Why do I feel uncomfortable on my right side? Exploring potential causes

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. Understanding why do I feel uncomfortable on my right side? is crucial, as the cause can range from a minor issue to a medical emergency, depending on its location and accompanying symptoms.

Quick Summary

Right-sided discomfort can stem from problems in the digestive, urinary, or musculoskeletal systems, as well as gynecological issues. Causes range from gas and muscle strain to more serious conditions like appendicitis, gallstones, or kidney problems.

Key Points

Digestive Causes: Many issues, from gas and constipation to serious conditions like appendicitis or gallbladder inflammation, can cause right-sided abdominal pain.
Urinary Problems: Pain in the right flank, the area between your ribs and hip, is often a sign of kidney issues such as kidney stones or an infection.
Musculoskeletal Origin: Discomfort can be the result of a muscle strain, rib injury, or a spinal problem that causes referred pain to the right side.
Reproductive System Issues: Women may experience right-sided pelvic or lower abdominal pain due to conditions like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or ectopic pregnancy.
When to See a Doctor: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe, sudden pain accompanied by fever, persistent vomiting, or jaundice, as these can indicate a serious condition.

Feeling uncomfortable on your right side can be a puzzling and unsettling experience, given the variety of organs and structures located in that area. The exact location and nature of your discomfort—whether it's a dull ache, sharp pain, or a general feeling of unease—can provide important clues about its origin.

The Digestive System: Upper and Lower Right Abdomen

Many of the most common causes for right-sided discomfort originate in the digestive system, where organs like the liver, gallbladder, and appendix reside. The type of pain often depends on which organ is affected and where the pain is localized.

Upper Right Abdomen (Below the Ribs)

Discomfort in this area is frequently associated with the liver and gallbladder.

Gallstones: Hardened deposits of cholesterol or bilirubin can block the bile duct, causing sudden, intense pain known as a "gallbladder attack." This pain can radiate to your back or right shoulder blade, and often occurs after eating fatty meals.
Gallbladder Inflammation (Cholecystitis): This is often a complication of gallstones and results in constant, severe pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by fever and nausea.
Liver Problems (Hepatitis): Inflammation of the liver from infections or other causes can lead to a dull, chronic ache in the upper right quadrant. Other symptoms may include fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and dark urine.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause pain in the upper abdomen that may radiate to the back.

Lower Right Abdomen

Appendicitis: One of the most critical causes of lower right-side pain is appendicitis. It typically begins with a dull ache near the belly button that shifts to a sharper, more localized pain in the lower right abdomen over several hours. It often includes a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Gas and Constipation: Trapped gas or a build-up of stool can cause cramping, bloating, and discomfort anywhere in the abdomen, including the lower right side.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic conditions like IBS and IBD can cause frequent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Flares of these conditions can cause discomfort on one side or both.
Hernia: An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle wall, causing a bulge and discomfort in the lower abdomen or groin.

The Urinary System: Flank Pain

Pain on the right side that is higher up and towards the back, in the area between your ribs and hip (the flank), is often related to the kidneys.

Kidney Stones: When minerals and salts form hard deposits, they can cause sharp, excruciating pain as they move through the urinary tract. This pain can radiate from the back to the lower abdomen and groin.
Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): A urinary tract infection that travels to the kidney can cause flank pain, fever, chills, and painful or frequent urination.

The Musculoskeletal System: Strains and Sprains

Sometimes, the discomfort isn't related to internal organs at all, but rather the muscles, bones, and cartilage of the body's framework.

Muscle Strain: Overuse, strenuous exercise, or improper lifting can strain abdominal or back muscles, leading to localized pain that worsens with movement.
Rib Injury: A bruised or fractured rib from a fall or impact can cause pain under the rib cage that feels sharp, especially when taking a deep breath.
Spinal Issues: Problems like herniated discs in the lumbar region or spinal arthritis can cause nerve irritation and pain that radiates to the side or flank.

The Female Reproductive System

For women, conditions affecting the reproductive organs can also cause discomfort on the right side of the lower abdomen.

Ovarian Cyst: A benign fluid-filled sac on an ovary can cause pain if it grows large, ruptures, or causes ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary), a medical emergency.
Ectopic Pregnancy: A life-threatening condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. This requires immediate medical attention.
Endometriosis: A chronic condition where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing painful inflammation and scarring.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Most minor causes of right-sided discomfort, like gas, will resolve on their own. However, certain signs and symptoms require prompt medical evaluation. You should contact a healthcare provider if:

The pain is severe, comes on suddenly, or persists for more than a couple of days.
The pain is accompanied by a high fever, chills, or sweating.
You experience nausea, vomiting, or a loss of appetite along with the pain.
You notice blood in your urine or stool.
Your skin or the whites of your eyes appear yellow (jaundice).
You are experiencing pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or are pregnant.

Comparison of Common Right-Side Discomfort Sources


Feature	Gallbladder Issues	Kidney Stones	Appendicitis	Muscle Strain
Location	Upper right abdomen, can radiate to back/shoulder	Back or flank, can move to lower abdomen/groin	Lower right abdomen, often starts around navel	Localized to affected muscle group
Pain Quality	Sharp, cramping pain	Severe, sharp, colicky waves	Sharp, continuous, worsening pain	Aching, sore, or tender
Triggers	Eating fatty foods	Dehydration, diet	Inflammation	Exertion, lifting, overuse
Associated Symptoms	Nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice	Nausea, vomiting, fever, painful urination	Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever	Worsens with movement, improves with rest

Conclusion

The causes for feeling uncomfortable on your right side are diverse, ranging from benign issues like gas or muscle strain to potentially life-threatening conditions like appendicitis. The key to determining the severity is to pay close attention to the specific location, quality, and accompanying symptoms of your discomfort. While minor issues can often be managed with rest and self-care, persistent, severe, or escalating symptoms always warrant a medical evaluation to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not hesitate to seek professional medical advice if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common causes for right-sided discomfort include gas, indigestion, or a muscle strain. However, more serious issues like gallbladder problems (gallstones or inflammation) or appendicitis are also common, particularly with more severe or persistent pain.

Gallbladder pain is often described as a sudden, sharp, cramping, or aching pain in the upper right abdomen. It can sometimes radiate to the back between the shoulder blades or to the right shoulder. It may last for minutes to hours and is often triggered by a fatty meal.

Appendicitis pain often starts as a dull ache near your belly button and then moves to and intensifies in the lower right abdomen. It is often accompanied by a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and a low-grade fever. The pain worsens with movement.

Yes, trapped gas or constipation can cause pain and cramping on the right side, as gas bubbles and stool move through the colon. This pain is usually temporary and may be relieved by passing gas or having a bowel movement.

You should go to the emergency room if you have sudden, severe, or escalating pain; a high fever with chills; signs of jaundice; or if you are pregnant and experiencing pain. These could be signs of appendicitis, a gallbladder attack, or other urgent conditions.

Yes, pain from a muscle strain in the abdominal or back muscles can feel like internal organ pain. Unlike internal pain, which is often constant, muscle pain tends to worsen with specific movements and may feel sore or tender to the touch in a localized area.

For mild discomfort not accompanied by other serious symptoms, applying a warm compress to the area, staying hydrated, and eating a low-fat diet may help. However, for persistent or worsening pain, a professional medical diagnosis is essential.