Introduction
The abdomen is the area of the body between the thorax (chest) and the pelvis. It contains important organs (such as intestines, liver, pancreas and gall bladder) that involve in the digestion. The lower right part of the abdomen contains a part of the colon and the right ovary in women.
Abdominal pain is also known as a stomach ache. There are several conditions that cause pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen. The symptom of pain can be associated with both serious and non- serious medical conditions, so it is important to know the difference between conditions which causes the pain in the lower right part of the abdomen.
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Blood in stools
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Abdominal tenderness
(Reference: Ashtang Hridyam, Chaper No. 11, Shlok No. 15)
The meaning of this quotation is Mande anala- weakness of digestive activity, Shaitya- coldness and Prabha honey- loss of luster (complexation).
Reasons for Pain in The Lower Right Abdomen
The reasons for pain in the lower right abdomen may be associated with non-serious and serious conditions. The pain may be due to some gender-specific causes
Non- Serious or Less Serious Causes
It includes:
- Indigestion
Indigestion is also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach. It typically happens after you eat or drink something inadequate. The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen but also felt in the lower part. Symptoms of indigestion include heartburn, bloating, fullness, feeling sick, burping, farting, etc.
- Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps are a symptom of menstruation and also are known as dysmenorrhea. Abdominal pain can happen before or during periods. Symptoms of Menstrual cramps include constant ache or pain throughout your lower back and thighs, nausea, loose stools, headaches, dizziness.
- Intestinal Gas
When your digestive system does not digest the food properly, more gas builds up in the intestine which causes abdominal pain and bloating in the stomach. The causes of intestinal gas include overeating or smoking.
More Severe or Serious Causes
It includes
- Appendicitis
Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the lower right abdomen. The appendix is a small, thin tube-like structure that’s located where the large and small intestines meet. When your appendix gets inflamed, the condition is known as appendicitis. This causes pain in the middle of the abdomen and then spreads to the lower right abdomen where it becomes severe. Symptoms of appendicitis include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, bloating, and constipation.
- Kidney Stones
Minerals and salts can accumulate in the kidney to form hard lumps, known as stones. If stones are smaller in size, these can pass through the urinary system, but if stones are large in size it gets stuck and cause severe pain in the abdomen, around the lower back, side, and the groin Kidney stone pain often starts suddenly, where the stone moves, the pain changes location and intensity. Symptoms of kidney stones are nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, pain during urination, fevers, and chills.
- Hernia
A hernia is a condition when organ or tissue pushes through a muscle or tissue wall and forms a small lump. They mostly happen in the abdominal area and can cause pain or discomfort. Symptoms of Hernia are pain while laughing, lifting, crying, coughing, or straining, a dull ache, fullness or constipation
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition which can cause pain in the abdominal area with other symptoms including cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, mucus in the stool.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBS shouldn’t be confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a group of debilitating digestive disorders that cause changes in intestinal tissue and increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease comes under IBD and both chronic diseases cause inflammation in the digestive tract, which leads to abdominal pain. It can be diagnosed through colonoscopy.
Gender-Specific Causes
The anatomy of the lower abdomen is different in males and females, so the causes of pain in the lower right abdomen may be gender-specific causes.
These conditions also require immediate medical attention.
Causes for Abdominal Pain in Females
1. Ovarian Cyst
Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that can develop on the ovaries. Most cysts are harmless and don’t produce any pain or discomfort and disappear in a few months. But larger can lead to serious symptoms like pain during sex, sudden and severe abdominal pain, difficulty in urinating, abnormally heavy or light periods, bloating, persistent urination, etc.
2. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition and a painful disorder which most commonly involves ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining of the pelvis. It can cause pain in the lower abdomen or back. It can include severe symptoms like severe period pains, pain during or after sex, nausea, and abnormally heavy periods.
3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the genital tract and may be caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases. It can cause pain in the abdomen with other symptoms such as fever, pain during sex, pain during urination, unusual vaginal discharge with a bad odor, nausea.
4. Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy can occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the womb. Ectopic pregnancy can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often are like those of a normal early pregnancy and it can cause pain in the abdomen with other symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, pain around the shoulder, nausea, diarrhea, missed period (typical signs of pregnancy).
5. Ovarian Torsion
Ovarian torsion is a condition when ovaries get twisted with surrounding tissues, causing reduced blood flow. This causes severe pain in the lower abdomen with other symptoms such as abnormal periods, pain during sex, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Causes for Abdominal Pain in Male
1. Inguinal Hernia
It is one of the most common types of hernias. It happens when fatty tissue or part of the small intestine pushes through passages located in the lower abdomen. This can cause abdominal pain with other symptoms such as weakness, aching, heaviness, or burning in the groin, swollen or enlarged scrotum.
2. Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion happens when your spermatic cords that attach to the testicles get twisted and blood flow reduces. It leads to sudden pain and swelling in the scrotum. It also causes pain in the abdomen with other symptoms such as pain when urinating, nausea, vomiting, and swelling in the scrotum.
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