According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, abdominal pain can result from numerous conditions that range in severity from self-resolving to medical emergency. Pain in the lower right abdomen may be caused by an abnormality of the gastrointestinal, urinary, reproductive or musculoskeletal system. It can be challenging to decipher the precise location of abdominal pain. A qualified health care provider can assist in discovering the underlying cause, seriousness and appropriate course of treatment.
Appendicitis
The appendix is a small pouch in the lower right abdomen, attached to the large intestine. If the appendix gets blocked, which may occur due to gastrointestinal obstruction, inflammation or injury, the appendix becomes swollen and infected--a condition called appendicitis. Appendicitis can be severely painful, and it may arise suddenly. Other symptoms of appendicitis, outlined by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, inability to pass gas and fever. The NDDIC cautions that appendicitis can lead to a worse condition called peritonitis, which occurs when the appendix bursts and the infection spreads throughout the abdomen. To avoid complications, appendicitis requires immediate medical attention.
Kidney Stone
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes that kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. Kidney stones occur when crystals separate from the urine as it moves through the kidneys and ureters. While some kidney stones may cause no symptoms, others may lead to extreme, sharp and cramping abdominal pain. If a stone forms in the right kidney, the pain is felt in the right mid-back, side and lower abdomen. The pain may move to the groin as the stone moves through the urinary tract. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine and pain with urination. Many kidney stones are small and will pass through the body without causing symptoms. Larger stones, however, require medical intervention.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pain in the lower right abdomen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of female reproductive tract structures, such as the uterus or womb and fallopian tubes, among others. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious complication of certain sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. If left unchecked, pelvic inflammatory disease can damage the fallopian tubes and uterine and ovarian tissues. The CDC states that common signs and symptoms associated with pelvic inflammatory disease include pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis on the affected side, vaginal discharge, irregular menstrual bleeding, pain with sex, lower back discomfort, painful urination and fatigue. Pelvic inflammatory disease is challenging to diagnose because its symptoms can be mild or subtle.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Evaluation of Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Appendicitis
- The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney Stones in Adults
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
