What are the causes of mild pain in the right abdomen?
Disease description:
I have been experiencing a persistent dull pain in my right abdomen recently. It's not severe, but it's constantly there, sometimes becoming more noticeable after meals or physical exertion. What could be the possible cause?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Right-sided abdominal discomfort is a common symptom that may be related to gallbladder diseases such as cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. The pain typically occurs in the upper right abdomen and may radiate to the right shoulder and back.
Liver diseases, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis, may present with nonspecific or mild pain, among which long-standing dull pain is one of the characteristics. Intestinal adhesions may cause symptoms such as abdominal distension and vomiting, leading to right-sided abdominal discomfort. Metabolic abnormalities or dysfunction of the kidneys may present with sudden severe pain and hematuria.
Poor dietary hygiene, intestinal disorders such as bloating and intestinal spasms, and reproductive system conditions such as salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease may also cause right-sided abdominal pain. Musculoskeletal issues, such as intercostal muscle strain or spinal problems, may also manifest as abdominal pain. In the early stages, appendicitis may present as periumbilical or epigastric pain, which later localizes to the right lower quadrant.
Accurate diagnosis of the aforementioned conditions requires a thorough medical history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging and laboratory tests. If right-sided abdominal discomfort persists or worsens, timely medical evaluation is recommended to avoid delays in treatment.
