Determining the causes of nonspecific pain is a serious task for neurologists, surgeons, obstetricians, gynecologists, traumatologists, orthopedists and specialists in other medical fields. Diseases accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen are difficult to diagnose and can pose a serious danger to the patient's health.
Despite the obviousness of the sensations, this is a difficult problem in diagnosing acute and chronic diseases in the pelvic area.
The pain is manifested by unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen (including on the right side) and can be combined with pain in the projections of the body located in:
suprapubic, inguinal area;
male genital organ;
clitoris, vagina, uterus;
The complexity of the problem is that a chronic pain impulse under the influence of various reasons can be formed in the central nervous system in the absence of a focus in the internal organs. Therefore, even the most modern medical studies often do not detect pathological changes.
However, let’s leave it to doctors to solve the complex problems of diagnosing nonspecific pain. Instead, we will focus on the obvious causes of pain to the extent that it is useful for the use of knowledge by a wide range of readers in order to prevent the causes of pain and timely access to a medical institution.
Common causes of pain in the lower abdomen are associated with irritation of sensory receptors:
internal organs of the small pelvis of the right half of the body;
the right hip joint, as well as the bones, vessels and lymph nodes of the right leg.
Organs partially or completely located in the pelvic area, including departments:
digestion (part of the small intestine, liver, its ducts, pancreas, large intestine, including the appendix and anal area);
urinary system, paired organs (kidneys, ureters), unpaired (bladder, urethra);
female reproductive system (uterus, ovaries, oviducts, birth canal, vulva, clitoris);
male reproductive system (testicles enclosed in the scrotum, spermatic cords, male genital organ).
Outside the human abdominal cavity, pain in the right side of the lower abdomen can be caused by diseases:
right hip joint, including those involving bone, cartilage tissue, blood vessels, nerve fibers, ligaments and muscles in the pathogenesis;
bones of the lower back, sacrum, coccyx, right femur, including those involving nerves, vessels, ligaments and muscles surrounding the bone tissue in the pathogenesis.
Pain radiating or reflected to the right side and lower abdomen from organs that are not anatomically related to the pelvic organs are not considered in this article.
Such pain, always nonspecific, accompanies numerous diseases and physiological abnormalities. They are usually combined with other symptoms that indicate the underlying cause of the disease.
The most obvious pain in the lower right side, or more precisely, in the iliac region, in the groin and in the navel area, is the pain of appendicitis. Details (see here).
The main diseases that can be combined with pain in the right side of the lower abdomen:
Intestinal diverticulosis is a protrusion of the intestinal walls. The symptoms resemble those of appendicitis. Therefore, during surgery on the appendix, an inspection of the intestine is usually performed to exclude this pathology. The contents of the intestine accumulate in the diverticulum pocket, irritating the nerve endings and causing pain in the right lower abdomen. In severe cases, the pathology is combined with intoxication. In addition to pain, weakness, fever, constipation or diarrhea, and vomiting are detected.
Intestinal blockage. When intestinal volvulus occurs, the pathogenesis is characterized by rapid development. This occurs due to the cessation of blood flow and disruption of the innervation of the intestinal walls. With mechanical blockage of the intestine (foreign bodies), peristalsis stops and severe pain is observed, radiating to the right side of the groin. It can be combined with vomiting after eating, with the absence of peristaltic sounds and with the expansion of the lumen of the intestinal loops.
Duodenitis. Inflammation of the duodenum and small intestine is accompanied by pain, radiating, among other things, to the right side. Pain is projected onto the lower abdomen when the intestinal loops located closer to the right side of the body are predominantly affected. The pain is combined with signs of indigestion.
Inguinal hernia. Pathology is classified as a surgical disease. A hernia is a combination of two factors: rupture of the internal layers of the abdominal wall and prolapse of the omentum and intestinal loops into the subcutaneous space. The integrity of the skin during hernias is not compromised. A hernia manifests itself as a sac-like protrusion of skin in the groin. If upon palpation it is possible to push the contents of the hernial sac inward, this is a reducible hernia. If it is impossible to reduce, it is a strangulated hernia. A strangulated hernia is dangerous. The intestinal loops, omentum with vessels and nerve fibers swell and swell. Their volume exceeds the diameter of the hernial ring. The pain intensifies with physical activity. Diagnosis is not difficult. Treatment is surgery to suturing the hernial ring.
Liver diseases. The early stages of hepatitis are not characterized by a painful reaction. Pain develops in the later stages of inflammation. In severe cases, excruciating pain appears in the right lower abdomen; pathogenesis is accompanied by total damage to the organ (cirrhosis of the liver) and biliary tract (cholecystitis). The pain may go down to the groin area on the right side.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Characterized by a girdling, descending pain.
Lesions of the rectum are manifested by pain radiating to the groin.
Adhesions of the serous membranes of internal organs. In case of damage to the nerve fibers in the lower abdomen on the right, pain appears in the indicated area. The causes of adhesions are postoperative complications, congenital or acquired pathologies without previous surgical intervention.
Pain syndrome in different parts of the body, including the right (with right-sided lesions) in the lower abdomen.
Pain occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to produce urine, filter and absorb purified blood back into the bloodstream. Pain syndrome accompanies inflammation of the parenchyma, renal glomeruli, pelvis and cavities, as well as degenerative, dystrophic and oncological diseases of the kidneys. The pain develops over a short time and often cannot be relieved even with strong painkillers.
Pain develops when an obstruction forms along the urethra and when it is impossible to remove urine outside the body. Pathological processes are more severe in men due to the narrow and long urethra. However, diseases in the ureters are more often detected in women due to the greater likelihood of inflammation of the female genital organs.
Painful urge to urinate is characteristic of the following diseases:
Acute dilatation of the bladder. The reason is blockage of the urethral canal with urinary stones or an inflamed prostate (in men). It manifests itself as an ineffective urge to urinate.
Blockage and inflammation of the ureter. Paired ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder. Pain in the groin on the right should be expected when urine stops in the distal (lower) part of the right ureter. The pain appears suddenly and intensifies very quickly with stagnation of urine. Various methods are used for treatment, including crushing stones with ultrasound and their surgical removal.
Inflammation of the urethra – urethritis. Both men and women get sick. In men, the disease occurs with more serious consequences. Initially, the pathology manifests itself as a burning sensation and pain when urinating. Pain on the right in the groin area occurs when the right inguinal lymph node is involved in the inflammatory process.
Pain is caused by inflammatory processes, injuries or infections of the genital organs. General symptoms of pain syndrome are nagging pain in the scrotum, radiating to the groin.
When the right lymph node is involved in the pathogenesis, the pain shifts to the corresponding area of the body:
Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles;
Inflammation of the male penis, including balanitis - inflammation of the glans, and posthitis - inflammation of the foreskin;
Vesiculitis is a lesion of the seminal vesicles. The testes are paired organs that are located above the prostate;
Epididymitis – inflammation of the testicular appendages;
Cavernitis is inflammation of the cavernous bodies of the male penis;
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland;
Colliculitis is inflammation of the seminal tubercle.
Women have a more complex structure of the genital organs and a special physiology than men. This determines the frequent manifestation of pain in the pelvic area in the lower abdomen, including on the right. Cycle disorders are also almost always accompanied by pain.
Pain is not always associated with obvious pathologies. Painful cycles are typical for girls and young nulliparous women. In some cases, pain is a consequence of infections and colds of the pelvic organs.
Menstrual pain – algomenorrhea. There is an increased flow of blood to the pelvic organs, followed by stagnation and accumulation of blood in the uterine cavity. Pain in the absence of signs of inflammation is primary algomenorrhea. Menstrual pain can be a consequence of gynecological inflammation and genital infections (secondary algomenorrhea). If bleeding is irregular and accompanied by pain, this condition is called algodismenorrhea. Pain in the lower abdomen often radiates to the groin and thigh, is accompanied by dizziness and blurred vision, and intensifies during sexual intercourse. When there are layers of gynecological pathologies, pain is accompanied by pathological vaginal discharge.
In some cases, pain is the cause of serious problems that threaten pregnancy and the woman’s health:
Pain during pregnancy. Physiological pain that occurs for a short time due to intense hormonal changes, increased blood flow to the uterus, fetal growth and stretching of the ligaments that hold the uterus in the abdominal cavity. Such pain is usually not intense and occurs periodically. But pathological obstetric pain can be a sign of spontaneous abortion or ectopic pregnancy.
Pain during spontaneous abortion. Pathology develops in the early stages of pregnancy. There are several stages of spontaneous abortion: threatened abortion and actual abortion (complete, partial). The pain is combined with vaginal bleeding of varying intensity. Cramping pain in the lower abdomen can radiate to the right when the corresponding pain receptors are irritated. With large blood losses and infection of the birth canal with pathogenic microflora, a state of intoxication develops that threatens the life of the mother and fetus.
Pain during premature labor. Occurs in late pregnancy during the period from 28 to 37 weeks of gestation. The pain is combined with manifestations of toxicosis in a pregnant woman. To avoid complications, you should urgently contact a medical institution to provide qualified obstetric care.
Pain during ectopic pregnancy. This is a condition when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity. When the embryo develops outside the uterus, compression of the vessels and walls of the fallopian tubes occurs, and there is a threat of rupture of the walls of the fallopian tubes and vessels on which the fertilized egg is attached. Emergency surgery is required.
Characteristic of young women during or after previous sexually transmitted infections or hypothermia.
In old age, diseases occur due to hormonal imbalances:
Salpingitis. In the context of our article, this is inflammation of the right fallopian (uterine) tube. There are mechanical causes of inflammation (injuries after the consequences of abortion, childbirth and other medical procedures) and microbial causes (genital infections). Pain in the lower abdomen on the right is usually accompanied by an increase in temperature. The pain increases with urination, physical activity and sexual intercourse.
Adnexitis is inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The disease usually occurs in girls and young women, sometimes it is unilateral (right-sided and left-sided adnexitis). This disease is also called “salpingoophoritis”.
An ovarian cyst is a protrusion of an ovary. A vesicle is formed on the ovary, filled with transparent or translucent contents, as a result the ovary enlarges. The causes of cyst formation are hormonal disorders. Ovarian cysts manifest themselves as unilateral pain in the lower abdomen. Some types of cysts disappear on their own. In severe cases, surgery is indicated.
Apoplexy of the ovary. Rupture of an ovarian cyst is apoplexy, accompanied by internal bleeding. Occurs when a very large cyst forms, with excessive stretching of the ovarian walls, after physical exertion. It manifests itself as pain reminiscent of appendicitis. Sometimes the pain radiates to the anus, to the right side of the lower abdomen or to the thigh. Apoplexy usually occurs during the period of ovulation. Urgent surgery is indicated.
Endometriosis. A gynecological disease of a non-inflammatory nature, which is characterized by increased proliferation of the mucous membranes of the uterus. The pathology is accompanied by changes in hormonal levels and increased bleeding. Endometriosis can develop in the genital area or outside of it, such as in the intestines. The disease manifests itself as pelvic pain in the lower abdomen on the right side, accompanied by prolongation of menstrual bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse.
Endometritis. Inflammation of the superficial layers of the walls of the uterus. In some cases, deep layers are involved in the pathological process - endomyometritis. The main reasons are sexually transmitted infections, hypothermia, hormonal disorders. In severe cases, endometritis can result in purulent inflammation and accumulation of exudate in the uterus (pyometra). Endometritis manifests itself as pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes on the right. Additional symptoms are fever, signs of intoxication, vaginal discharge.
Blood vessels and the lymphatic system permeate the human body and nourish, among other things, the abdominal organs and legs.
Lymph nodes are formed at the junction of blood vessels. The most well-known to the average reader are the submandibular lymph nodes, which enlarge and respond with pain due to inflammation in the throat and mouth.
Accordingly, the inguinal lymph nodes enlarge with inflammation of the pelvic organs. There is right-sided inguinal lymphadenitis. The lymphatic system performs protective functions in the body. Pathogens recognized by lymphocytes are attacked, neutralized and removed from the body. During a massive attack, lymphocytes cannot cope with their functions, and inflammation of the lymph nodes occurs.
Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph node, in this case the inguinal one. It can develop on one or both sides, for example on the right side. Right-sided inflammation of the node is accompanied by its enlargement, manifests itself in the form of a painful, strictly limited swelling, and is often accompanied by pain on the right side of the lower abdomen. Sometimes this is accompanied by intoxication and increased body temperature.
Pain syndrome accompanies pathological dilation of the veins in the pelvis. As a result, the outflow of blood from the tissues of the abdominal wall and pelvic organs is disrupted.
Varicose veins of the small pelvis are typical for young women and girls. The main reason is stagnation of blood in the pelvic vessels, which develops during hormonal changes in the body, including puberty and pregnancy. In the first stages, the disease may be asymptomatic or with periodic pain before or after menstruation. Subsequently, persistent pain develops, usually in the lower abdomen, maybe on the right. Differential diagnosis is based on the use of instrumental visualization methods of pelvic blood vessels.
(aneurysm, femoral artery thrombosis, vasculitis - inflammation). The femoral artery supplies blood to the anterior abdominal wall, the genital area and groin, and the muscles of the lower extremities:
An aneurysm is a separation of the inner walls of an artery and the formation of a sac-like protrusion on it. Below the site of the aneurysm, signs of blood supply deficiency develop, and above - blood stagnation. Characterized by severe pain, including in the groin area on the right.
Vascular thrombosis. Similar phenomena occur following stenosis - narrowing or thrombosis of the lumen of an artery or its branches at the site of formation of cholesterol plaques.
The pain often radiates to the groin area.
The main diseases of the hip joint, in which unilateral pain is possible:
Coxarthrosis is arthrosis of the hip joint (right side of the body). This is a disease of a degenerative-dystrophic nature, which affects people mainly in the older age group. The disease is very common, since the hip joint bears the main load when a person moves. Inflammation is a secondary process and develops when a microbial factor is involved in the pathogenesis. One of the symptoms of coxarthrosis is pain radiating to the groin, which is necessarily combined with lameness and reduced joint mobility. The causes of coxarthrosis are stress on the joint, vascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and processes, metabolic disorders, injuries and congenital pathologies. In later stages, treatment is only surgical; the joint must be replaced with an implant.
Aseptic necrosis of the right hip joint. It manifests itself as necrosis of the bone and cartilage tissue of the joint. The pain radiates to the groin from the affected surface. Differential diagnosis of the disease is based on the results of an x-ray examination.
Perthes disease. It is characterized by a decrease in blood supply to the tissue area around the head of the femur and necrosis of the head of the hip joint. Boys under 15 years of age are most often affected. Pain in the joint is reflected in the lower abdomen. Joint deformation and lameness may develop.
Inflammatory diseases of the hip joint on the right side. This group includes rheumatoid, purulent, gouty and infectious diseases. Common symptoms for all pathologies are inflammatory swelling in the joint area, increased local temperature, pain in the joints (initially in small ones), if the hip joint is affected, radiating to the groin area on the right side.
Pain due to diseases of the lower back, radiating to the groin on the right side (see here).
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Pain is a protective reaction of the body that occurs in response to various types of irritation of nerve endings in almost all parts of the body. Pain in the right side of the lower abdomen is part of the pathogenesis of diseases. Correct characterization of the types of pain is important during the early diagnosis of diseases of the pelvic organs, bones, joints and blood vessels.
Based on the description of pain, it is difficult to make a final conclusion about the pathological focus. But it is very important to indicate to the doctor the nature of the pain and its localization for objective examination using abdominal ultrasound, MRI and CT.
It is defined as a feeling of distension of the abdominal wall from the inside with a blunt object. Dull pain of low intensity, debilitating, aching and boring is a reflection of the involvement in the pathogenesis of a large number of small sensitive receptors responsible for the pain of internal organs. Pain emanating from the area of the right side, from below, is dull - a common sign of appendicitis, intestinal diverticulum, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and tumors.
A dangerous sign is the abrupt spontaneous cessation of dull pain. This may mean necrotic processes in internal organs and disturbances in the conduction of pain impulses. Dull pain is sometimes combined with yellowness of the mucous membranes, nausea, general malaise and increased irritability.
It is defined as a feeling of internal organs being pulled towards the abdominal wall or, conversely, being pulled away from it. May worsen with physical activity. The patient takes forced positions. As in the first case, pain is a reflection of the involvement of small superficial receptors of the abdominal wall in the pathogenesis. Develops in athletes with sprains in the groin. Pain can be the result of pathologies of the abdominal cavity (adhesions, hepatitis, inflammation of the kidneys, appendicitis, inflammation of the adrenal gland, duodenum) and pathologies of the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries).
Specific nagging pains are detected in women at all stages of pregnancy and during menstruation. Rarely, nagging pain in the right side may accompany the movement of a small stone in the ureter or osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
Defined as acute, sudden and strong. The sensation is reminiscent of running a dull knife along the inside of the abdominal wall. Pain usually forms in a small pathological focus, less often in a large one. The most likely causes: gynecology, diseases of the urinary system and intestines, pinched nerves.
Cramps in the right side can be a manifestation of inflammation of the ovary, apoplexy, ovarian torsion, pinched nerve in the lumbar skeleton, intestinal volvulus, acute dilatation of the bladder, movement of a large stone in the right ureter and intestinal overflow with gases. It may intensify with straining, bending, or trying to turn the body. Combined with headache, fainting, blurred vision.
It is defined as tingling of the abdominal wall in the right side from the inside with a blunt thin object. It usually occurs periodically and forms in a small pathological focus during inflammation of the gallbladder, appendicitis, or when a stone moves in the left kidney. The stabbing pain can intensify when you sigh, when bending and turning, during physical activity, or when coughing.
Pain is not specific and is far from the only symptom of diseases of the internal organs, joints and bones of the lower girdle of the human body. The most common symptoms accompanying the pain are a burning sensation, fever and nausea leading to vomiting. Correct interpretation of the signs of disease accompanying pain is possible only by a specialist.
Temperature . A decrease in temperature is evidence of the decline of vital functions. An increase in temperature, fever is an adaptive reaction of the body to the action of an infectious or non-infectious, internal or external pathogen. Increased temperature and pain in the right half of the body in the lower abdomen are often combined with gynecological diseases, inflammation of the kidneys and liver. One of the important indicators of fever is its type.
A constantly high temperature of one or two degrees Celsius above normal is a sign of common inflammatory diseases.
Fluctuations in temperature during the day by more than two degrees are frequent companions of purulent processes in the internal organs.
Exhausting temperature (prolonged hyperthermia with differences of over two degrees) is evidence of septic processes in the internal organs.
The absence of a pattern in temperature changes is a sign of rheumatic processes in the lower back.
Nausea, vomiting. These symptoms, combined with pain in the lower abdomen on the right, occur with completely different diseases, including lesions of the digestive, genitourinary, nervous systems and gynecological diseases. All these pathologies are characterized by the presence of symptoms of intoxication and/or stimulation of pain receptors.
Burning. It is noted for diseases of the pelvic organs, including inflammatory processes in the genitourinary area. A burning sensation occurs when urinating, during sexual intercourse, and is a sign of irritation of the mucous membranes of the urethra and external genitalia. A burning sensation can be an independent symptom and/or combined with pain in the lower abdomen.
You should remember to be careful with pain relief. Relieving pain can hide the true causes of the pathology during the diagnostic period.
At the first sign of pain in the right side, you should:
The patient is prohibited from moving and recommended to take a convenient, most comfortable position that reduces or at least does not increase pain.
Assess the nature of pain against the background of additional factors, including the presence of:
pregnancy in women;
concomitant chronic diseases (mentioned above);
additional symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, weakness, duration, nature and type of pain).
For any type of pain that has not previously been observed in a person, you need to call an ambulance and truthfully describe the detected signs of the disease. If you suspect serious causes of pain, voice them in a conversation with your doctor!
If the nature of the pain is familiar, the advisability of calling an ambulance should be determined depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, including:
if you feel worse, call an ambulance immediately;
if the patient’s condition is stable, call a local doctor at home;
in case of a short-term attack of pain, contact the district clinic to receive a referral for examination.
Attention! The recommendations from paragraph 4 should be followed based on the patient’s own subjective feelings and those close to him. Remember: even mild, short-term pain can be a sign of a dangerous disease.
Before the ambulance arrives, you need to prepare the documents necessary for the patient to register at a medical institution (see here).
If possible, it is necessary to accompany the patient to the emergency room of the medical institution.
Author of the article: Elena Ivanovna Gorshenina, gastroenterologist
According to statistics, pain in the left hypochondrium from the back is a common and dangerous symptom, because this is how gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems manifest themselves. Lungs, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, spine - all these organs are located close to the pain localization area and therefore timely and accurate diagnosis is important for correct diagnosis.
If your left side hurts in the back, it is important not to ignore the problem, since pain signals problems in the body that can be very serious. Pain in the side can be caused by spasm of muscles, blood vessels of internal organs, pinched nerves and even cancer, so the patient must understand that the cause of pain in this area should be determined as soon as possible. By taking antispasmodics, you can temporarily forget about the pain, but this will not get rid of the disease itself; it will progress and be aggravated by complications.
After determining the etiology of the pathological process, there is a chance for a complete recovery and final relief from alarming symptoms. So what is the reason if the left back side hurts?
If a patient complains more and more often that he has pain in the left back, then the first thing he should do is consult a surgeon and orthopedist, suspecting spinal disease. It is possible that the problem is with him, then x-rays and ultrasound play a decisive role. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment is conservative or surgical, but there is an increased risk of disability, and after surgery there is a months-long rehabilitation period.
When pain in the left side behind becomes more frequent, it’s time to make an appointment with a cardiologist, since there is a suspicion of dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.
Potential diagnoses include myocarditis, aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, angina, and compression of the thoracic spinal nerves. For such clinical pictures, back pain in the left hypochondrium is burning, paralyzing and bedridden, and it becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, move, and think. He is in a state of partial loss of consciousness; immediate resuscitation measures are urgently required.
If you are worried about pain in the left side in the back of your lower back, you should not reject thoughts about progressive diseases of the digestive organs. In acute cholecystitis, a painful attack lasts several days, disturbs the right rib, scapula and shoulder, and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, numbness of the extremities.
When pancreatitis worsens, the pain has a girdling character and spreads over the lower part of the chest. If there is severe pain in the left hypochondrium at the back, one should not exclude problems with the pancreas, which, in the absence of medical intervention, can lead the patient to the operating table.
If pain in the left side from the back does not stop for a long period of time, the cause may be hidden in dysfunction of the urinary system.
Common diagnoses with characteristic symptoms include renal artery thrombosis, retroperitoneal hematoma, and renal colic. Symptoms are dull or acute in nature, attack periodically, with a short-term interval of remission. Doctors also remind that pain in the left side behind suggests thoughts of progressive urolithiasis, where blood in the urine becomes an additional symptom.
With extensive lesions of the peripheral nervous system and spinal cord, one of the symptoms is unbearable pain in the left side of the back. The attack is characterized by a shooting nature, there is an urgent need for urgent hospitalization with subsequent diagnosis and conservative therapy.
If in the morning you are bothered by pain in the left side behind the ribs, which only increases throughout the day, then the source of the lesion may be the respiratory system. Doctors do not rule out pleurisy, pneumonia, endobronchitis, pneumothorax, and even malignant neoplasms of the lungs and bronchi. For such clinical pictures, pain in the left hypochondrium predominates when inhaling, and after exhalation, short-term relief occurs.
Important! Acute pain accompanied by disturbances in heart rhythm or breathing is a reason for urgent hospitalization.
Frequent pain on the left side of the lower back raises alarming thoughts about the formation of cancer cells, which are accompanied by extensive foci of necrosis and metastases to neighboring organs and systems. The focus of the pathology can be determined by a clinical examination, which, if cancer is suspected, should be comprehensive.
So pain in the back under the ribs on the left is an abstract symptom indicating dysfunction of several organic resource systems at once. Delay in diagnosis can lead to death, so at an early stage of symptoms you should tell your doctor that you are very worried about pain in the left side at the waist, hypochondrium or along the spine.
Pain in the left hypochondrium or side of the back can be acute, dull, pulling, aching, short-term or long-term. Any of them requires diagnostics: it is recommended to perform a CT and MRI, X-ray and ultrasound of internal organs, and take a general and biochemical blood test. The patient himself must respond to the body’s alarm signals, and the acute pain syndrome that hinders movement and disrupts normal breathing should alert. If the patient cannot move, and consciousness is partially absent, all that can be done is to rely on the immediate reaction of relatives.
The most dangerous is acute pain in the left side behind and painful sensations that do not stop even after measures taken (massage, taking painkillers), or that recur after the pills stop working, and are also accompanied by disruption of other body functions, fever, loss of consciousness. In these cases, emergency medical assistance is needed, so calling an ambulance is indispensable.
Among the obligatory doctors to be examined are a cardiologist, nephrologist, urologist, internist, gastroenterologist, traumatologist, surgeon, pulmonologist and gynecologist.
If the left side is pulled from the back, a massage will help relieve the condition. The procedure is performed by a specialist at home, first massaging the lower back, and then moving towards the cervical spine with gentle movements. But it can be done with the permission of doctors, because there may be contraindications.
A nagging pain in the left side behind in women may be a symptom of premenstrual syndrome, so it does not require additional participation from a doctor, but applying heat to the stomach and taking a No-shpa tablet will not hurt. Within a quarter of an hour, the dull pain in the left side behind will disappear, and the general condition will return to normal.
Stitching pain in the left side behind indicates colitis, and treatment is prescribed by a gastroenterologist after collecting medical history data and diagnosing the inflamed process of the colon. If the problem is left unattended, subsequent intestinal obstruction will require surgical measures.
When aching or acute pain in the left hypochondrium intensifies and disrupts breathing, myocardial infarction and the formation of extensive foci of necrosis are possible. The sooner resuscitation measures are carried out after hospitalization, the greater the chances of preserving the patient’s viability. By causing pain in the left hypochondrium, treatment will be ineffective, and the patient may die suddenly.
Important! Back pain of any nature cannot be ignored!
When suddenly a sharp pain strikes in the left side behind, antispasmodics will come to the rescue, demonstrating a temporary therapeutic effect. But in an hour it will return again, so it is important to immediately contact a therapist to quickly establish the exact cause of the pain. Treatment depends entirely on which disease is progressing.
Whatever the pain in the left hypochondrium - aching, dull, stabbing, sharp or pulling, a visit to a therapist should follow immediately, and then a detailed diagnosis of the whole body is required. In case of acute pain, you don’t need to rely on it to go away on its own and drink handfuls of analgesics; you should call an ambulance and follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Lost time can have the most negative consequences.
Doctors are usually very alarmed by such pain. Because on the right side in the abdominal cavity there are many vital organs. What to do in this case? Of course, it is urgent to find out the cause of this pain.
Pain on the right side of the abdomen indicates pathologies of the following organs:
loops of the large intestine
female reproductive organs,
right side of the diaphragm.
If the activity of these organs is disrupted, pain occurs on the right side. Diseases of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas are especially dangerous.
Disruption of each of these organs carries its own danger to the body as a whole. The functioning of organs can be disrupted by a number of external and internal factors. If you have pain in your right side, you need to think about what lifestyle you have led recently or in the near future, what you ate, who you came in contact with (socialized). Have you had frequent stress or constant overwork? This can also seriously harm your body and lead to pain in the right side, and not only that.
For example, it sometimes happens that the heart muscle, under the influence of various factors, wastes its strength and, due to the resulting weakness, does not cope well with the function of pumping venous blood. Due to this, the blood remains in the lungs and stagnates. This leads to a lack of breathing. Accordingly, the blood is not processed by the liver and stagnates in it, which leads to swelling of the liver and causes pain in the right side that you feel.
Liver as a cause of pain
Causes of pain in the right side associated with the liver. Swelling of the liver and pain in the right side can be caused by infections, chemical intoxication (excessive alcohol consumption, inhalation of vapors from detergents, cleaning chemicals), it would seem that there is something harmful here? Our daily lifestyle constantly exposes us to chemicals (household detergents) and various types of alcoholic drinks (starting with light alcohol), and all this subsequently leads to disruption of the liver and, as a result, to pain in the right side.
Hepatitis as a cause of discomfort in the right side
If there is pain in the right hypochondrium, this may indicate hepatitis. The liver can be attacked by viruses - this is viral hepatitis, of which there are three main types: A, B, C.
Viral hepatitis type A can be contracted from ingesting water or sewage contaminated with viruses.
Hepatitis B is especially common among homosexuals and drug addicts and people in close contact with them.
Hepatitis C primarily enters the body through contaminated blood transfusions and medical instruments containing blood. Especially common among drug addicts.
The liver can be damaged by various drugs and chemicals. This is how toxic hepatitis develops. Definitely liver damage when drinking large amounts of alcohol. Liver dysfunction can also occur with heart failure. In this case, the heart muscle does not pump blood well. These reasons lead to congestion in the lungs and liver. Thus, the liver stretches and hurts on the right side.
Discomfort due to the gallbladder
Pain can be caused by gallbladder disease. It plays an important role in the body; it stores excess bile produced in the liver, which helps digest food. When a large amount of fatty food enters the body, the gallbladder injects its contents into the intestines.
Infections as causes of pain in the right side. If there is an infection or stones in the gallbladder, then it definitely hurts in the upper abdomen.
Why does the pancreas cause pain?
Causes of pain in the right side due to the pancreas. This is a glandular organ that is located deep in the abdominal cavity. It secretes digestive enzymes, juices and insulin. The pancreas is located in the side from right to left. Its “head” is located in the upper right quadrant. Inflammation of the gland - pancreatitis - leads to acute and unpleasant pain. At risk are people suffering from alcoholism and gallbladder diseases. Attacks due to pancreatitis are extremely painful and are accompanied by nausea, vomiting and profuse sweating. If there are problems with the gland, the pain may radiate to the back. It worsens when lying down, and relief occurs in a sitting position when bending forward.
If you have pain in the lower right side, the first thing you should check is the appendix , and do not rule out its inflammation until another diagnosis is made. Contrary to the belief that appendicitis begins with acute pain, in the early stages this disease causes constant, “aching” pain in the side. In addition, the initial pain may appear in the pit of the stomach or in the upper left. Then the pain intensifies and moves directly to the site of inflammation. Nausea, fever, and vomiting are also symptoms of inflammation of the appendix.
If no measures are taken, “acute abdomen” syndrome may occur - a concept that unites various and dangerous conditions in which there is pain in the lower side. Characteristic signs of this condition are general poor health, acute pain, high fever, and vomiting. In this situation, immediate hospitalization is required.
The right side of the abdomen is divided into 2 quadrants: upper and lower. By localizing pain in a specific quadrant, symptoms of the disease can be diagnosed.
If it hurts in the upper abdomen
In the upper right side there are: the liver and gall bladder, the right part of the intestines and the right part of the diaphragm.
Pain in the right side is likely due to inflammation of the liver, especially if the pain is systematic.
Also, pain in the side can be associated with gallbladder diseases. Rare pain in this part means overeating and an abundance of fatty or spicy foods in the diet. In such cases, you need to stick to the diet for several days. Gallstones can cause severe pain. In this case, emergency surgery may be necessary.
On the right side there is a part of the pancreas, diseases of which can also cause pain. Its inflammation - pancreatitis - usually occurs in people with gallbladder disease. Pancreatitis requires timely treatment, as its advanced cases are difficult to treat. It is necessary to conduct tests and do an ultrasound. An attack of pancreatitis cannot be confused with anything else. It is especially painful and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Pain on the right side can also be caused by kidney disease. If an abscess develops in the kidney or there are stones. Acute pain in the right side, especially if accompanied by nausea and vomiting, requires an immediate call to the ambulance.
Pain in the lower and right side
The lower abdomen contains the appendix, intestines, ureter, and in women the fallopian tubes.
Intestinal infections cause pain in the right side. In such cases, consultation with a doctor and proper medication treatment are required.
Pain in the right side in women can be caused by an ectopic pregnancy. When the fertilized egg remains in the fallopian tube rather than descending into the uterus. Pain may also occur due to torsion of the cyst, possibly a tumor of the fallopian tube or right ovary.
Perhaps such pain on the right is a symptom of various sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or trichomoniasis.
If a woman experiences pain in the right side during menstruation, she may have endometriosis. With constant and chronic pain, the formation of an ovarian cyst or tumor is possible.
This symptom can be caused by a number of reasons, including ulcerative colitis;
herpes is also a cause of pain;
compressed nerve fibers in the lower abdomen cause pain in the side;
movement of stones in the ureter;
parasites (worms in humans, amoebas);
Pain occurs when the intestines are damaged, which can be caused by various types of diseases, including cancer.
Pain in the lower right side is also caused by poor nutrition, intestinal overload, and swallowing large amounts of air while eating and drinking. All this can also cause pain in the lower abdomen, so before loading your intestines with poor quality food and drink, you should first think about the possible consequences.
Of course, you really want to figure out what it is. We are very smart people and have already learned not to trust doctors and going to the clinic, or rather, we simply don’t have time for this in the current intense rhythm of life. So we often look for answers to the question “why does it hurt in the side”, where it will happen and how it will work out. Family and friends can give you advice, or the internet can give you some advice. But…
Having initially felt that it hurts in your side and after some time, if the pain does not subside, do you need to determine what the nature of the PAIN that has appeared and disrupted your usual life is? There is pain in the upper abdomen or in the lower. The pain in the right side can be acute (with any movement there is a sudden feeling of pain, as if cutting with a knife) or dull (prolonged, constant aching pain). Pain in the right side of the abdomen can occur in both the upper right part and the lower right part of the abdomen.
You need to determine all this not in order to self-medicate, but in order to competently and thoroughly answer the doctor’s questions. It is impossible to make a diagnosis on your own when pain occurs.
If the described pain occurs, you should contact a gastroenterologist, surgeon, or infectious disease specialist. Women should make an appointment with a gynecologist. If you suspect acute abdomen syndrome, you must call an ambulance. You should also remember that before a medical examination. Without finding out the cause of the pain in the right side, you should not take any painkillers - to avoid misdiagnosis!
What to do if you have appendicitis?
But let's return to appendicitis. You should not give up this idea right away. If you feel pain in your right side in the lower abdomen, it is best to check everything carefully and clearly. And it’s even better if you find a window in your busy work schedule to go to the clinic and visit a specialist who has not in vain spent many years studying and studying all the symptoms of various diseases. And he is the professional in these matters! It is the doctor who, after listening to your complaints and conducting all the necessary examinations, will make a correct and correct diagnosis.
The appendix is a very serious diagnosis that should be ignored not just to the detriment of oneself, but to the detriment of one’s existence, one’s life. You can brush aside these words and try to determine the causes of pain in the right side on your own. This is quite possible, but you should not tempt fate, because there are people who lost this battle with guesses and paid for it with the most valuable things.
So if you have:
dull aching pain in the right side;
pain that persists for a long time (a time period of about 12 hours or more) hurts the right side in the lower abdomen;
if you can specifically and accurately point with your finger to the place where the pain is concentrated or the pain is localized in the navel area
Immediately contact an ambulance (03, now 103) and see a doctor. And don’t be afraid, because it’s good for you and your body.
So, if the pain in the right side of the abdomen does not stop, but only intensifies over time, after a maximum of 30 minutes you should definitely consult a doctor or call an ambulance. You should not kill the pain by taking strong painkillers, which may interfere with establishing a real diagnosis and correctly adjusting the treatment. In addition, you should not delay too long the moment of seeking help from experienced specialists, because this symptom can affect such important organs as the liver and kidneys, as well as the gallbladder.
You should also call an ambulance if:
after 35 minutes the right side of the abdomen hurts and does not subside;
a feeling of bitterness appears in the mouth and severe vomiting begins;
pain is accompanied by increased body temperature;
pain in the side increases while walking;
pain in the lower abdomen is accompanied by mild fainting and weakness;
if the pain in the right side of the lower abdomen radiates to the lumbar region, and signs of blood appear in the urine;
the right side of the abdomen aches and hurts, which negatively affects the overall health of a person.
What to do before the ambulance arrives?
exclude the use of analgesics and antispasmodics until diagnosis is established;
call an ambulance to your home immediately;
try to remember the circumstances under which these pains in the side are most often observed;
contact your attending physician and describe in detail your sensations and observations so that it is possible to more accurately determine the causes of pain in the right side;
undergo a complete diagnostics of the abdominal cavity of the body.
Dear patients, if you have discovered the slightest aching pain in the abdomen, which repeats regularly and does not subside, do not expect a sad result and do not self-medicate. In this situation, only an experienced doctor can help.
Video: Sergey Agapkin about the causes of pain in the right side
And if the right side hurts below the ribs, then this may indicate a dangerous disease. Pain that is concentrated in the back right side may also indicate problems related to the digestive system. The list of possible diseases that cause pain in the right side, localized in the back, is quite long. Pain in the right side of the lower abdomen often accompanies certain diseases of the genitourinary system.
We will talk about this in more detail today. If the upper right side hurts severely, then most likely this is due to the pathology of organs such as the liver, gallbladder, part of the intestines or diaphragm. But the severity of the pain will depend on what exactly happened to one of these organs. If the pain is severe, then it is very similar to hepatitis.
At the same time, iron begins to decompose in the human body. And this can lead to the death of the patient. The right side also hurts severely due to inflammation of the kidneys. This symptom occurs especially often with nephritis, glomerulonephritis and other inflammatory processes. If a person does not receive medical assistance in a timely manner, the appendix may simply burst and then another disease will occur - peritonitis.
Any pain serves as a warning signal about a malfunction of the body. Therefore, the first thing to do if there is pain in the right side is to examine all internal organs.
Diseases such as appendicitis, gastric perforation, pancreatic necrosis, peritonitis, rupture of a cyst, passage of kidney stones require urgent treatment, most often surgical intervention. Chronic diseases of internal organs, poor nutrition, viral infections, and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to pain in the side of the abdomen. In such cases, pain is associated with meals, medications, physical activity and stress.
Pain in the right side at the back, in the upper part, may be the result of a pinched nerve or problems with the lungs. Aching pain in the right side of the upper abdomen gives rise to examination of the gallbladder and pancreas, especially if accompanied by attacks of nausea and loss of appetite.
If the right side under the ribs hurts for a long time, then it is necessary to examine the liver first - disturbances in the functioning of this organ can cause cirrhosis. Vital organs responsible for the condition of our body are concentrated in the right side. Any deviation in their activities can lead to serious illnesses, so it is best to combine the help of professionals and your own observations.
For example, pancreatic diseases can be caused by problems with the gallbladder. In this case, treatment of the pancreas alone will not bring any results; attacks of pain will continue until the functioning of the gallbladder improves. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to identify the real cause, and only then select a treatment method. Determine for yourself why the pain most often occurs in the right side. If the right side of your abdomen hurts after eating certain foods (fatty, fried, smoked), try to change your diet.
It is possible to prevent the development of serious chronic diseases only if you take the necessary measures at the first symptoms. Lower right abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for patient visits to the emergency department. There are many structures in the right lower abdominal region where it can occur. These internal structures include part of the large intestine (called the cecum), the appendix and ascending colon, parts of the small intestine, the right ovary and fallopian tube, and the right ureter.
The most common cause of pain on the right side, in the lower abdomen, is appendicitis, or inflammation of the appendix. It occurs in about 10% of people and most often occurs between 10 and 30 years of age, although it can occur at any age.
Ovulation pain occurs approximately 2 weeks before your next period, when the egg is released from the ovary. They are relieved by painkillers and rest, but if the pain comes with fever and nausea, infection, then this should be considered as appendicitis.
Kidney stones into the bladder can pass through any part of the urinary tract. This is a very painful process, although it does not cause permanent damage. If a kidney infection is left untreated, it can cause it to spread widely or cause organ damage. Although they are usually harmless and may go away on their own, they can grow larger and cause pain in the lower abdomen.
Lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and pressure on the bladder or rectum may also be associated with its severity or fullness. Tension, bloating, and pressure in the rectum are accompanied by pain. It usually disappears with bowel movements and is not accompanied by additional symptoms. Somehow my back started to hurt and the pain was radiating to my right side. Honestly, I was scared, I thought it was appendicitis.
As a result, now, when I have such pain in the lower back, I apply capsicam, since besides this ointment, no other helps get rid of the pain so quickly. Pain in the right side, manifested from the back, is one of the characteristic signs of pathologies of the respiratory system. Inflammation of the pleura (pleurisy) can be exudative and dry, in both cases it can manifest itself with sharp pain when breathing.
Pneumonia (right-sided pneumonia) is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, wheezing in the lungs, and cough. The intensity of pain varies. Spontaneous pneumothorax causes acute, sudden pain radiating to the scapula. Intestinal colic can also cause pain in this area. You can eliminate it with the help of No-Shpa; it often disappears on its own.
Glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis, kidney abscess and other pathologies are marked by aching, drawing, dull and sharp pain. Renal colic causes acute pain, the same symptom may indicate renal artery thrombosis.
With such a disease, pain usually occurs suddenly, it is sharp and severe. It is traditionally believed that if there is pain in the upper right side, then the liver is to blame, and if it hurts below, then appendicitis. On the right side, under the ribs, there are such important organs as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.