Pain on the right side of the body, especially when moving, can range from mild discomfort to a sharp sensation. This common experience has many potential origins, from minor issues to serious underlying conditions. Understanding the pain’s characteristics, like its location and how movement affects it, helps identify the cause.
Common Reasons for Right Side Pain
Many instances of right-sided pain exacerbated by movement stem from less severe, often temporary conditions. These frequently involve the musculoskeletal system or the digestive tract. Such discomfort often improves with rest or simple home care.
Muscle strains or sprains are a frequent cause of pain on the right side. The intercostal muscles, located between the ribs, can become strained from activities like sudden twisting, coughing, or repetitive motions, leading to sharp pain that worsens with deep breathing or movement. Similarly, abdominal muscle strains, often from overuse or sudden exertion, can cause localized pain that increases when the affected muscles contract or stretch.
A side stitch, or exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), is another common cause. This pain often occurs in the lower ribcage or mid-abdomen on the right side during physical activity like running or horseback riding.
Gastrointestinal issues like trapped gas or constipation can also cause right-sided abdominal pain. Gas buildup leads to bloating, pressure, or sharp pain, which may worsen with movement. Constipation can cause discomfort in the lower right abdomen, with pain increasing during straining.
Minor rib injuries or bruising often heal with time. These can cause localized tenderness that is more noticeable with movement or pressure.
Potentially Serious Causes
Some causes of right-sided pain with movement can indicate more significant medical conditions involving various organs. The location of the pain and accompanying symptoms often provide clues to the underlying issue. These conditions typically warrant prompt medical evaluation.
Appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix (a small pouch in the lower right abdomen), commonly causes pain that starts around the belly button before shifting to the lower right abdomen. This pain worsens with movement, coughing, or jarring motions.
Gallstones or cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) can cause pain in the upper right abdomen, where the gallbladder is located just under the liver. This pain may radiate to the back or right shoulder. Movement, especially deep breaths or certain body positions, can aggravate this pain.
Kidney stones or kidney infections can cause flank pain, felt on the side or back below the ribs, which may extend towards the abdomen or groin. Kidney stone pain can be severe and come in waves, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. While kidney pain itself may not always worsen with movement, the overall discomfort can be intensified.
Liver issues, such as hepatitis or an abscess, can cause pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen. Inflammation or enlargement of the liver can lead to a dull ache or pressure that may be felt more with certain movements.
Pneumonia or pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining) can cause sharp chest pain on the right side. This pain is often exacerbated by deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, or torso movement.
A hernia, particularly an inguinal hernia in the groin or abdominal wall, can cause a bulge and pain. The discomfort often worsens with straining, lifting, or movement that increases abdominal pressure.
For women, certain gynecological conditions can cause right-sided pain. An ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, can cause sharp lower abdominal pain, often localized to one side, that may worsen with movement. This condition requires urgent medical attention. Ovarian cysts or ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary) can also cause sudden, sharp lower right abdominal pain that intensifies with movement.
When to Seek Professional Medical Care
Recognizing when right-sided pain requires professional medical attention is important. While many causes are minor, certain warning signs indicate the need for prompt evaluation. Seeking medical advice is particularly advisable if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by additional symptoms.
Immediate medical attention is necessary for sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening pain on the right side. Pain accompanied by a high fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting suggests a potential infection or serious internal issue. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing alongside right-sided pain also warrants urgent medical assessment.
Other concerning symptoms include blood in the urine or stool, which could indicate kidney problems or gastrointestinal bleeding. Pain that follows a recent trauma or injury should also be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Any right-sided pain that does not improve with rest or basic home remedies, or that significantly interferes with daily activities, should prompt a consultation with a doctor.
Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment
When seeking medical care for right-sided pain, a healthcare provider will begin by gathering a detailed medical history and conducting a physical examination. This initial assessment helps narrow down the potential causes of the pain.
Following the physical exam, various diagnostic tests may be ordered depending on the suspected cause. Blood tests can help identify signs of infection or inflammation, while urine tests can detect kidney issues or urinary tract infections. Imaging studies, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans, provide detailed views of internal organs and structures, helping to visualize conditions like appendicitis, gallstones, or kidney stones.
Treatment for right-sided pain is directly tailored to the underlying cause. For musculoskeletal issues like muscle strains, treatment often involves rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and sometimes physical therapy to restore function. Gastrointestinal problems such as gas or constipation may be managed with dietary adjustments, increased fluid intake, and medications to promote digestion or bowel regularity.
More serious conditions require specific medical interventions. Infections, including kidney infections or pneumonia, are typically treated with antibiotics. Conditions like appendicitis, severe gallstones, or hernias often necessitate surgical intervention to remove or repair the affected organ or tissue. In cases of ectopic pregnancy, treatment may involve medication or surgery to prevent life-threatening complications.