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why does my right side of my stomach hurt

Pain on the right side of your stomach can come from many different causes, ranging from mild (like gas or indigestion) to serious (like appendicitis or gallstones). Because abdominal pain can sometimes signal an emergency, it’s important to pay attention to how the pain feels, where it’s located, and what other symptoms you have.

Common harmless causes

These often cause cramping, bloating, or discomfort that comes and goes.

  • Gas or bloating – Trapped intestinal gas can cause sharp, crampy pain on the right side, often after eating or with constipation.
  • Indigestion or heartburn – Fatty or large meals, alcohol, or coffee can trigger burning or dull pain in the upper abdomen, sometimes felt more on the right.
  • Constipation or IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome or simple constipation can cause right‑sided cramps, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
  • Muscle strain – Heavy lifting, exercise, or sudden twisting can pull abdominal muscles and cause localized soreness that worsens with movement or pressing.

More serious possible causes

These usually need medical evaluation, especially if the pain is sudden, severe, or getting worse.

  • Appendicitis – Pain often starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right side , becoming sharper and constant; it can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.
  • Gallstones – Causes upper right abdominal pain , often after fatty meals; pain may radiate to the back or shoulder and can come with nausea, vomiting, or jaundice (yellow skin/eyes).
  • Kidney stones or infection – Kidney stones cause intense, wave‑like pain in the flank or lower right side , sometimes with blood in the urine; infections add fever, burning when you pee, and nausea.
  • Liver or pancreas issues – Liver inflammation or pancreatitis can cause dull or severe upper‑abdominal pain , sometimes radiating to the back, with nausea, vomiting, or jaundice.

When to seek urgent care

Go to an emergency room or call a doctor right away if you have any of these:

  • Sudden, very sharp or severe right‑sided abdominal pain.
  • Pain that won’t let you sit still or makes you double over.
  • Fever, vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, or blood in vomit or stool.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, very dark urine, or trouble breathing.
  • Pain that started suddenly and keeps getting worse over hours.

Quick self‑check questions to help you

Try to answer these (mentally or with someone) to better describe the pain to a doctor:

  • Is the pain upper (below ribs) or lower (near pelvis) right side?
  • Does it feel like cramping, burning, stabbing, or dull aching?
  • Did it start after a meal, exercise, or period?
  • Are you having fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or painful urination?

What you can do now

  • If the pain is mild and clearly linked to gas, food, or muscle strain , rest, drink water, and avoid heavy/fatty meals for a few hours.
  • Avoid self‑medicating with strong painkillers (like high‑dose NSAIDs) until a cause is known, especially if the pain is severe or you’re unsure.
  • If the pain is moderate and persistent for more than a few hours , or you’re worried at all, contact a healthcare provider or urgent‑care clinic.

If you tell me where exactly the pain is (upper vs lower right), how long it’s been going on, and any other symptoms , I can help you narrow down likely causes and whether it sounds more like something urgent or something you can monitor. Bottom line : Right‑side stomach pain is common and often not dangerous, but appendicitis, gallstones, and kidney problems can be emergencies , so don’t ignore sudden, severe, or worsening pain.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.