Gas pain on right side of body

Right side abdominal (tummy) pain is often nothing to worry about, but as some of these conditions may need medical attention, it’s important to know what’s causing it.

Stomach pain on the right side could be coming from your digestive tract or your stomach, but it may also be related to other organs in this area: your small and large intestine, right kidney, liver or appendix.

Several different conditions can cause discomfort in this part of the body, but understanding the differences between them and which organs they affect, could help you pinpoint the cause.

Digestive problems

Digestive problems such as

,

or food poisoning can cause pain in the right side of your abdomen.

Chronic bowel conditions like

(IBS) and

(IBD) can also cause pain in the right side of your abdomen.

If you’re not sure if your bowels or digestive system are causing you pain, ask yourself the following questions:

• does the pain feel crampy or come and go in waves?
• do I feel bloated or sick?
• do I find it hard to poo? (constipation)
• do I have heartburn or acid reflux?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, your pain may be linked to a digestive problem.

Chronic or long-term digestive problems need to be treated by a doctor, but common conditions like gastroenteritis or constipation can be treated at home.

Try to drink plenty of fluids and take painkillers if you need help to manage the pain. If you have constipation or

, it may help to make small changes to your diet and lifestyle, such as eating high-fibre foods, drinking plenty of fluids or going for a daily walk.

Note: You should always visit a doctor if the pain won't settle or you’re worried about your symptoms. Also go straight to a doctor if:

• there’s blood in your poo
• you’ve lost a lot of weight without trying to
• your symptoms are getting worse
• you’re struggling to swallow

Kidney conditions

Pain from the kidney tends to be a dull, aching pain, but some kidney conditions can cause intense stabbing pain. You may feel like the pain starts at the back of your abdomen, or that it comes and goes.

Conditions that affect your kidneys include

,

and kidney cancers.

If you have a kidney infection, you may feel pain along your urinary tract (towards the bottom right corner of your abdomen) and it’s not unusual for kidney pain to get worse when you pee.

If you think your kidneys may be causing the pain, ask yourself the following questions:

• do I have a high temperature (fever)?
• do I feel shivery?
• is there blood in my pee?
• do I have symptoms that are normally associated with a ?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, see a doctor.

Kidney stones and infections can cause long-term damage to your kidneys, so it’s important to treat them quickly.

Liver conditions

Any condition that causes your liver to become inflamed or swollen can cause dull, aching or stabbing pain towards the right side of your abdomen.

This includes liver infections like hepatitis A or B, liver cancer or an abscess. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic

can also cause liver pain, but most types of liver disease don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages.

See a doctor if you think your liver may be causing the pain.

Conditions like hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease can be treated, but it’s important to act fast because they can permanently scar your liver if left untreated.

Appendicitis

The appendix is a small organ located in the bottom-right corner of your abdomen. If your appendix gets inflamed or swollen (

), it can cause sudden, sharp or stabbing pain that gets worse when you move around or cough.

Other symptoms include constipation or diarrhoea, loss of appetite and nausea.

Untreated appendicitis can be life-threatening. You should seek medical help immediately if the pain in your abdomen:

• gets slowly worse
• gets worse suddenly and spreads across your tummy
• gets a little better before getting worse again (this may be a sign that your appendix has burst)

Maybe it started off small. Maybe it suddenly came out of nowhere. Whatever it is, you’re having pain in your side. But why? Where did it come from? And should you be worried?

We’re all familiar with pain from stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle, but internal pain is a bit more disconcerting since it’s often tricky to pick out the cause. Pain is your body’s way of sounding the alarm. When you feel pain, your body is trying to tell you to take it easy — something is wrong.

“Pain in your side or in your abdomen is a common complaint, and it’s a common reason for people to visit the emergency room,” explains Dr. Matthew Souder, a general surgeon at Geisinger. “If you’re experiencing pain in your side, keep track of the pain and see what aggravates it. Does it hurt more when you stand or sit? When you breathe in or breathe out? Does it always hurt the same amount or is it off and on? If you notice the pain is severe or interrupting your ability to go about your day — get medical attention. Even if it isn’t anything dangerous, it’s still better to be sure.”

Importantly, if you notice you’re having severe pain, fever, swelling and tenderness of the abdomen, bloody stools, yellowing of the skin or persistent nausea and vomiting, see a doctor immediately.

Here are a few things that may be causing that pain in your side.

Gas and constipation

The most common reason for the pain in your side is what you ate or drank.

Gas or constipation is usually the biggest false alarm when it comes to abdominal and side pain. Each can cause fairly severe pain, but they usually aren’t harmful. Normally, gas and constipation pains can be identified by their inconsistency: the pain may come and go, and it will change depending on how you’re sitting or standing. Gas and constipation pain should subside within an hour or shortly after a bowel movement.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common condition that affects the large intestine by causing spasms.

“Cases of IBS can range anywhere from mild to severe, and it often runs in families,” notes Dr. Souder. “Factors like food, stress and hormones can trigger IBS, causing symptoms like cramps, pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation.”

If you’re experiencing IBS symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can diagnose whether you do have IBS and prescribe medication if necessary.

Stones

Stones aren’t just something you find outside — they may show up in your kidneys or your gallbladder, too.

Kidney stones are deposits of salt and minerals that can form and harden in your kidneys. Gallstones are deposits made from cholesterol and bile.

“Kidney stones and gallstones can cause excruciating pain,” says Dr. Sounder. “Kidney stones may be passed naturally, but in more severe cases, they may require surgery. Talk to your doctor if you experience severe, radiating pain that lasts for more than a day.”

Appendicitis

“One of the most serious reasons for abdominal pain is appendicitis,” adds Dr. Souder. “Appendicitis, or an infection of the appendix, can be a life-threatening condition. Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency, and surgery is required to remove the appendix.”

If you notice pain (especially on your right side), fever, vomiting and loss of appetite, get emergency medical attention.

Next steps:

• Meet Matthew Souder, MD
• Learn about general surgery services
• What are the signs of a hernia?
• Here’s when to see your doctor about hemorrhoids
  

Can trapped gas cause pain in right side?

What does trapped gas on right side feel like?

Can gas cause pain in right side and back?

Can you have gas on one side of your body?