What are the causes of right upper quadrant abdominal pain?
Dec 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Right upper abdominal pain may be caused by factors such as exposure to cold, poor dietary habits, pancreatitis, gallstones, or liver cysts. In daily life, to prevent abdominal discomfort, it is important to keep the body warm, maintain regular eating habits, and avoid consuming excessive amounts of spicy or irritating foods in order to support digestive health.
Generally, right upper abdominal pain may be caused by factors such as getting chilled, poor eating habits, gallstones, pancreatitis, or liver cysts. If the above situations occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Getting Chilled
When the abdomen gets chilled, local blood vessels constrict, affecting the blood circulation and normal peristalsis of the intestines, which may cause contraction or spasm of intestinal smooth muscle, resulting in pain in the upper right abdomen. It is important to keep warm in daily life, especially in the abdominal area.
2. Poor Eating Habits
Long-term irregular eating patterns, overeating, and consuming excessive spicy, cold, or other irritating foods may damage the gastric mucosa and reduce digestive function, leading to right upper quadrant abdominal pain. One should adjust dietary habits and avoid overeating.
3. Gallstones
Gallstones mainly result from excessive deposition of cholesterol or bilirubin in bile, bile stasis, and gallbladder dysfunction. Gallstones blocking the cystic duct or irritating the gallbladder wall can cause the aforementioned symptoms, possibly accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Medications such as Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets, Anti-inflammatory and Cholagogue Tablets, and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Capsules should be used according to medical advice.
4. Pancreatitis
Common causes of pancreatitis include excessive alcohol consumption, gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct, and hyperlipidemia. Pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic edema, congestion, or even necrosis, irritating the pancreatic capsule and retroperitoneal nerve plexus, causing pain in the right upper abdomen, which may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Patients should use medications such as Octreotide Acetate Injection, Somatostatin for Injection, and Pethidine Hydrochloride Tablets according to medical instructions.
5. Liver Cysts
Liver cysts are mainly caused by congenital developmental abnormalities, blockage of the liver duct system, or localized inflammatory reactions leading to fluid accumulation forming cystic masses. When liver cysts enlarge, they may compress surrounding tissues or cause inflammatory reactions, leading to right upper abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by an abdominal mass or hepatic distension pain. Medications such as Xiaoyao Pills, Cinnamon Twig and Poria Capsules, and Vitamin E Softgels should be used under a doctor's guidance.
To prevent abdominal discomfort, one should focus on keeping warm, maintaining regular eating habits, and avoiding excessive intake of irritating foods to maintain digestive system health.
