Causes of Pain on the Right Side of Your Body

When pain is only experienced on one side of the body, it can also be called flank pain. Flank pain is commonly felt by adults and usually experienced on the right side of the body. There are many reasons for pain on the side of the body. Treatment usually follows after the source has been discovered. You can refer to the picture below to have a brief idea about the organs that are located on the right side of your body. 

Possible Causes of Pain on Right Side of Body

1. Pain on Right Side of the Back

  • Muscle strain- this is a very common reason for pain on the right side of the body. The back is made up of many muscles that work when you do everyday tasks like bending over, and lifting an object. If you lift something heavy with the incorrect posture, you can strain the muscles involved which will result in pain. The pain will vary according to the degree of damage and it may take days or even months to fully heal. If the pain is severe, consult your doctor who will confirm a diagnosis and give the appropriate treatment.
  • Slipped disc- there are rubbery discs which cushion the bony vertebrae of the spine to absorb any shock generated by a body movement. When one or more of these discs move out of alignment, it is known as a slipped disc. Pain can be centralized or referred only to the right side of the body. Treatment, after consultation with a doctor, can range from surgery to bed rest with analgesics.
  • Bladder infection- this condition commonly causes pain to the right of the back. A bladder infection can cause inflammation to the other elements of the urinary tract like the ureters, urethra and kidneys. This will cause the diffuse pain on the back. The severity of the infection can cause symptoms ranging from a burning feeling while urinating to a pinkish color of urine. Depending on the severity, you can either treat at home with alkalinizing granules or with antibiotics from your doctor's prescription.
  • Kidney stones- minerals that are not flushed away from the body by the urine can crystallize to form kidney stones. This causes an obstruction and results in pain. Treatment can be medication to dissolve the crystals or surgery to remove them. It is best to seek medical attention in this case.

2. Pain on Right Side Under the Ribs

  • Inflammation of the gallbladder- the gallbladder is responsible for digesting fat and is found under the liver. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder which can cause a lot of pain. This severe pain is often accompanied by nausea. Seek medical attention immediately.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)- although the inflammation occurs primarily in the abdomen, pain can be referred to under the ribcage. Seek medical attention for medicines to relieve the pain and prevent a flare-up.

3. Pain on Right Side of Abdominal Area

  • Appendicitis-this occurs when the organ becomes inflamed and fills with pus. The pain on right side of body progressively worsens and requires immediate medical attention.
  • Endometriosis-this condition entails endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus, like in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. As the tissue grows, it causes pain which may be restricted to the right side of the body.
  • Ectopic pregnancy-occurs when the fertilized egg fails to move and implant into the uterus. It can get stuck in the fallopian tubes, which can result in severe right side pain. Medical attention is required to safely remove the embryo.
  • Ovarian cysts-cysts develop onto the ovaries, growing in size over time. This can occur due to hormonal imbalances. These cysts can rupture, leading to infection of the abdominal region. Seek medical attention for treatment.

4. Pain on Right Side of the Chest

  • Costochondritis- this is the inflammation of the cartilage that connect the ribs to the sternum (breastbone). This can be caused by various reasons, including physical activity performed incorrectly.
  • Conditions that affect the liver- these cause pain in the chest. These conditions may be liver cancer, fatty liver disease and liver cysts.
  • Anxiety- chest pain either centralized or to one side can be a symptom of an anxiety attack. Anxiety can easily be treated after proper assessment by a medical professional.
  • Viral infection- viruses can cause chest pain, e.g. the common cold or influenza. Coughing a lot due to the virus can also cause your breathing muscles to ache. 

Other People's Experiences on Pain on Right Side of Body

"I have been having pain on the right side of my body, including my back and arm. My neck is also affected and so are the fingers on my right hand. There is constant numbness and tingling if I use my right hand to do any activity. I also get very bad headaches often. I have recently noticed a tender spot at the base of my neck. My doctor suggested I have an MRI and nothing serious was found except for some mild tendonitis. The doctors have picked up on some nerve damage that runs down my right arm. My symptoms now include memory loss and confusion. All these symptoms without positive diagnosis have made me very frustrated."

"I feel some weakness and pain on right side of body. I have been to 4 doctors who cannot diagnose my symptoms. One doctor suggested multiple sclerosis. I live a very healthy life and eat only healthy foods. I hope this helps heal my body soon."

 
 
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