Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Sharp Pain In Upper Right Abdomen?
Question: Hi Doctor:
Have a question? I experienced sudden sharp pain in my upper right abdomen which lasted approximately 45 minutes and then disappeared. It was very sharp and sudden. I had diarrhea x 3 after this, then pain subsided. Could this pain be related to gas. Never happened before. I do drink prune juice daily and have loose bm.
Have a question? I experienced sudden sharp pain in my upper right abdomen which lasted approximately 45 minutes and then disappeared. It was very sharp and sudden. I had diarrhea x 3 after this, then pain subsided. Could this pain be related to gas. Never happened before. I do drink prune juice daily and have loose bm.
Brief Answer:
Ultrasonography and Barium studies and Colonoscopy
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
It looks you have a previous problem with ''gases'' not yet diagnosed.
The sudden sharp pain in the upper right abdomen can be due to few things:
-Biliary colic, meaning a stone in the gall bladder or its ducts can cause such a pain.
-Spasms related to the small or large intestines, related with a stricture or excessive formation of ''gas'' causing pseudo-obstruction.
This can be diagnosed easily by:
-Ultrasonography of the abdomen helps in gall stones and related to bile ducts, pancreas and liver. Ultrasonography is not of much use for visualization of the conditions of small and large intestines.
-Colonoscopy can see for any mass or stricture (narrowing), ulcers and so on. If the lesion is found, it can be biopsied too for more accurate diagnosis.
-Enteroclysis (Barium Studies) for the small and the large intestines can really help to get you the better diagnosis.
-You may please stop prune juice for the time-being and use another laxative only if you really required it.
I hope this answer helps to get you the most probable diagnosis and get you the plan for a proper treatment.
In the meantime you can have Probiotics, Activated charcoal tablets and multivitamins.
Please feel free if you have further queries or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Ultrasonography and Barium studies and Colonoscopy
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
It looks you have a previous problem with ''gases'' not yet diagnosed.
The sudden sharp pain in the upper right abdomen can be due to few things:
-Biliary colic, meaning a stone in the gall bladder or its ducts can cause such a pain.
-Spasms related to the small or large intestines, related with a stricture or excessive formation of ''gas'' causing pseudo-obstruction.
This can be diagnosed easily by:
-Ultrasonography of the abdomen helps in gall stones and related to bile ducts, pancreas and liver. Ultrasonography is not of much use for visualization of the conditions of small and large intestines.
-Colonoscopy can see for any mass or stricture (narrowing), ulcers and so on. If the lesion is found, it can be biopsied too for more accurate diagnosis.
-Enteroclysis (Barium Studies) for the small and the large intestines can really help to get you the better diagnosis.
-You may please stop prune juice for the time-being and use another laxative only if you really required it.
I hope this answer helps to get you the most probable diagnosis and get you the plan for a proper treatment.
In the meantime you can have Probiotics, Activated charcoal tablets and multivitamins.
Please feel free if you have further queries or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor for a great/detailed response. I had an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound approx 6 months ago and a colonoscopy 4 months ago. US revealed fibroid tumors; colonoscopy benign polyp which was removed. US said gallbladder pancrease liver all good. Maybe its the prune juice. I do drink it every day and usually results in loose bowels. I do have IBS with constipation. My right side of the abdomen alongside the belly button swells at times when lying flat I feel it. I am very thin which would probably make it easier to feel. This does not happen often. This was the original reason why I went to get it checked out. When I pass gas the swelling goes down. Its the strangest thing. Maybe stopping the prune juice would help.
Brief Answer:
Stopping prune juice may help
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
I have already detailed the possible reasons and the investigations which can help us to get the proper diagnosis.
IBS-C itself can be the reason for such problems, but the organic (anatomical) cause has to be ruled out.
If the investigations are normal, you can go ahead with treatment of IBS and everything will be fine.
Stress and / or anxiety is one of the most common cause of IBS; if you can tackle it by medicines and / or natural ways of Meditation, change of lifestyle, change of places and the routines can help you the most.
Fibroids can not be the reason of your symptoms.
Stopping the prune juice and any other foods and beverages which you must have noted to cause such a problem may also help to solve the problem.
I shall be very happy to get your feedback on all these aspects.
Wishing you an early and complete recovery,
Stopping prune juice may help
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.
I have already detailed the possible reasons and the investigations which can help us to get the proper diagnosis.
IBS-C itself can be the reason for such problems, but the organic (anatomical) cause has to be ruled out.
If the investigations are normal, you can go ahead with treatment of IBS and everything will be fine.
Stress and / or anxiety is one of the most common cause of IBS; if you can tackle it by medicines and / or natural ways of Meditation, change of lifestyle, change of places and the routines can help you the most.
Fibroids can not be the reason of your symptoms.
Stopping the prune juice and any other foods and beverages which you must have noted to cause such a problem may also help to solve the problem.
I shall be very happy to get your feedback on all these aspects.
Wishing you an early and complete recovery,
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
