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What Causes Pain In Right Side Of Lower Abdomen?
Question: I have pain for almost a week in my roght lower abdomen. Just a very slight fever today for the first time. What could be wrong?
Brief Answer:
Not enough information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
pain in the right lower abdomen is not very specific. I'll present some potential diagnoses but I'll also ask some questions that may help identify the most possible cause.
- acute appendicitis: the pain usually starts from the center of the abdomen and moves to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen after some hours. When left untreated, fever may appear (usually low-grade). Loss of appetite is very common.
- inflammatory bowel diseases: usually accompanied by diarrhea and fever.
- hernias: no fever
- gynecologic causes (ovaries etc)
- urinary tract problems (stones, infections)
- tumors
Let me ask now:
- did the pain start from the right lower abdomen? Does it radiate somewhere?
- other symptoms? Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, urinary symptoms etc
- other medical problems? Drugs? Surgical operations?
- is the pain constant or does it come and go? Describe the intensity of the pain? Is there anything that makes it better or worse?
I'll be waiting for your answers.
Just an advice till then. Avoid using two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Use one of them only. The second won't have additive effect but will increase the risk of side-effects.
Kind Regards!
Not enough information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
pain in the right lower abdomen is not very specific. I'll present some potential diagnoses but I'll also ask some questions that may help identify the most possible cause.
- acute appendicitis: the pain usually starts from the center of the abdomen and moves to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen after some hours. When left untreated, fever may appear (usually low-grade). Loss of appetite is very common.
- inflammatory bowel diseases: usually accompanied by diarrhea and fever.
- hernias: no fever
- gynecologic causes (ovaries etc)
- urinary tract problems (stones, infections)
- tumors
Let me ask now:
- did the pain start from the right lower abdomen? Does it radiate somewhere?
- other symptoms? Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, urinary symptoms etc
- other medical problems? Drugs? Surgical operations?
- is the pain constant or does it come and go? Describe the intensity of the pain? Is there anything that makes it better or worse?
I'll be waiting for your answers.
Just an advice till then. Avoid using two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Use one of them only. The second won't have additive effect but will increase the risk of side-effects.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis, Yes, the pain did start from there, but I have felt it other places as well. Most often there.
I never had this before, and did think I was constipated so for the first time ever I took a laxative - I did get some relief - from the discomfort I was also feeling.
No other medical problems. I did lose 80 lbs this past year, and my weight loss was stalled so I took Dexatrim for about two weeks. I had stopped already prior to the pain about 36 hours or so.
It comes and goes, I am not good with pain so I feel it is bad but likely not that intense. Maybe a 6. When sitting upright and not moving, no pain - stand up and it is back. I cannot sleep or lie down at all. Pressure on belly is not good. Thank so very much for your time Sir.
I never had this before, and did think I was constipated so for the first time ever I took a laxative - I did get some relief - from the discomfort I was also feeling.
No other medical problems. I did lose 80 lbs this past year, and my weight loss was stalled so I took Dexatrim for about two weeks. I had stopped already prior to the pain about 36 hours or so.
It comes and goes, I am not good with pain so I feel it is bad but likely not that intense. Maybe a 6. When sitting upright and not moving, no pain - stand up and it is back. I cannot sleep or lie down at all. Pressure on belly is not good. Thank so very much for your time Sir.
Brief Answer:
Probably intestinal pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Pain that moves from one location to the other on the abdomen is usually related to the bowels. If you have a history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) you are prone to pain like this.
Individuals without a positive history can also feel pain of bowel origin due to constipation or excessive gas which can be elicited by psychological stress or certain foods. Too much caffeine may sometimes cause similar symptoms. The fever is not justified by any of these conditions though.
Since you're having this pain for so long I think that a clinical encounter is an unprecedented way to find out what's wrong. The doctor can search for signs that would differentiate between an acute abdomen or a less urgent condition, like sounds from bowel movements (or no sounds!), tense abdominal muscles (guarding) etc.
Your fever makes me worry the most because certain inflammatory conditions can start with pain and then fever may ensue (appendicitis, inflammatory bowel diseases etc). Blood tests for inflammatory markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, white blood cell count, hematocrit etc would have helped a lot. Your symptoms are not leading to a single diagnosis, so more investigation is warranted.
I hope I've helped you.
If (when) you have more clinical or laboratory data, I'll be glad to comment on them.
And if you need more answers, please use your follow-up question.
Best wishes for your heatlh!
Probably intestinal pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Pain that moves from one location to the other on the abdomen is usually related to the bowels. If you have a history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) you are prone to pain like this.
Individuals without a positive history can also feel pain of bowel origin due to constipation or excessive gas which can be elicited by psychological stress or certain foods. Too much caffeine may sometimes cause similar symptoms. The fever is not justified by any of these conditions though.
Since you're having this pain for so long I think that a clinical encounter is an unprecedented way to find out what's wrong. The doctor can search for signs that would differentiate between an acute abdomen or a less urgent condition, like sounds from bowel movements (or no sounds!), tense abdominal muscles (guarding) etc.
Your fever makes me worry the most because certain inflammatory conditions can start with pain and then fever may ensue (appendicitis, inflammatory bowel diseases etc). Blood tests for inflammatory markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, white blood cell count, hematocrit etc would have helped a lot. Your symptoms are not leading to a single diagnosis, so more investigation is warranted.
I hope I've helped you.
If (when) you have more clinical or laboratory data, I'll be glad to comment on them.
And if you need more answers, please use your follow-up question.
Best wishes for your heatlh!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I would please like to ask you one more question. What do you think about this? I woke up this morning and the pain is almost gone - just alittle achy now as if I strained myself. No fever but I only had that late in the day for the past two days and it was 99.6 at its highest. I did take Aleve about 6 1/2 hours ago to help me to sleep, since lying down has been difficult. Do I just sit completely still all day today and hope it truly is going away?
Brief Answer:
You can't be sure yet
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may hide the fever and the pain.
Since you've taken one just a few hours ago, you can't be sure that fever is gone. The same applies for the pain.
Your last description about the pain made me thoughtful. I don't know if I understood well, but was the pain present only when moving? If it only appears with certain moves then it could also be a muscular problem, although this does not at all justify fever.
Anyway, if the pain is not really gone (you'll know if 24h have past without symptoms or fever), then I suggest you arrange for a clinical encounter and laboratory investigation.
If you require further guidance on this, please ask for the details you need.
I'll be glad to help.
Kind Regards!
You can't be sure yet
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may hide the fever and the pain.
Since you've taken one just a few hours ago, you can't be sure that fever is gone. The same applies for the pain.
Your last description about the pain made me thoughtful. I don't know if I understood well, but was the pain present only when moving? If it only appears with certain moves then it could also be a muscular problem, although this does not at all justify fever.
Anyway, if the pain is not really gone (you'll know if 24h have past without symptoms or fever), then I suggest you arrange for a clinical encounter and laboratory investigation.
If you require further guidance on this, please ask for the details you need.
I'll be glad to help.
Kind Regards!
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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