Gastritis Pain in Right Side: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
What causes gastritis pain in the right side. How is gastritis diagnosed. What are the common symptoms of gastritis. How is gastritis treated. Can gastritis lead to other health complications. Is gastritis a chronic condition. What dietary changes can help manage gastritis.
Understanding Gastritis and Right Upper Quadrant Pain
Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, can cause discomfort in various parts of the abdomen, including the right upper quadrant (RUQ). While gastritis is often associated with pain in the upper central abdomen, it’s not uncommon for symptoms to manifest on the right side, leading to confusion with other conditions affecting organs in this area.
The right upper quadrant houses several vital organs, including the liver, gallbladder, part of the stomach, and portions of the small and large intestines. When experiencing pain in this region, it’s crucial to consider gastritis among other potential causes to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Key Organs in the Right Upper Quadrant
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Part of the stomach
- Portions of small and large intestines
- Right kidney
- Part of the pancreas
Common Symptoms of Gastritis
Gastritis can present with a variety of symptoms, some of which may be localized to the right upper quadrant. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment.
Does gastritis always cause pain? Not necessarily. While pain is a common symptom, some individuals may experience gastritis without significant discomfort. The severity and location of symptoms can vary from person to person.
- Burning or gnawing sensation in the upper abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating and feelings of fullness
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, sometimes localized to the right side
- Black, tarry stools (indicating possible gastrointestinal bleeding)
Causes of Gastritis and Right-Sided Abdominal Pain
Gastritis can be triggered by various factors, some of which may also contribute to right-sided abdominal pain. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment and prevention of recurrence.
Common Causes of Gastritis
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Stress
- Autoimmune disorders
- Bile reflux
- Viral or bacterial infections
Can stress cause gastritis pain in the right side? Yes, stress can exacerbate gastritis symptoms, potentially leading to pain that may be felt in the right upper quadrant. Stress-induced gastritis is often accompanied by other stress-related symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Other Conditions Causing Right Upper Quadrant Pain
When experiencing pain in the right upper quadrant, it’s important to consider other potential causes alongside gastritis. These may include:
- Gallbladder issues (e.g., gallstones, cholecystitis)
- Liver problems (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis)
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney stones or infections
- Peptic ulcers
- Pneumonia affecting the lower right lung
Diagnosing Gastritis and Right-Sided Abdominal Pain
Accurate diagnosis of gastritis, especially when presenting with right-sided abdominal pain, requires a comprehensive approach. Healthcare providers employ various diagnostic tools and techniques to identify the underlying cause and rule out other conditions.
Diagnostic Procedures
- Physical examination and medical history review
- Blood tests to check for anemia, inflammation markers, and H. pylori antibodies
- Stool tests to detect H. pylori or occult blood
- Upper endoscopy with biopsy
- Imaging studies (e.g., CT scan, ultrasound) to evaluate other abdominal organs
- Urea breath test for H. pylori infection
How is gastritis diagnosed when the pain is on the right side? Diagnosing gastritis with right-sided pain involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. The healthcare provider will assess symptoms, perform a physical examination, and may order additional tests to rule out other conditions affecting the right upper quadrant.
Treatment Options for Gastritis
The treatment of gastritis aims to address the underlying cause, alleviate symptoms, and promote healing of the stomach lining. The approach may vary depending on the severity and specific cause of the condition.
Medications
- Antacids to neutralize stomach acid
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acid production
- H2 blockers to decrease acid secretion
- Antibiotics for H. pylori eradication
- Antinausea medications
- Cytoprotective agents to protect the stomach lining
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Can dietary modifications help manage gastritis pain in the right side? Yes, making certain dietary and lifestyle changes can significantly improve gastritis symptoms, including right-sided pain. These modifications include:
- Avoiding trigger foods (e.g., spicy, acidic, or fatty foods)
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques or therapy
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding lying down immediately after meals
Complications and Long-Term Outlook of Gastritis
While many cases of gastritis resolve with appropriate treatment, some individuals may experience complications or develop chronic gastritis. Understanding the potential long-term implications is crucial for effective management and prevention of serious health issues.
Potential Complications
- Gastric ulcers
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Increased risk of stomach cancer (particularly with chronic H. pylori infection)
- Pernicious anemia (in autoimmune gastritis)
- Malnutrition due to decreased nutrient absorption
Is chronic gastritis a serious condition? Chronic gastritis can be serious if left untreated. It may lead to complications such as ulcers, bleeding, and an increased risk of stomach cancer. Regular monitoring and appropriate management are essential for preventing these complications.
Preventive Measures and Self-Care Strategies
While not all cases of gastritis can be prevented, adopting certain lifestyle habits and self-care strategies can help reduce the risk of developing the condition or experiencing recurrent symptoms.
Preventive Measures
- Practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of H. pylori infection
- Use NSAIDs responsibly and under medical supervision
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Manage stress through healthy coping mechanisms
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
Self-Care Strategies for Symptom Management
How can individuals manage gastritis symptoms at home? Several self-care strategies can help alleviate gastritis symptoms and promote healing:
- Keep a food diary to identify and avoid trigger foods
- Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation
- Elevate the head of the bed to reduce nighttime reflux
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid pressure on the abdomen
- Explore natural remedies like chamomile tea or ginger (with medical approval)
- Practice mindful eating and chew food thoroughly
When to Seek Medical Attention
While mild cases of gastritis may resolve with self-care and over-the-counter treatments, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Recognizing these warning signs is crucial for preventing serious complications and ensuring timely intervention.
Emergency Signs and Symptoms
- Severe, persistent abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
- Black, tarry stools
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- High fever
- Severe nausea and inability to keep fluids down
Should individuals with chronic gastritis have regular check-ups? Yes, individuals with chronic gastritis should undergo regular medical check-ups. These follow-ups allow healthcare providers to monitor the condition, assess treatment effectiveness, and screen for potential complications such as ulcers or early signs of stomach cancer.
Importance of Follow-Up Care
Regular follow-up care is essential for individuals with gastritis, especially those with chronic forms of the condition. Follow-up appointments may involve:
- Reassessment of symptoms and treatment efficacy
- Adjustment of medications if needed
- Endoscopic examinations to monitor healing and check for complications
- Discussion of lifestyle modifications and their impact
- Screening for potential long-term complications
Understanding gastritis, its symptoms, and potential complications is crucial for effective management and prevention of serious health issues. While right-sided abdominal pain can have various causes, gastritis should be considered as a potential culprit. By recognizing symptoms, seeking timely medical attention, and adopting appropriate lifestyle modifications, individuals can effectively manage gastritis and minimize its impact on their overall health and well-being.
As research in gastroenterology continues to advance, new treatments and preventive strategies may emerge, offering hope for improved outcomes for those affected by gastritis. Staying informed about these developments and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers are key steps in ensuring optimal management of this common yet potentially serious condition.
What Causes RUQ Pain? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Sanjay Ponkshe on May 06, 2023
- What Is RUQ Pain?
- Symptoms Associated with Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Causes of Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Treatment for Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Emergency Signs of Right Upper Quadrant Pain
Several health conditions can cause pain in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of your abdomen.
Pain in your abdomen can be hard to diagnose because it holds so many organs. Doctors describe your abdomen in sections or quadrants to help find the organs that might be the cause of any health problems.
The right upper quadrant, or the RUQ, has many important organs that affect your health. It’s important to pay attention to pain in this area. These include:
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Large intestine
- Small intestine
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Right kidney
To find your RUQ, look down at your belly and imagine a vertical line through the center.
Then imagine a second horizontal line across your belly. This divides your abdomen into four sections. The upper right section near your ribs is the right upper quadrant.
Depending on the organ involved, you might have many different symptoms along with the pain in your abdomen. These might include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swelling in your abdomen
- Yellow skin
- Blood in your stool
- Tenderness in your abdomen
- Pain when you take a breath
You might experience different kinds of pain. Most of the time, pain in your abdomen is minor and simply a discomfort. Depending on the organ and the condition, sometimes these can be serious.
Severe abdominal pain. Acute and severe pain comes on very quickly. This kind of sudden pain usually means something serious is happening.
Visceral pain. This pain comes from your organs, which are called the viscera. Visceral pain is a response to your organs stretching or the surrounding muscles contracting.
Visceral pain is usually:
- Dull
- Vague
- Nauseating
- Hard to pinpoint
Referred pain. Sometimes problems with organs in your abdomen might cause pain in a different part of your body. For example, a problem with your gallbladder might cause pain in your abdomen but also in your right shoulder. This is called referred pain.
Somatic pain. This kind of pain comes from nerves responding to a problem in the abdominal cavity. You have a membrane that lines your abdomen called the peritoneum. The nerves here can respond to irritation or cutting. This usually gives you very sharp pain that’s easy to pinpoint.
This kind of pain is usually caused by infections in your organs. Liquids leak out and irritate the lining, causing pain and a condition called peritonitis.
There can be several causes for right upper quadrant pain. The most common causes include:
- Gallbladder problems
- Gallstones
- Cholecystitis
- Kidney problems
- Infection
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infection
- Cancer
- Pancreas problems
- Pancreatitis
- Peritonitis
- Stomach problems
- Peptic ulcers
- Indigestion
- Gastritis
- Liver problems
- Infection
- Abscess
- Inflammation
In some cases like indigestion and gastritis, this might cause mild symptoms like burping, gas, bloating, and pain.
This can be caused by eating certain foods and may be minor.
Other conditions like sudden pancreatitis and peritonitis are serious and might cause sudden and severe symptoms.
The cause of your pain will determine the kind of treatment you get.
Your doctor will do different tests to determine the cause. This might include a physical examination where they feel and tap your abdomen. This is called palpating.
They will feel your abdomen for masses, if you involuntarily contract your muscles during touch, if the muscles stay tight even when they’re not being touched, or if you flinch with pain. They will also look for how sensitive you are to touch. If you have these signs, you might have peritonitis.
Your doctor might also do other tests, including:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Ultrasound
- Blood test
- Urine tests
These tests can help look for inflammation and swelling in your organs. Urine tests will help identify kidney stones or infections.
Your doctor will treat you depending on what these tests show. You might receive:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Antacids for indigestion
- Surgery to remove stones
- Hospitalization for surgery and to receive fluids
- Pancreatic enzymes for pancreas support
- Pain relievers
It’s a good idea not to take pain relievers, though, until you figure out what’s causing the problem. Pain relievers can sometimes mask a more serious condition, which could harm your health.
Pain in the right upper quadrant can be a sign of a serious health condition. If you have the following symptoms, you should go to the hospital right away:
- Severe pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Low blood pressure
- Swelling in your abdomen
- Pain that makes you double over
- Pain that gets worse when you touch your abdomen
- Throwing up blood
- Throwing up what looks like coffee grounds
If you don’t have emergency signs but have pain and other symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as you can.
Top Picks
What Causes RUQ Pain? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Sanjay Ponkshe on May 06, 2023
- What Is RUQ Pain?
- Symptoms Associated with Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Causes of Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Treatment for Right Upper Quadrant Pain
- Emergency Signs of Right Upper Quadrant Pain
Several health conditions can cause pain in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of your abdomen.
Pain in your abdomen can be hard to diagnose because it holds so many organs. Doctors describe your abdomen in sections or quadrants to help find the organs that might be the cause of any health problems.
The right upper quadrant, or the RUQ, has many important organs that affect your health. It’s important to pay attention to pain in this area. These include:
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Large intestine
- Small intestine
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Right kidney
To find your RUQ, look down at your belly and imagine a vertical line through the center. Then imagine a second horizontal line across your belly. This divides your abdomen into four sections. The upper right section near your ribs is the right upper quadrant.
Depending on the organ involved, you might have many different symptoms along with the pain in your abdomen. These might include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swelling in your abdomen
- Yellow skin
- Blood in your stool
- Tenderness in your abdomen
- Pain when you take a breath
You might experience different kinds of pain.
Most of the time, pain in your abdomen is minor and simply a discomfort. Depending on the organ and the condition, sometimes these can be serious.
Severe abdominal pain. Acute and severe pain comes on very quickly. This kind of sudden pain usually means something serious is happening.
Visceral pain. This pain comes from your organs, which are called the viscera. Visceral pain is a response to your organs stretching or the surrounding muscles contracting. Visceral pain is usually:
- Dull
- Vague
- Nauseating
- Hard to pinpoint
Referred pain. Sometimes problems with organs in your abdomen might cause pain in a different part of your body. For example, a problem with your gallbladder might cause pain in your abdomen but also in your right shoulder. This is called referred pain.
Somatic pain. This kind of pain comes from nerves responding to a problem in the abdominal cavity.
You have a membrane that lines your abdomen called the peritoneum. The nerves here can respond to irritation or cutting. This usually gives you very sharp pain that’s easy to pinpoint.
This kind of pain is usually caused by infections in your organs. Liquids leak out and irritate the lining, causing pain and a condition called peritonitis.
There can be several causes for right upper quadrant pain. The most common causes include:
- Gallbladder problems
- Gallstones
- Cholecystitis
- Kidney problems
- Infection
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infection
- Cancer
- Pancreas problems
- Pancreatitis
- Peritonitis
- Stomach problems
- Peptic ulcers
- Indigestion
- Gastritis
- Liver problems
- Infection
- Abscess
- Inflammation
In some cases like indigestion and gastritis, this might cause mild symptoms like burping, gas, bloating, and pain. This can be caused by eating certain foods and may be minor.
Other conditions like sudden pancreatitis and peritonitis are serious and might cause sudden and severe symptoms.
The cause of your pain will determine the kind of treatment you get.
Your doctor will do different tests to determine the cause. This might include a physical examination where they feel and tap your abdomen. This is called palpating.
They will feel your abdomen for masses, if you involuntarily contract your muscles during touch, if the muscles stay tight even when they’re not being touched, or if you flinch with pain. They will also look for how sensitive you are to touch. If you have these signs, you might have peritonitis.
Your doctor might also do other tests, including:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Ultrasound
- Blood test
- Urine tests
These tests can help look for inflammation and swelling in your organs. Urine tests will help identify kidney stones or infections.
Your doctor will treat you depending on what these tests show.
You might receive:
- Antibiotics for infections
- Antacids for indigestion
- Surgery to remove stones
- Hospitalization for surgery and to receive fluids
- Pancreatic enzymes for pancreas support
- Pain relievers
It’s a good idea not to take pain relievers, though, until you figure out what’s causing the problem. Pain relievers can sometimes mask a more serious condition, which could harm your health.
Pain in the right upper quadrant can be a sign of a serious health condition. If you have the following symptoms, you should go to the hospital right away:
- Severe pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Low blood pressure
- Swelling in your abdomen
- Pain that makes you double over
- Pain that gets worse when you touch your abdomen
- Throwing up blood
- Throwing up what looks like coffee grounds
If you don’t have emergency signs but have pain and other symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as you can.
Top Picks
gastritis. pain in right side.
gastritis. pain in the right …
#1
But do an ultrasound of the liver.
#2
#3 9Guest
I have pain in my right side and in the middle of my stomach, tomorrow I will go for an ultrasound .
Assign en week course of treatment and blood and stool tests.
#8
#9
Guest
right side hurts – I went to the gastroenterologist. .. Inflammation of the blind and large intestine from taking antibiotics.
A week’s course of treatment and blood and stool tests are scheduled.
#10
Guest
my right side hurts – I went to the gastroenterologist. .. Inflammation of the blind and large intestine from taking antibiotics.
A week’s course of treatment and blood and stool tests are scheduled.
#11
#12
#13
#14
Katya
I’ve had pain on the right side since I was 22 ((((I don’t know what I have there.
Now I’m 35, it always hurts in different ways, sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left, sometimes in the center, sometimes it twists all over the stomach, and pulls you to the toilet.I think the intestines are troublesome…
#16
Ivan
Hello Pavel! Did you manage to solve the problem?
#17
Andrey
Hello, please help me figure out my problem.
#18
Urgently donate blood for the presence of hepatitis (all types), ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract, and pay attention to the color of urine 9Attention
#20
PAVEL
Hello, please help me sort out my problem. I am a 34-year-old man, for more than a year I have been suffering from a wild burning sensation in the esophagus (heartburn) and discomfort in the right hypochondrium, a burning sensation as if something is pulling in the middle, sometimes it looks like well, somewhere inside, just below the ribs on the right, All this horror began a year ago and continues every day.
It saves one medicine, nolpaza, or omeprozole, (malox almagels do not help at all), but if I drink a nolpaza pill in the morning, then I can live the day is more or less normal, then all these symptoms disappear, but as soon as I stop taking this drug, exactly a day later everything comes back, it starts with feeling warm just above the abdomen, and after burning in the esophagus, and wild burning in the right hypochondrium, but from the side of the back, it bakes, sometimes it seems that on the entire right side right up to the shoulder blade …. especially after eating, and it doesn’t matter what I eat, even after oatmeal and water, I endure this for two days and start drinking nolpaza, and then everything calms down at once … I gave a bunch of tests for markers for hepatitis … (they didn’t find it) I’ve already been on ultrasound 10 times, THEY SEE ONLY A SMALL STAGGER OF BILE AND EVERYTHING, THE PANCREAS IS NORMAL, THE LIVER IS NORMAL, THE KIDNEYS ARE NORMAL, .. .. I swallowed a probe with a camera, moreover, 2 times (fibrogastroduodenoscopy), the conclusion was gastroduodenitis, and esophagitis.
Helicobacter bacterium was not detected, they also did not see a diaphragmatic hernia of the esophagus, gave feces for worms, (not found) …. NO CONSTIPATION, BUT feces CONSTANTLY LIGHT YELLOW, PRACTICALLY NEVER BROWN, (MAYBE BECAUSE OF DIET?) SOMETIMES IN THE MORNING IT IS LITTLE NOSIS, BUT I HAVE NEVER VOMITED …. I DO NOT USE ALCOHOL AT ALL ALREADY 2 YEARS, I STOP SMOKING 3 YEARS AGO. TELL ME HOW TO CURE THIS ILLNESS HANDS ARE ALREADY DOWN, DIETS DID NOT HELP, CHOLOGICAL DRINKING, NOLPAZU I DRINK A YEAR BUT ESOPHOGIT WAS NOT PASSED, ALL SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN FOR A MAXIMUM TWO DAYS … PLEASE HELP TO COME WITH THE ILLNESS PLEASE LIVE WHAT TO DO .. THE DOCTORS HAD BUT POSITIVE RESULTS NO TREATMENT
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Pain in the right hypochondrium in front or behind: causes and treatment
Pain in the right hypochondrium can be associated with various conditions caused by damage to the liver, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder.
What is the right hypochondrium? If you mentally “divide” the anterior abdominal wall into four parts (draw a vertical line, and then a horizontal line at the level of the navel), its upper quarter on the right side will be the right hypochondrium (or upper quadrant). Many important organs are located in this part, including the liver, gallbladder, the upper pole of the right kidney with the adrenal gland, the bend of the ascending and transverse colon. Since the abdominal organs are supplied with nerves from the spinal cord, pain in the right hypochondrium may be associated with pathologies of organs of another localization: pancreas, stomach, etc.
Causes of pain in the right hypochondrium
Acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) is the most commonly diagnosed cause of pain in the right hypochondrium. It is characterized by prolonged (more than 4-6 hours) pain in the right hypochondrium and epigastrium (upper abdomen), bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
Biliary colic (or hepatic colic) is a characteristic clinical manifestation of cholelithiasis, less often – biliary dyskinesia. It is characterized by severe pain in the right hypochondrium or epigastrium with irradiation to the right shoulder blade, collarbone, shoulder, neck; an attack of biliary colic can be confused with an attack of angina pectoris. Accompanied by bloating, nausea, vomiting, increased sweating. The attack lasts from 30 minutes to several hours, if it lasts longer, the development of a complication is likely – acute cholecystitis.
Acute cholangitis (inflammation of the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts) is accompanied by severe pain in the right hypochondrium, a sharp increase in temperature, chills, increased sweating, jaundice. As the pathological process develops, nausea, vomiting join, confusion may be noted. The disease may have atypical manifestations in the elderly or immunocompromised patients.
Dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi (dysmotility of its structures and patency of the bile and pancreatic ducts) is characterized by recurrent pain in the right hypochondrium or epigastrium, radiating to the back or shoulder blade.
An attack of high intensity, usually occurs at night, often 2-3 hours after a meal, lasts 30 minutes or more, may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, intolerance to a particular food (most often fatty).
Acute hepatitis (hepatitis A, alcoholic, drug) is characterized by pain in the right hypochondrium, loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, jaundice.
Liver abscess (limited cavity in the liver filled with pus) is characterized by dull, aching pain in the right hypochondrium radiating to the right shoulder blade or shoulder. The condition at different stages may be accompanied by fever, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, increased sweating, tachycardia, jaundice, weight loss, ascites.
Other causes of pain in the right hypochondrium include: liver cancer, preeclampsia, Budd-Chiari syndrome, portal vein thrombosis, urinary tract infections, liver, kidney, pancreatitis, indigestion, gastritis.
When should I see a doctor for pain in the right hypochondrium?
If you experience pain in the right hypochondrium for several days or more, make an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause.