It is not just that you sometimes get a cramp or a dull ache in your abdomen; it is a message. The location of stomach pain is significant since the right and left sides indicate different organs and diseases.
It is particularly informative that you complain of pain in your right side. The presence of sharp, severe pain in the lower right quadrant is a typical symptom of appendicitis and requires urgent medical assistance. Pain in the right side, upper right corner may relate to your liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts, and may be either mild or severe.
The first step is to get yourself a basic map of your abdomen. It also allows you to explain your symptoms to the doctor more precisely, and he/she can locate the cause and determine the appropriate treatment. We shall see what it could be to have pain on either side.
What Organs Are on Your Right Side?
It is also important to know the organs that are located on the right side to understand the possible cause of abdominal pain. There are a number of key systems in this region.
Primary Right-Side Organs
Your right side contains key digestive and filtering organs, including:
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Bile ducts
- Small intestine
- Large intestine (colon)
- Right kidney
- Appendix
Location and Function
There is your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and some of your small intestine, as well as the large intestine, in your upper right abdomen. At the back of these are your right kidney. You have an appendix that is located in your lower right abdomen.
Learning this fundamental anatomy provides helpful background information when you speak to a physician, as pain in the various quadrants indicates various organs.
Right-Sided Abdominal pain: Possible causes
When you feel pain in the right side of your stomach, it’s usually related to a specific organ in that region. Here are the most likely causes, based on whether the pain is in your upper or lower abdomen.
Upper Right Abdominal Pain
- Gallbladder Problems: This is normal. Sharp, intense pain follows the intake of fatty food and is caused by gallstones or inflammation. The pain usually radiates to the back or the shoulder.
- Liver Problems: Diseases such as hepatitis or fatty liver cause a dull to severe ache or ache in the upper right just under the ribs.
Lower Right Abdominal Pain
- Appendicitis: It is a medical emergency. The pain begins vague and then shifts to the lower right. It is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever. Go to the doctor right away.
- Kidney Stones: These are also capable of moving with sharp, cramping pain in the lower right.
Other Possible Causes
- Diverticulitis: Not common on the right; however, it may occur particularly in certain groups.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): May result in general cramping, which is more pronounced on the right.
What Organs Are on Your Left Side?
Your abdomen has a number of significant organs on the left-hand side that are mainly involved with digestion, filtering, and blood cell work.
Primary Left-Side Organs
Your left side houses important digestive and systemic organs, including:
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Large intestine (descending and sigmoid colon)
- Pancreas (tail)
- Left kidney
Location and Function
The pancreas tail, your stomach, and your spleen are located on your upper left abdomen. In the lower left is the large intestine, particularly the descending and sigmoid colon. These are covered in the back by your left kidney.
Left Side Stomach Pain: Common Causes
Pain on your left side typically points to different organs than pain on the right. Here are the most common sources of left-sided stomach pain.
Lower Left Abdominal Pain
- Diverticulitis: This is a very common cause. Colon inflammation presents with ever pain on the lower left.
- Constipation: With extreme backing, cramping, and discomfort in the lower left is likely to occur.
- IBS: In many cases, cramping or sharp pains are experienced here, accompanied by alterations of bowel habits.
Upper Left Abdominal Pain
- Pancreatitis: This causes a lot of pain, which may extend to the left or back.
- Splenic Problems: Splenic pain, an enlarged or ruptured spleen, is located in the upper left.
Pain That Can Radiate to the Left Side
- Kidney Stones: It can also cause extreme pain that begins in the flank and goes to the lower left.
Treatment Options for Left or Right Side Abdominal Pain
Treating abdominal pain isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends entirely on the underlying cause diagnosed by your doctor after evaluating your abdominal pain symptoms. Here are the typical treatment pathways.
Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments
Simple changes can be effective in cases of ordinary causes that are not urgent. Most of the time, drinking more water and consuming more fiber helps relieve constipation pain. To relieve pain associated with food, identify and eliminate culprit foods, spicy, fatty, or dairy-density foods.
Medication-Based Treatments
Drugs are aimed at particular issues. Physicians can prescribe acid reflux and painkillers to treat kidney stones. In cases of bacterial infections, such as certain cases of diverticulitis or kidney infections, then it is a course of antibiotics.
Surgical Interventions
Certain conditions require surgery. In appendicitis, the appendix has to be removed. Gallstones are severe, and in this situation, they cause the removal of the gallbladder. Surgery may also be required for large kidney stones that cannot be able to pass.
Abdominal Pain: When should you see a doctor?
Not every stomach pain requires a trip to the clinic, but knowing the warning signs is critical. Ignoring certain symptoms can allow a manageable condition to become a serious emergency.
Red Flags Requiring Immediate Care
Get emergency assistance because your pain is:
- Extravagantly intense and abrupt.
- Fever, chronic vomiting, or bloody diarrhea.
- Difficulty breathing, chest pains.
- Becoming more and more serious or going behind you or to your shoulder.
These symptoms usually indicate issues such as appendicitis, perforated ulcer, or severe pancreatitis that require urgent attention.
For Persistent or Concerning Pain
In case of persistent or persistent pain on either side that does not pass in a day or two, visit a gastroenterologist. It is also dangerous to guess the cause because it could be a curable infection, such as diverticulitis, or a chronic condition, such as IBS, which requires the assistance of a professional.
Conclusion
Continuous pain, bowel issues, or any alarm bells indicate that expert attention is required in your body. When patients need the best gastroenterologist in Ahmedabad, they should have a practice with a high-quality diagnosis and with a warm attitude.
Dr. Ishan Shah has a reputation for being the gastroenterology specialist, and he prepares detailed examinations to identify the cause of your stomachache. It is about providing a clear picture of your state and a unique plan of long-term digestive health.
Do not allow unaccounted pain to ruin your life. When you have worrying abdominal pain, you owe it to yourself to take the next step toward understanding and relief and see a reputable professional.
