What is right side pain a symptom of?

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 2 million Americans visit the emergency room for abdominal pain annually. Because the right side of the abdomen, flank, and back houses several important organs, understanding what is right side pain a symptom of is crucial for identifying potential health issues, ranging from minor discomfort to serious conditions.

Quick Summary

Right side pain can be a symptom of conditions affecting organs like the appendix, gallbladder, liver, or kidneys, as well as musculoskeletal problems or digestive issues like gas. The specific location, intensity, and accompanying symptoms are critical clues for identifying the underlying cause and determining if medical attention is needed.

Key Points

Appendicitis Risk: Pain that starts around the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen, worsening over hours, could signal appendicitis and requires immediate medical help.
Gallbladder Pain: Post-meal pain under the right ribs, especially after eating fatty foods, is a hallmark symptom of gallbladder issues like gallstones.
Kidney Problem Indicators: Pain in the right back or flank accompanied by nausea, bloody urine, and painful urination may point to a kidney stone or infection.
Hernia Signs: A visible bulge in the groin area with associated pain or a burning sensation could be an inguinal hernia.
Emergency Symptoms: High fever, jaundice, persistent vomiting, and severe, progressive pain warrant an immediate visit to the emergency room.
Location Matters: The precise location of the pain on the right side is a critical clue for identifying the affected organ and potential cause.

Understanding Right Side Pain

Pain on the right side of the body can originate from many different systems, including the digestive, urinary, reproductive, and musculoskeletal systems. The location of the pain—whether in the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, or back—provides the most important clues for diagnosis. It is essential to pay close attention to the characteristics of the pain and any other symptoms present to help narrow down the possibilities.

Causes of Upper Right Abdominal Pain

Pain under the right rib cage is often related to organs located in this region, including the liver and gallbladder.

Gallbladder Issues

Gallstones: Hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can block bile ducts. They cause sudden, intense, cramping pain in the upper right abdomen that may radiate to the back or right shoulder blade.
Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, typically caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct. This results in constant, severe pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Liver Problems

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, which can cause a dull ache or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, along with fatigue, nausea, and jaundice.
Fatty Liver Disease: An accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to a dull, dragging pain or pressure sensation beneath the ribs.

Causes of Lower Right Abdominal Pain

This area is home to the appendix and parts of the large and small intestines, making it a common site for pain from various digestive and reproductive issues.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. It is the most common surgical emergency causing right-side pain.

Pain often begins around the navel and moves to the lower right abdomen.
The pain intensifies over several hours and worsens with movement, coughing, or sneezing.
Other symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Hernias

An inguinal hernia occurs when a part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, causing a bulge and pain in the groin area.

Pain may be described as a burning or aching sensation.
Symptoms worsen with exertion, such as bending or lifting heavy objects.

Conditions Specific to Women

Ovarian Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs on the surface of an ovary. A large or ruptured cyst can cause sharp or dull pain in the lower right abdomen.
Ectopic Pregnancy: A life-threatening medical emergency where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Can cause severe abdominal pain and other symptoms.

Causes of Right Side Back or Flank Pain

Pain in the flank or back on the right side often points to issues with the kidneys or back muscles.

Kidney Issues

Kidney Stones: Mineral and salt deposits that can cause intense, sharp, cramping pain as they move through the urinary tract.
Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): An infection that reaches the kidneys from the urinary tract, causing back pain, fever, and painful urination.

Musculoskeletal Problems

Muscle Strains: Pain resulting from strenuous activity, poor posture, or injury.
Sciatica: Inflammation of the sciatic nerve can cause pain in the lower back that radiates down the leg.

Comparison of Major Causes of Right Side Pain


Condition	Location of Pain	Pain Characteristics	Associated Symptoms
Appendicitis	Lower right abdomen, often migrating from the navel	Sharp, steady, worsens with movement	Fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Gallstones	Upper right abdomen, under ribs; may radiate to back/shoulder	Sudden, intense, cramping; often post-meal	Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bloating
Kidney Stones	Flank/back, radiates to groin	Sharp, fluctuating, wave-like	Nausea, vomiting, bloody urine, painful urination
Inguinal Hernia	Groin area; may extend to scrotum in males	Aching, burning, pressure; worsens with activity	Visible bulge, heaviness

When to Seek Medical Attention

While some minor causes of right side pain, like gas, may resolve on their own, certain signs indicate a need for immediate medical evaluation.

Severe, worsening pain that makes it difficult to stand or walk.
High fever and chills.
Abdominal swelling and tenderness.
Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Persistent nausea or vomiting.
Bloody stools or bloody urine.
Fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

Conclusion

Right side pain has a wide range of potential causes, from benign issues like trapped gas to serious medical emergencies like appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy. Accurately pinpointing the source of the pain requires careful attention to location, nature, and accompanying symptoms. Since severe or persistent pain can signal a critical condition, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan, rather than self-diagnosing. For more information on digestive diseases, refer to authoritative sources like the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): NIDDK Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, gas can cause sharp or cramping pain on either the right or left side of the abdomen. The pain often moves around and typically eases after passing gas or a bowel movement.

If the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms like high fever, chills, jaundice, vomiting, or swelling, you should seek immediate medical attention. Serious conditions like appendicitis require urgent care.

No, while the gallbladder is a common cause, pain under the right ribs can also be from liver inflammation (hepatitis), fatty liver disease, or even musculoskeletal issues. A doctor's evaluation is needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Appendicitis pain is distinct because it usually starts near the navel and migrates to the lower right abdomen, becoming more intense and localized over time. General stomach pain from indigestion or gas is often more diffuse and less severe.

Yes, a strained muscle in the abdomen or back, a herniated disc, or nerve irritation like sciatica can all cause pain on the right side. This pain might worsen with specific movements or posture.

Kidney stones typically cause a sharp, cramping pain in the right flank or back. This pain often comes in waves and may radiate down to the lower abdomen and groin as the stone moves through the urinary tract.

Go to the ER if you experience severe pain that doubles you over, pain that worsens with movement, high fever, abdominal swelling, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), or bloody stools/urine.