Right-Sided Abdominal Pain: Causes & When to See a Doctor
Pain in the right side of the abdomen is a common complaint with many possible causes, ranging from the harmless to the serious. Where the pain sits — upper-right or lower-right — and how it behaves give important clues. Pain in the upper-right, especially after fatty meals, often points to the gallbladder, while lower-right pain raises the question of the appendix.
This page explains what right-sided abdominal pain can mean, the warning signs that need prompt attention, and how the cause is found and treated.
What does right-sided abdominal pain mean?
The right side of the abdomen contains several organs. In the upper-right sit the gallbladder and liver; in the lower-right, the appendix and part of the bowel. Pain from each tends to have its own pattern. Gallbladder pain is typically a severe, gripping ache in the upper-right, often after fatty food, sometimes spreading to the back or right shoulder. Appendicitis often starts around the navel and settles into the lower-right.
Short-lived, mild pain is usually nothing to worry about. Pain that is severe, persistent, or comes with fever, vomiting or jaundice should be assessed promptly.
Common causes
- Gallstones and biliary colic (upper-right pain, often after fatty meals)
- Acute cholecystitis — an inflamed, infected gallbladder
- Appendicitis (lower-right pain) — a surgical emergency
- Indigestion, gas and muscular strain
Less common causes
- Bile duct stones causing pain and jaundice
- Liver conditions
- A hernia in the groin or abdominal wall
- Kidney stones or urinary infection
- Gallbladder cancer (uncommon, but more frequent in this region)
When should you seek medical attention?
- Severe pain lasting more than a few hours
- Pain with fever and chills (suggesting infection)
- Pain with yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Pain with persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
- Sudden, severe lower-right pain — could be appendicitis; seek urgent care
How is the cause diagnosed?
- Clinical examination and history of the pain pattern
- Abdominal ultrasound — the main test for gallstones and gallbladder problems
- Blood tests, including liver function and markers of infection
- CT scan for appendicitis or unclear cases
- MRCP if a bile-duct stone is suspected
How right-sided abdominal pain is treated
Treatment depends on the cause. Gallstones causing symptoms are treated by removing the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), the definitive cure. Appendicitis is treated by removing the appendix. A bile-duct stone is usually cleared endoscopically (ERCP), followed by gallbladder surgery. Simpler causes such as indigestion are managed with reassurance and medical measures.
Because gallstone disease is extremely common, upper-right pain that recurs — especially after fatty meals — is well worth having assessed with an ultrasound.
When surgery may be needed
Surgery is the definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones and for acute cholecystitis — a keyhole gallbladder removal that is usually a day-care procedure. Appendicitis needs prompt surgery. Bile-duct stones may need an endoscopic procedure and then gallbladder surgery. A GI surgeon can determine, from your symptoms and an ultrasound, whether a procedure is needed.
When to consult a GI surgeon in Lucknow
If you have any of the warning signs above, or a symptom that is persistent, worsening or worrying you, it is worth seeking a specialist opinion. Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma — Director of GI Surgery, GI Oncology & Bariatric Surgery at Medanta, Lucknow — offers clear, unhurried assessment to find the cause and guide you on the right next step.
Right-Sided Abdominal Pain: frequently asked questions
Is right-sided abdominal pain a sign of gallstones?
It can be. Gallstones classically cause a severe, gripping pain in the upper-right abdomen, often after fatty meals, sometimes spreading to the back or right shoulder. An ultrasound is the simple test that confirms whether gallstones are present.
When is right-sided abdominal pain an emergency?
Seek urgent care if the pain is severe and persistent, comes with fever, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) or repeated vomiting, or if it is a sudden, severe lower-right pain that could be appendicitis. These need prompt assessment.
Can gas cause right-sided abdominal pain?
Yes, gas and indigestion are common and harmless causes of abdominal pain, including on the right. However, severe, persistent or recurrent pain — particularly after fatty meals or with other symptoms — should be assessed to rule out gallstones and other causes.
Concerned about right-sided abdominal pain?
Don't wait and worry. Book a consultation with Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma for a clear assessment and honest advice on the next step.