Having a pain in the lower right part of your stomach after eating can be caused by many things and may not be due to eating at all. There are many organs located in this region of your abdomen and pain--depending on the kind--can signify anything from indigestion to appendicitis.
Abdominal Pain
Just about everyone experiences abdominal pain at some point in life. In the majority of the cases, it is harmless, but sometimes it can be the sign of a medical emergency. The pain can originate in the abdomen, or it can originate elsewhere and radiate to the abdomen. The type of pain will help a physician determine what is causing the pain.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix is inflamed. MedlinePlus states that appendicitis is one of the most common causes of surgery in the United States. Usually, the first symptom of appendicitis is pain around the belly button. The pain starts off vague but then becomes severe and radiates to the lower right section of the abdomen. Additional symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever. If the inflammation becomes severe, you may develop chills, constipation, shaking and vomiting. The only treatment for appendicitis is to remove the appendix.
Constipation
Constipation occurs when there is an interruption in the bowel movement process. Constipation is usually temporary and can be relieved by using laxatives or prevented by incorporating a high-fiber diet. Symptoms of constipation are passing stool less than three times a week, hard stools, straining bowel movements and having a sense of blockage. People who are constipated may experience abdominal pain or gastrointestinal upset, but the pain should not be severe.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus, normally in the fallopian tubes, but in rare cases, it can occur in the ovaries, stomach and cervix. Ectopic pregnancies are normally caused by past cases ectopic pregnancies, fallopian tube infections and past surgery on the fallopian tubes. Women who are at higher risk for having ectopic pregnancies are those who are over the ages of 35, who have had multiple sexual partners and those who have had IVF treatment. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower back pain, mild cramping on one side of the pelvis, lower abdominal pain, severe and sudden pain in the lower abdomen and pain in the shoulder area.
Kidney Stones
According to MedlinePlus, kidney stones form when urine contains too many of certain type of substance. These substances form crystals in the kidneys called kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney stones are pain in the abdomen or one the sides of the back, abnormal urine color, blood in the urine, chills, fever, nausea and vomiting. Kidney stones can be treated by the use of medication, and, in some cases, surgery may be required to remove the stones.
