Dull Pain Right Side Abdomen

You need to analyze the pain. There are many organs that lie in the right side abdomen. These include the right sided colon, appendix, right ovary in females, liver, gall bladder, right kidney. The pain may be coming of any of them.

If the pain is severe, it’s recommended you visit a doctor urgently for diagnosis. It could be an inflamed organ lying in the right abdomen requiring immediate surgery.

Common Causes

Appendicitis

Appendix is a slender tube like structure attached to the right sided colon. It lies in the lower right abdominal area.

This structure is believed to be linked with gut immunity. As our diets changed to more refined kind, the organ lost its functionality and became vestigial.

Very commonly, food particles may get entrapped in this slender tube like structure and start decay. This may lead to a condition called Appendicitis, that is, inflammation of the appendix.

Appendicitis may be acute or chronic.

Symptoms

  • Dull pain near the navel is usually the first symptom and is seen in around half the cases of this condition. The pain may be in the lower or upper abdominal area, however confining to the right side.
  • As the pain increases in severity, in may move downwards towards the right side.
  • Pain may be followed by nauseating feeling or vomiting.
  • Loss of appetite is observed.
  • Gastric disturbances may be associated. Patient may be constipated, in most cases, or have diarrhea.

If you have any of these symptoms, better get yourself checked up at the earliest. Avoid taking any laxatives, enemas, anta acids or heavy meals. These may cause the inflamed appendix to rupture. Also, avoid using heating pads for the same reason.

Intestinal gas

Gas is produced in our gut when any of the food stuff taken is not digested completely. It may be present anywhere in the gut.

You feel a knotted sensation in your tummy. Gas may give you a dull to sharp pain.

Relief is felt after passing out wind or burping.

Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz)

If you are a lady, and the pain has occurred around the 14 day of your cycle, this is very likely to be ovulation pain.

This pain is associated with the release of egg from the ovary. Since eggs are released alternately from both the ovaries, this pain may occur on the right side during a month, and on the left side during the next month. So, location of pain changes monthly.

Pain is in the lower abdomen, extending downwards into the pelvic region. It may be dull to severe. Severe pain may be associated with vomitings.

Why Does This Pain Occur?

When the egg is released from the ovary, some fluid and blood is also expelled out into the abdominal cavity. This blood and fluid may irritate the inner lining of abdominal cavity to give pain. As the fluids gets absorbed, pain subsides.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

This condition is also confined to females . Occurs commonly in females who are in reproductive age group.

PID occurs when any of the female reproductive structure gets infected. The ovary or the tubes are common among the affected ones.

Pelvic Inflammatory Condition is identified by other associated symptoms. You may have fever and a foul smelling vaginal discharge that marks the presence of infection.

Hernia

Hernia is protrusion or a small part of the gut from a weak focus in the abdominal wall.

Our abdominal musculature is strong and forms a sort of wall, holding back all organs lying inside the abdominal cavity. Any focus of weakness in this wall may lead to hernia.

Hernia is painful and often a bulge or swelling may be seen over the abdomen.

The bulge increases when lifting weight, coughing, laughing or doing anything that puts a pressure on the abdominal muscles.

Gastric upsets, mainly constipation, is often associated.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Having a Dull Pain on Right Side Abdomen

  1. Shree

    Hi doctor
    I am having pain in right side of stomach four fingers distance from rib cage. normally I am not experiencing any pain. But when I touch there with my right thumb or any object came to touch in that area then I feel pain. The pain is a sharp one.

    About 8months before I went to doctor because of this pain . At that time the pain was even worse. I experience pain when I finish my meal and when I have to go bathroom. Sonography was done and everything thing was normal in report.
    Doctor said that it is because of gas and written some tablets.
    Now I am having pain when I am touching there with my thumb.

    About 40 days before I had mosquito byte type itchy bumps all over the body. For three weeks they are coming and going at different places. They come in packs like 7to8 on leg ,5to6on hand.

    I have left underarm pain and I sometimes have dull pain in left ear and left side of the throat.
    I went to ent and he said no need worry.

    Now I am again having mosquito byte type itchy bumps on stomach. They just popped out. About 15.
    Is there any relation between all these.
    Are these bumps are symptoms of anything.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      These appear to be independent problems, no relation.

      You seem to be suffering from seasonal allergies. An anti histaminic pill may be taken for relief.

      Reply
  2. Shree

    Thank you for your reply.
    Why i am getting the pain in stomach. Is it because of gas.
    Even now and then I am getting one or two itchy bumps. Is it ok with that.
    How can I know that the pain is of gas or any other thing.

    Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          Alright. Self examine yourself. Lie down with legs folded at your knee joints. Your abdomen in now soft and ready to palpate.

          Press fingers on the right side below your rib cage to feel if there is any swelling? Do you feel any hard or firm structure there? if yes, how big is it?

          Reply
    1. John

      Have had serious gas problem for yrs. Belching btreaking wind a lot taking gas pills constantly for past two years. I’m 86 yrs old have had a colitis attack 2 yrs ago.constipatio if not taking medicine or eating wrong food just advised 2 months ago to take miralac everyday and drink a lot of water. Helped with constipation but still have gas . Pain under right side below rib for 2 was mostly when bending or twisting body nothing when sitting

      Reply
      1. Buddy M.D. Post author

        Avoid food stuff that produce gas, like beans, excess tea, coffee or alcohol, garlic etc. Daily walking for atleast half an hour in morning and half an hour in evening may help.

        Right sided pain may indicate some inflammation in organs lying below. This could be your colon. It could be swelled or inflamed again. Diagnosis requires investigations.

        Reply
  3. Zack

    Hello Dr, I have a dull pain in my right upper abdomen somewhere near the ribcage. It’s not unbearable but I am worried bc it’s been there for five days and yesterday my right side felt a little sore. I’m scare it might be gallstones but I don’t have any fever or nausea and it’s not a “sudden or sharp pain” as the internet says. I’m trying to avoid going to the hospital unless I need to bc of covid. But I will if it needs to be checked.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Any relation of pain with food intake? Does it worsen or gets better after having a meal? Your age?

      A sudden sharp pain may be a stone in the gall bladder. Such pain often radiate towards the back. Sonography is done to detect them.

      Else, it could be a muscular twitch. These pains are perceived superficially and go away with time.

      Reply
  4. Bruce

    Hi Doctor,

    I have experienced dull pain coming from the right side of abdomen and three fingers distance below the xiphoid process, the pain could come on any time of the day, but lately it happens at night and during sleep, the best way I could describe the pain is a bit like throbbing and a few seconds between each beat, what do you think the problem is? Many thanks!

    Reply
  5. Bruce

    No digestion problem or heartburn, no underlying disease, age 35, average weight. The discomfort would sometimes be completely gone for a few days then come back and persist for a week or so. Could it be some kind of blockage in some organ? Many thanks!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Common organs that may give problems on the right side include your liver, intestines or kidney. Since you are not having any other associated symptom, it would be difficult to comment further without a physical exam.

      Let your gut be trouble free. Avoid being constipated.

      This could also be a muscular pain coming form inside. If you do some stretching exercises, let it be gradual and gentle.

      Reply
      1. Bruce

        I visited my GP and had a physical exam, the doctor felt my abdomen and said they were fine.
        I eat healthy and have no constipation.
        I do regular light workouts like jogging, squats and yoga. Can it be caused by sitting posture? My upper body is straight but it’s about 20 degrees rotated anti-clockwise when sitting at desk.

        Reply
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    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    Judy
    I am early nineties , and have a pain in my right side one inch from navel an two inches from waist, it is not always there, but more often than before. moved slightly sideways yesterday and it started the pain off again,
    I have very bad rectal wind which is fairly new, I don’t understand that , thanks for any
    help you can give me

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Looks like your muscle in that region is contracting and giving you the pain. it may be protecting some underlying organ.

      Diagnosis requires a visit to the doctor and thorough physical exam.

      Reply
  8. Anonymous

    I have been experiencing a full pain that comes and goes for months now. I have had a ct scan and ultrasound done, as well as a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Nothing came up and no polyps the pain is always in the same spot. Any ideas as to what I can be dealing with? I’m wondering if I have a hepatic flexure or possibly something more?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Can you let us know the exact location of pain, when is it more sever, any relation with food? Also, any digestion problems?

      Reply
  9. Laura Hunter

    Having chronic diarrhea for several days in a row and then it goes away only to return after a day or two of relief. Doesn’t appear to be food or diet related. Material resembles the consistency of toothpaste, narrow and soft. Diameter of a pen. Not explosive & no constipation. Occurs frequently during day, maybe every 20 -30 minutes for a few hours and then settles down. Usually occurs an hour after eating.

    Reply

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