsia.
The right side can also get sick due to abnormalities in the pancreas. The pain is localized in the epigastrium and radiates to the right.
Cholecystitis
After alcohol
The right side may hurt after drinking alcohol if you have drunk large doses of alcohol or consumed low-quality drinks.
This is due to the fact that the blood is cleansed of toxic ethyl compounds by the liver cells, and the increased load on the organ causes pain in the right hypochondrium.
If you constantly have pain in your right side after drinking alcohol, then you should suspect:
- abnormalities in the functioning of the pancreas;
- liver diseases;
- cholecystitis or cholelithiasis.
Ethyl alcohol irritates the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, so the right side periodically hurts after drinking alcohol in people with a history of gastritis, peptic ulcers or intestinal pathologies.
When inhaling
Pain in the right side when inhaling is one of the common complaints. The occurrence of a symptom is provoked by:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. When you inhale, the diaphragm moves slightly downward and the pressure on nearby organs (gallbladder, liver) increases. In diseases of the digestive system, inhaling air increases pain discomfort. In addition to pain, decreased appetite and dyspepsia are noted.
- Neurological pathologies. Right-sided nerve pinching in diseases of the spine provokes pain that intensifies when inhaling air.
Pain when inhaling in the right side occurs with an atypical form of heart attack. Painful sensations radiate to the shoulder, jaw or arm, and intensify when trying to take a deep breath. Taking Nitroglycerin provides minor relief in the condition that has arisen, and traditional painkillers and antispasmodics do not help. In case of a heart attack, emergency medical attention is required.
If you feel sick and are accompanied by a bitter taste in your mouth
These symptoms occur when bile enters the stomach and then into the esophagus. When your side hurts and you feel nauseous, and there is an unpleasant bitter taste in your mouth, you should suspect:
- cholecystitis;
- chronic liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis).
In these conditions, the right side constantly hurts, and bitterness in the mouth occurs in the morning or after prolonged abstinence from food.
If pain in the right side appears frequently or does not disappear for a long time, this indicates abnormalities in the functioning of the organs. The resulting condition requires additional diagnostics to clarify the nature of the emerging disorders.
How to understand whether it is cholecystitis or cholelithiasis?
With cholecystitis, the presence of constant bitterness in the mouth is added to the pain syndrome. The patient may experience high body temperature, nausea, and sometimes even vomiting. Many people mistakenly attribute another symptom to this disease – yellowness of the skin. Chronic cholecystitis does not affect the condition of the skin and does not change the color of the epidermis. But if the disease occurs in an acute form, minor changes in the skin are still possible.
If the disease is chronic, a relapse triggers another inflammatory process. The disease is difficult for patients to endure, since the pain is felt not only in the upper abdomen, but also radiates to the lower abdomen.
What is located on the right under the ribs is known to everyone - this is the liver and gall bladder. By the way, the symptoms of cholelithiasis are easy to distinguish from the clinical manifestations of cholecystitis. But without a preliminary examination, no doctor will undertake a diagnosis. At the early stage of cholecystitis, the patient experiences periodic pain attacks, which become more frequent over time. The pain becomes excruciating and stable, intra-abdominal pressure increases, so a simple cough or sneeze causes sudden and unbearable pain. Without proper treatment, the disease progresses, the pain intensifies even with deep exhalation and inhalation.
Gallstone disease can occur without any symptoms at all. However, the latent development of the disease is its main danger. Stones can remain in the gallbladder for many years, which the patient may not even be aware of. Most often, they are discovered accidentally during a preventive ultrasound or other type of examination, for which the patient was referred for another reason. What is on the right side of the abdomen and causes pain, the doctor will draw a conclusion based on the diagnostic results. At an advanced stage, cholelithiasis is accompanied by stabbing and unbearable pain, often radiating to the limbs, scapula, heart, and lower back.
Anatomy on the right side of the body
On the right side of a person are the liver, gallbladder, right part of the diaphragm, pancreas, right kidney, part of the intestines and appendix.
The main task of the liver is to filter blood, produce bile and participate in metabolism. This organ constantly synthesizes enzymes and other compounds necessary for the human body.
The gallbladder, which is located in the lower part of the liver, accumulates bitter greenish bile, which is involved in the digestion process.
The location of the diaphragm is between the chest and abdominal cavity. Its main function is to increase the volume of the chest, which inhales when the diaphragm contracts. The pancreas, located in the abdomen from right to left, produces enzymes, juices and insulin.
The kidneys are responsible for processing fluids in the body and removing toxins from it. The intestines digest foods and absorb water and nutrients. The appendix does not have any vital function and is a vestigial extension of the cecum.
Inflammation of Vater's nipple
What is located on the right side of the stomach, under the rib? The nipple of Vater is the junction of the biliary tract and the duodenum. If it becomes swollen or inflamed, the person experiences pain and vomits repeatedly.
This pathology is not as common as cholecystitis or cholelithiasis, but it is accompanied by the same severe suffering. During an attack, which can be compared to torture, a person tries to find a comfortable position to at least slightly reduce the pain, and is ready to do anything to make the torment stop. The tumor can be benign or malignant, but it is not the tumor itself that causes pain, but inflammation of the bile ducts, which is called cholangitis.
The symptom occurs in the upper part, but can also radiate to the right of the navel in the abdomen. What is in this zone is clear to everyone - it is the small and large intestines, but in fact it is not what worries us. In addition to pain, patients' body temperature rises, chills occur, and the skin and sclera become yellowish.
What organs are on the right side of a person?
It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, holding their right side, “Oh, it’s probably a bad liver.” Such a statement rarely turns out to be true, since it is the liver that cannot hurt: there are no nerve endings in this organ. However, it is surrounded by Glisson's capsule. When the liver enlarges as a result of painful processes occurring in it, it puts pressure on the capsule, which causes pain. There are also many other organs on the side to the right, and each of them can produce painful symptoms.
Let's look at the right hypochondrium - what is in this place:
- Right section of the diaphragm
- Upper intestines
All these organs are located on the side in front. Each of them can give off discomfort, dull and sharp, stabbing and encircling pain in the right hypochondrium in front. But even this is not an exhaustive list.
Pain may radiate to the right with:
- Rib fractures
- Gastritis and stomach ulcers
- Inflammatory processes occurring in the intestines
- Osteochondrosis
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Appendicitis
- Right-sided pneumonia or pleurisy
- Various types of oncological processes
Let's talk about the liver
It is important to know where a person’s liver is located, although it cannot become a source of pain. By enlarging due to the pathological processes occurring in it, the liver can put pressure on neighboring organs, causing a noticeable feeling of discomfort. If in your youth you can be forgiven for wondering whether the liver is on the left or the right, then at an older age it will make itself felt with a feeling of heaviness after a heavy or fatty meal.
A few more signs that the liver is the culprit of the problem:
- Dry and itchy skin, especially the palms
- Yellowing of the skin, cornea of the eyes, mucous membranes in the mouth
If such symptoms appear, you don’t have to think about where the liver is, but feel free to take a ticket to a hepatologist or, in extreme cases, a gastroenterologist.
Liver disease usually extends directly under the ribs. However, on the lower surface of the organ there are so-called gates. At the porta hepatis there are the hepatic artery, portal vein, common hepatic duct, lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Problems can also arise here - thrombosis, cysts, inflammation of the lymph nodes. All these pathologies are easily detected by ultrasound.
Can the appendix under the ribs hurt?
Everyone knows in which direction a person’s appendicitis is located, and they begin to remember it if the localization of pain is located deep in the lower right abdomen or around the navel. However, not all so simple. As pain develops, it may well radiate to the liver area. In addition, in 17% of people the appendix may be located atypically. If the process of the cecum is turned upward, then the pain will radiate precisely under the right rib in front.
Gallbladder problems
Cholecystitis is the most common pathology of the gallbladder. Inflammation of the gallbladder occurs in both children and adults. It is characterized by: prolonged pain after eating fatty foods, nausea, fever. Cholecystitis is perhaps the most common cause of pain in this area. As the disease progresses, stones may form in the gall bladder, obstructing the release of bile. With further development of gallstone disease, pain in this area will increase, and the pain may begin to radiate to the upper abdomen and sternum.
The root of the problem is in the pancreas
Inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. The incidence of pancreatitis in children is 9-12 cases per 100,000, and in adults – up to 50 cases per 100,000 people. Pancreatitis is a disease of poor nutrition. Indulgence in fast food, fatty foods, and sweets can cause its development. The disease also develops rapidly in those who abuse alcohol. Pain with pancreatitis can occur in the right hypochondrium or on the right at waist level, spread to the middle of the abdomen, be localized to the left of the navel, and even shoot under the shoulder blade.
Can the diaphragm hurt?
When thinking about what organ is located under the right rib, few people remember the diaphragm. Meanwhile, this is a very important organ that stimulates the breathing process. The diaphragm may hurt due to physiological reasons during pregnancy, a hernia may form in it, and an abscess may begin. Diaphragmatic pain can be similar to gastroenterological pain. Diseases of the diaphragm manifest themselves in severity in the epigastric region, under the ribs. Symptoms may increase after eating and may be aggravated by vomiting. In addition, breathing becomes more difficult, heart rhythm is disturbed, and shortness of breath occurs when lying down.
The right kidney is the source of pain in the right hypochondrium
We looked at which organ is located under the right rib in the front, but we must not forget about the organs located below and behind. Pain in them can also radiate to the right side and right hypochondrium. Kidney diseases are diagnosed after tests for OAM, etc. The most common are pyelonephritis, kidney stones, and renal failure. More often, with kidney disease, the lower back hurts or the pain goes lower.
However, pain in the right hypochondrium may be accompanied by the following symptoms characteristic of kidney disease:
- Swelling in the morning
- Problems with urination
- Low-grade fever
- Weakness and loss of appetite
Biliary dyskinesia and colic
This is another cause of right-sided pain. The duration of attacks and sensations are individual, depending on the type of disease. If dyskinesia develops according to the hypertensive type, the pain is concentrated in the liver area. Most often, patients complain of cutting, debilitating pain. With hypokinetic dyskinesia, there may not be any painful sensations at all, but often the disease manifests itself as aching, cramping attacks against a background of general malaise and weakness.
Patients often mistakenly mistake this symptom for hepatic or biliary colic, which are also localized on the right, but are more severe and unbearable. Increased heart rate, heart failure, anxiety, and panic are possible. Such signs also precede myocardial infarction, so if they appear, you should urgently call an ambulance. Regardless of which organ hurts from those located on the right side of the abdomen in men and women, it is especially important to exclude a pre-infarction condition. The patient needs to describe his state of health as accurately as possible in order to prevent the possibility of a medical error - it could cost the patient’s life. A simple way to determine the cause of pain is to do an ECG.
So what is located under the left rib of a person
- Spleen.
- Stomach.
- Heart.
- Pancreas.
- Nervous system.
- Diaphragm.
- Endocrine system.
So, if the question arises, what if there is pain in the front under the left rib, then as you can see there can be many reasons. Let's try to look at some of them.
Spleen
The location of this organ very close to the surface of the body can cause problems with the spleen. Also, due to some health problems of the whole body, or some organs separately, the spleen may begin to enlarge, and this leads to pain. Larger sizes can also lead to rupture. To recognize a rupture, you need to pay attention to the skin around the navel; if it turns blue, then most likely the spleen has burst, and the blue color appears due to the blood that has collected in the abdominal cavity.
For what reasons can a rupture of this organ occur:
- Infection.
- Splenic infarction.
- Abdominal injury.
- Inflammation.
The spleen can hardly be called a vital organ, but its role in the body is not unimportant. And if problems happen to her, then the person will feel it quite strongly.
If you look at this organ in the photo, you will notice that this is the closest object in front of the left hypochondrium. And besides him, there are no other organs in this area.
The spleen acts as a filter in the hematopoietic system. It also takes an active part in the body’s metabolism.
Stomach
This organ is located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity, and an impressive part of the stomach is located just to the left of the spine. The function of the stomach in the body is very important, because problems with this organ can lead to very unpleasant consequences. Digestion is a very important process in the body.
If you feel aching pain on the left side under the ribs, you feel nauseous and vomiting. Then most likely your body is warning you about problems with your stomach health. It can be:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Gastritis.
- Neoplasm.
- Functional dyspepsia.
You can alleviate the pain of stomach disease with antacid medications; they reduce acidity in the stomach.
Heart
There is no need to talk about the important role the heart plays in our body. It is the heart, through its work, that provides us with life.
Heart anatomy is a very important section in science. This body is mentioned quite often by every person more than once every day, regardless of professional activity and gender.
The heart is located in the chest, most of this organ is in the left part of the chest, and not the majority is occupied by the right part.
The heart gets along well next to the lymph nodes, bronchi and trachea.
We must remember that the heart does not suddenly become ill; everything that leads to a subsequent myocardial infarction can accumulate over the years. Therefore, it is imperative to pay attention to symptoms that may initially indicate other diseases, but sometimes the first impression can be deceiving:
- Weakness and pallor.
- Cough.
- Temperature increase.
- Pressure.
- Swelling.
- Dizziness and motion sickness in transport.
- Dyspnea.
- Pain that may remind you of osteochondrosis.
- Chest pain.
- Palpitations.
All these symptoms can signal diseases of the heart muscle. Be sure to visit a specialist in order to accurately find out the reason for the origin of all of the above. After all, sometimes a correct diagnosis in the early stages and timely prevention will not only help avoid the progression of the disease, but sometimes even save your life.
Myocardial infarction is translated as death of the heart. Statistics show that a larger percentage of deaths occur due to heart-related diseases. Therefore, you must always remember that a heart attack can catch you suddenly, especially the favorite time of a heart attack is morning.
Therefore, if you feel even the slightest symptoms described below, immediately call an ambulance.
- Severe pain in the back, which radiates to the left shoulder, arm, neck and is also felt towards the shoulder blades.
- Attacks of anxiety and fear.
- Nitroglycerin does not help relieve pain.
- Seizures bother you from a few minutes to a large amount of time.
Before medical help arrives, you can drink nitroglycerin tablets no more than three times with an interval of fifteen minutes. You can also chew aspirin tablets.
In order for your heart to serve you for a long time and not present surprises, it is better to take care of this in advance. This will help you:
- Proper nutrition.
- Active lifestyle.
- Protecting yourself from worries and stress.
- Learns to be positive.
- Annual visit to the doctor and undergoing diagnostics.
- No bad habits.
Injuries and damage
We are talking about mechanical damage to internal organs in this part. For example, a rib fracture or bruise can also cause discomfort in the upper segment and right lower abdomen. We have already found out what is in this area. In a fall from a height, a collision during an accident, or other traumatic circumstances, the liver, kidneys, and bladder are most often affected. The pain intensifies with coughing, sneezing, and sudden movements. Patients with bruises of internal organs require emergency surgical treatment. Before surgery, the patient is referred for an ultrasound, x-ray or MRI.
Shingles
The causative agent of this disease is the herpes virus. Symptoms of herpes zoster are in many ways similar to those of complicated pancreatitis. At the initial stage, the disease brings discomfort on the left side, but sometimes the pain is localized on the right, they are constant and have a strong piercing character. Just like with pancreatitis, with herpes zoster there is nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dyspeptic disorders make diagnosis difficult. Only when a characteristic herpetiform rash appears on the stomach does everything become clear with the diagnosis. No specialist will confuse the blistering rashes located in a ribbon-like manner around the body. By the way, this is where the name of the disease comes from - herpes zoster.
Intestinal problems
What organ is located on the right, lower abdomen? Regardless of gender, the small intestine and the ascending colon are located in this part of the person, so pain in this part of the body can be caused by disruption of the intestinal tract. As a rule, cramps do not appear during meals. Patients describe their feelings as follows:
- the pain is quite strong, squeezing, squeezing;
- there is a urge to defecate, but it is not possible to empty the bowels;
- bloating bothers you;
- nausea appears after every meal;
- Periodic vomiting is possible.
Intestinal inflammation requires an integrated approach to treatment. Along with taking medications (antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, antibacterial, etc.), it is important to follow a diet. Without treatment, the patient's condition may worsen. The progression of the disease may be indicated by a stable decrease in body weight, the appearance of blood or mucous impurities in the excrement.
Appendicitis and Crohn's disease
What is located on the lower right side of the abdomen in men? By the way, in women this organ is located in the same place - this is the appendix. Its inflammation is accompanied by severe pain localized below. Despite the fact that this symptom is characteristic of many other pathologies, anyone can suspect appendicitis.
The disease occurs in acute form approximately according to the following scenario:
- First, the patient has pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen in the umbilical region. Naturally, such pain does not cause any particular concern, since it is perceived as a harmless intestinal spasm.
- After some time, the pain moves to the iliac region on the right side of the abdomen. It is located just above the inguinal fold.
Inflammation of the appendix is often accompanied by nausea and diarrhea. The possibility of an increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels, deterioration of appetite (up to complete loss) and vomiting cannot be ruled out. During a medical examination, the disease is recognized by palpation. There are several techniques that specialists use during examination of a patient:
- Simultaneous compression of the descending colon and the area located above leads to increased pain in the groin on the right. When pressing on the abdomen, gases from the colon enter the appendix area, which causes irritation of the inflamed appendix.
- In case of acute appendix, if you run a thin plate or fingertips along the front of the abdomen from the right lower rib towards the iliac region, the patient feels a sharp pain. The experiment is carried out on the body of a person wearing a shirt.
- If the patient has really worsened appendicitis, then when palpating the area of the ileum, he will feel a cutting pain and will reflexively raise his right leg. The patient is checked in a lying position.
Crohn's disease can also cause similar sensations in the lower abdomen. The pathology occurring as terminal ileitis is distinguished by the location of the epicenter of pain: in this case, it is located in the iliac region on the right. The sensations with Crohn's disease are in many ways similar to those experienced by patients with acute appendicitis. Without instrumental methods, it is almost impossible to diagnose and differentiate diseases that have similar symptoms. Therefore, a situation often arises when a patient ends up on the operating table due to an inflamed appendix, and subsequently, during the intervention, it turns out that everything is fine with it.
Pain in the right side: by nature, location and intensity
If you understand the symptoms, then in many emergency situations it is possible to save a person’s life and avoid complications in the future.
- Acute pain. Appears suddenly and intensely. It happens with liver diseases, as well as with stones in the biliary organs.
- Dull pain. It grows gradually and persists for a long time. Occurs with many negative processes in the abdominal cavity that are chronic.
- It's a dull pain. Without pronounced intensity, continuing constantly. Intestinal diseases such as inflammation in the intestines and gallbladder.
- Cramping. Periodically waxes and wanes. Occurs with intestinal spasms and periodic pain in women.
Based on the location where the right side hurts, several types can be distinguished:
- Pain under the right rib. The location of the liver, as well as the gallbladder.
- Back pain. Most likely, this is a manifestation of pleurisy or liver abscess.
- On the right side in front. At this location, various diseases are possible: appendicitis, diseases of the appendages and ovaries in women, inflammation of the cecum, the presence of an inguinal hernia.
Pain in the right side of the abdomen occurs in cases associated with:
- Negative processes in many internal organs.
- Injuries received.
- Disease of bones and muscles.
- Neurology.
Features of female physiology, pregnancy
What is on the right side of the stomach in women? Women's anatomy has significant differences from men's. The cause of pain in the right side of the abdomen can be caused by gynecological problems.
Discomfort sometimes also occurs in early pregnancy, during the period of implantation of the embryo into the uterine cavity. Unpleasant sensations can be caused by an enlarged uterus due to the development and growth of the fetus.
The pain occurs because the tissues and ligaments surrounding the uterus are stretched under the influence of progesterone and estrogen. This is a completely natural reaction of the body of a woman carrying a child. There is no need to wait for complications. If the pain has become constant in the right lower abdomen, the woman should urgently contact her obstetrician-gynecologist, as the pain may indicate a threat of miscarriage or an inflammatory process caused by an infection (for example, cystitis, vulvitis).
As a rule, the baby is on the right side of the mother's abdomen. To be more precise about its location (presentation), then in the last trimester of pregnancy it takes a stable position in which it will pass through the birth canal. Until the 32nd week, the baby does not occupy a static position in the womb. On the contrary, he turns over and spins all the time. In the last months of pregnancy, the baby seems to freeze and until birth only moves his limbs, unbends and turns his head to the sides. By the time of birth, the child is laid upside down, as if obeying the force of gravity. This type of fetal presentation is considered correct, since in this position it is easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal. The issue of correct presentation is especially acute on the eve of the approaching date of birth. If the baby is lying down not with his head, but with his pelvis, the mother may be prescribed a caesarean section.
How to diagnose the disease
If pain appears in the right side of the abdomen, you should visit a therapist as soon as possible. Even if the pain occurs periodically and is dull in nature, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Even a slight delay can complicate treatment in the future.
After examining and palpating the abdomen, the doctor will definitely ask certain questions that must be answered accurately. This will make it possible to make a preliminary diagnosis, on the basis of which additional examinations will be prescribed.
The specialist will be interested, first of all, in how long ago the pain began, whether it is present constantly or occurs periodically, and also how long it lasts. You will need to remember whether the pain occurs suddenly or intensifies gradually. It will also be important to characterize the pain sensations as accurately as possible - whether they are dull, bursting, cramping, cutting, sharp, etc.
If possible, factors that provoke pain in the right side, intensify or weaken them should be named. It will be necessary to indicate the location of the pain, as well as to which places the pain syndrome radiates, and what additional signs it is accompanied by.
At the initial stage of diagnosis, blood, stool and urine tests are required. According to their indicators, the presence of inflammatory processes is detected or rejected. To understand the condition of the abdominal organs, an ultrasound is performed. A plain radiograph may also be needed. If there is a suspicion that pain is associated with pathologies of the digestive system, an endoscopic examination of the stomach is performed and material is collected for a biopsy. In order to accurately diagnose pathologies of the genitourinary system, it is necessary to conduct additional urine tests according to Nechiporenko and bacteriological culture of discharge. In difficult situations, an MRI or computed tomography may be necessary. If there is any suspicion of rectal pathology, a colonoscopy is performed.
Diseases “female style”
What is located on the lower right side of the abdomen in women? Pain in this part of the body is most often caused by gynecological pathologies. Cutting, stabbing and cramping pain in the lower abdomen or under the pubis are characteristic disorders of the genitourinary system. Among complex pathologies, the most common reasons for contacting gynecologists are:
- salpingoophoritis - inflammation of the appendages;
- ovarian apoplexy;
- torsion of the pedicle of an ovarian cyst;
- development of the fertilized egg outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
These are serious and dangerous diseases for a woman’s health that cannot be ignored. In addition to constant pain on the right side of the lower abdomen, a characteristic feature of gynecological diseases is a change in the nature of female vaginal discharge. They may acquire a different color, consistency, or smell. In some cases, patients' body temperature rises. With delayed or illiterate treatment, such diseases can lead to bleeding, infertility, and pelvioperitonitis.
What could be the treatment?
Knowing what is on the right side of the abdomen, we can make an assumption about the cause of pain and discomfort in this area. Any unpleasant sensations are symptoms of pathological processes occurring in the body. Self-medication in this situation is unacceptable:
- Firstly, without a preliminary diagnosis, a person himself will not be able to determine what is hurting him, which means that the therapy he prescribes for himself will be incorrect.
- Secondly, the time when it is possible to cope with the disease at an early stage will be missed. In addition, complications may develop and your health may deteriorate. Only timely treatment will bring positive results and benefit the patient.
Depending on the diagnosis, doctors will select appropriate therapy. If there is an inflammatory process, you cannot do without antibiotics, analgesics and antispasmodics. When diagnosed with herpes zoster, antiherpetic and antiviral agents are used. If a benign tumor (cyst) is confirmed, surgical intervention is an appropriate treatment option; if a malignant neoplasm is detected, radiation and chemotherapy are the appropriate treatment options.
By the way, surgery is indicated for a number of diseases. Surgical care is often the only way to save the patient’s life. In some cases, the count is in days, and sometimes in hours and minutes. With diseases such as ectopic pregnancy, peritonitis, apoplexy, torsion of the pedicle of a cyst on the ovary, you cannot hesitate.
What is on a person’s right side – organs on the right side – Abdominal diseases
If you regularly experience heaviness or pain on the right side of your abdomen, you should definitely consider visiting a doctor. Discomfort of this kind may indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body.
What can hurt on the right side? Depending on the totality of symptoms, this could be the liver, gall bladder, appendicitis, abdominal hernia, etc. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis after receiving the results of all the necessary tests.
After reading the article, you will learn what can hurt on the right side and what treatment options exist for these pathologies.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
If there is pain under the ribs on the right side, back and front, and the pain intensifies after eating food, then this may be a symptom of pancreatitis or even pancreatic necrosis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The main part of this organ is located in the left region of the peritoneum. However, the pain spreads along the nerve endings to the right side.
If you suspect pancreatitis, you should contact a gastroenterologist and have your suspicions checked. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you will have to change your diet and give up bad habits. If the production of enzymes is impaired, you will have to take enzyme preparations on an ongoing basis.