Pain in the abdominal region can be a pain that spreads around the entire area or a pain that originates and stays in a particular area. For reference purposes, the abdomen is imaginarily segregated into four quadrants in discussing these pains. The four quadrants include upper right and left sides, and lower left and right sides.
Pain in lower right abdomen area can be caused by a number of causes. Having a good understanding of the types of pains that can manifest with different underlying causes will help remedy the pains with or without medical assistance depending on the condition.
Symptoms of Lower Right Abdominal Pain
The symptoms associated with varying causes of pain in the lower abdomen include constipation, abdominal swelling, excessive gas buildup, vomiting, and nausea, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, and fever. Some additional symptoms may include vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, pain during urination, back pain, blood in the stool, and blood in urine. These symptoms may indicate serious conditions as kidney disorders and kidney stones.
Causes of Pain in Lower Right Abdomen
Diagnosing abdomen pain can be quite difficult due to the myriad of reasons that are associated with such pain. The cause can be a negligible muscular inflammation or an infection in one of the organs contained within the abdominal cavity. It can also be a major ailment or disease that has life threatening implications. Hence, it is important to get a proper diagnosis of what is causing any pain in the abdomen. The following are some of the commonly attributable reasons that cause lower right abdominal pain.
- Constipation. Constipation can cause lower right abdominal pain as bowel movements are disrupted. Some cases of constipation can be remedied with dietary changes by including high fiber foods. A high volume of fluid intake can also help reduce incidents of constipation. Laxatives can be prescribed by a physician to help sever cases.
- Appendicitis. The first signs of appendicitis emerge with minor pain around the umbilicus and the belly button followed by progressing pain to the lower right side of the abdomen. Additional symptoms such as a high fever, vomiting and reduced appetite will accompany this condition which is a medical emergency.
- Bowel Cancer. This is a rare type of cancer, which occurs mostly in elderly people. Symptoms are change in bowel habits, loss of weight, and loss of appetite.
- Ectopic Pregnancy. An abnormal conception can take place where the embryo is embedded in the tubes instead of the womb. The condition is characterized by sever pains followed by vaginal bleeding.
- Hernia. Right sided hernia can trigger lower right abdominal pain if the protrusion occurs in the right side stomach wall. Symptoms are swelling of the abdomen, bowel obstruction, bloating of the stomach and vomiting.
- Endometriosis. abdomen pain can also be caused by the presence of womb tissue outside the womb. Such tissue growth can be in the left or right tube, first part of the large bowel or in the ovary. For those suffering from this condition, menses can trigger severe pain in lower abdominal region. A gentle swelling may also appear.
- Kidney Stones. This condition can cause excruciating lower right abdominal pain when the stones are in the kidney or urethra. The pain can spread to the loin areas, especially when the need to urinate sets in.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. It occurs in women when the womb is tilted to the right. This can trigger persistent abdominal pain, especially after sitting in constricted positions for long hours. Feeling of mild fever, vaginal discharge, and pain during intercourse can also occur as a result.
- Mesenteric Lympadenitis. This is a frequent occurrence in children. The pain in the abdomen is usually followed by a swelling in the neck gland and cold symptoms. The pain can move from one place to another. Symptoms also include pain in the lower right abdomen.
- Salpingitis. This occurs in women who are sexually active with multiple partners. When the tube is infected, a pain may erupt from the infected side causing a vaginal discharge followed by fever and pain during intercourse.
- Ulcerative Colitis. This is a disease affecting the large bowel. Symptoms appear over a long period. Some of the symptoms are weight loss, blood in the stool, lower right abdominal pain, and ulcers around the anus.
Treatment of Pain in Lower Right Abdomen
When abdominal pain occurs, it is important to monitor the severity, the changes in intensity of pain, and the duration of pain. Any cyclical pattern to the pain should be observed and noted. Whether a certain action such as consumption of food, sneezing, sitting down for long periods, or bowl functioning is causing the pain should also be observed. A good description of the pain to the doctor will help make a proper diagnosis or to prescribe the right tests. Depending upon the prognosis of the condition, various prescription drugs will be assigned. It is also likely that certain lifestyles and dietary changes are advised for certain conditions such as constipation and kidney stones. In worst case scenarios, surgical intervention may be required to correct a disorder or remove a certain part of the body that has infected, ruptured, or in need surgical removal.
If you experience severe pain in the lower right abdomen, for a prolonged period of over 12hrs or experience sharp, excruciating pain that has no respite, contacting a doctor immediately can save your life.
