The abdomen is the portion of your body between the rib cage and the pelvis and houses many different important organs and tissues. Pain in the abdomen can arise from dysfunction at any of these structures and can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. When the pain occurs more on the right than on the left, it narrows the possibilities and makes it easier to find the source of the pain. Abdominal pain happens to everyone at one point or another and can be mild or severe. Some causes of abdominal pain will recede on their own, but others require emergency medical help.
Appendicitis
The appendix is a small pouch that is attached to the beginning of the large intestine and is located on the right side of the abdomen. The appendix can become blocked, inflamed, infected and very painful. If the infected appendix is not treated, it can burst and spill infection into the abdomen causing widespread toxicity. Surgical removal of the appendix is the preferred treatment. Appendicitis causes lower right-sided abdominal pain that is new and different, nausea and vomiting, and a low-grade fever, according to The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Gallstones
Gallstones are small, hard deposits that form inside of the gallbladder. These gallstones are made either of cholesterol or bilirubin-a substance in the gallbladder that helps make up bile. According to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, gallstones made of cholesterol are by far the most common type. A gallstone can range in size from tiny to the size of a golf ball and can obstruct one of the many ducts that leave the gallbladder. Symptoms of a gall stone attack include pain in the middle and right side of the abdomen, fever, jaundice and nausea or vomiting. There are several different treatments for gallstones ranging from medication to surgery, but it is very common to remove a gallbladder that produces stones.
Aortic Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of an artery that bulges out because of blood pressure. The aorta is the large vessel that leaves the left side of the heart and delivers blood throughout the body. According to MayoClinic.com, about 75 percent of all aortic aneurysms occur in the abdomen rather than higher up in the chest. Since the aorta carries so much blood, an aortic aneurysm that bursts can be deadly. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, a pulsating sensation, and back pain.
Herniated Disc
A spinal disc is a soft spongy material that separates the vertebra and provides shock absorption. The tough fibrous outer layer can crack and allow the soft jelly-like center to bulge or herniate out into the spinal canal, putting pressure on nearby nerves. When this occurs, it causes local or radiating pain, numbness and tingling and muscle weakness, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Since the lumbar spine traverses the abdomen, pain can occur on the right side of the abdomen.
