Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Pancreatic cancer
Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) due to an infection or blood disease
Gastritis or stomach ulcer
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Stomach or esophageal cancer
Kidney infection or kidney stones
Interestingly, pain in this area doesn’t always originate in the abdomen. It can also be distant chest pain, for example, in cases of:
Heartburn or acid reflux
Angina or heart attack
Pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart)
Pneumonia, pleurisy, or pulmonary embolism
Pain in the
lower right side of the abdomen.
The appendix is located on the lower right side, so one of the first concerns about this pain is appendicitis, a medical emergency that usually requires surgery. The pain typically starts near the navel and then spreads to the lower right side of the abdomen, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Other possible causes include ovarian cysts, kidney stones, Crohn’s disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Upper right side.
This area houses several key organs, primarily the liver, gallbladder, and part of the small intestine. Pain in this area may be due to:
Hepatitis (viral, alcoholic or autoimmune)
Gallstone disease or cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
Liver disease or liver cancer
Gallbladder cancer
Kidney infection or kidney stones
Duodenal ulcers
Intestinal obstruction
In some cases, the pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back, especially if it is related to the gallbladder or liver.
When to call a doctor:
Not all stomach aches are an emergency, but certain symptoms mean you shouldn’t wait for them to go away.
Call your doctor if you have:
Severe or persistent pain that lasts more than a few hours.
