A “stitch” or right-sided pain can feel like a sharp, cramping, or aching sensation in the abdomen. It can occur unexpectedly, even without physical activity. While often harmless, such pain can indicate underlying conditions. Understanding these causes helps determine when it’s benign or requires further attention.
Common Digestive Explanations
Right-sided abdominal discomfort often stems from trapped gas. Gas forms as bacteria break down food or from swallowing air. When stuck under the liver, it can cause sharp, stabbing pain. Bloating, stomach cramps, or fullness may also accompany this.
Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is another frequent cause of right-sided pain. It involves upper abdominal discomfort: burning, bloating, or early fullness. This can stem from certain foods, eating habits, or stress.
Constipation, characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements, can contribute to right-sided abdominal pain. Hard, difficult-to-pass stool creates pressure and discomfort in the intestines, causing pain or cramping in the lower right abdomen. This pain often resolves after a bowel movement; common signs include hard stools, straining, or incomplete evacuation.
Specific Organ System Concerns
Right-sided pain can also signal specific organ issues, necessitating medical evaluation.
Gallstones, small hardened deposits in the gallbladder, can cause sudden, intense pain in the upper right abdomen, often after fatty meals. This pain, known as biliary colic, can radiate to the back or shoulder blade, and may include nausea or vomiting. If a gallstone blocks a bile duct, it can lead to cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation, causing persistent, severe pain, fever, and jaundice.
Appendicitis, an inflamed appendix, commonly presents as pain beginning around the navel and shifting to the lower right abdomen. The pain worsens over 12 to 24 hours, becoming sharp and constant, and may be exacerbated by movement, coughing, or sneezing. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and a low-grade fever often accompany the pain. Immediate medical attention is required as an inflamed appendix can rupture.
Kidney stones or infections (pyelonephritis) affecting the right kidney can cause significant right-sided pain. Kidney stone pain is often sharp, severe, and colicky, originating in the back or side and radiating to the lower abdomen or groin. This pain comes in waves and may be accompanied by blood in the urine, frequent urination, nausea, or vomiting. A kidney infection, caused by bacteria from the urinary tract, can also lead to pain in the back or side, often with a fever, chills, and painful or frequent urination.
Musculoskeletal and Nerve-Related Causes
Right-sided pain resembling a stitch can sometimes originate from the body’s structural components, rather than internal organs.
Muscle strains in the abdominal wall or side, even from minor movements, poor posture, or coughing, can cause localized pain. This discomfort often worsens with specific movements or when pressed. The pain is typically sharp or aching, feeling superficial compared to deeper organ pain.
Nerve impingement, such as intercostal neuralgia, involves irritation or compression of nerves between the ribs. This can result in sharp, burning, or shooting pain following the nerve’s path, potentially manifesting on the right side of the chest or upper abdomen. The pain may be triggered by light touch, deep breaths, or certain movements, distinguishing it from internal organ issues. Such nerve pain can sometimes be mistaken for a stitch due to its sudden, localized nature.
Referred pain is another possibility: discomfort felt on the right side but originating elsewhere. For instance, issues in the spine or diaphragm can project pain to the abdominal area. This type of pain can be challenging to pinpoint as its source is not directly where the sensation is felt. These musculoskeletal and nerve-related pains often respond to rest, gentle stretching, or applying heat or cold.
When to Seek Medical Guidance
While many instances of right-sided pain are benign, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical evaluation. Seek medical guidance if the pain is severe, rapidly worsening, or persistent for over a few days. Accompanying symptoms such as fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss are concerning signs.
Serious indicators requiring urgent medical assessment include:
Persistent nausea or vomiting, particularly if blood is present or vomit resembles coffee grounds.
Changes in bowel habits, such as black, tarry stools, or blood in stool or urine.
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
Difficulty swallowing.
Lightheadedness or dizziness accompanying the pain.