The stomach is one of the most common areas for pain to originate. Children get tummy aches frequently, and adults get stomachaches. But stomachaches can mean different things. There are many organs in the stomach that can have trouble; get infected or inflamed. One way for doctors to identify what organ the pain is stemming from is to locate the area of the pain.
Types of Stomach Pain
There are several organs in the stomach that can be the cause of stomach pain--the liver, the spleen, the kidneys, the appendix and the bowel. A doctor needs to know where the pain is so he can deduce which organ may be the cause of the pain. There are typically four quadrants in the abdomen a doctor will check; upper and lower right quadrant and upper and lower left.
Symptoms From Right Abdominal Pain
Problems with the right abdomen can produce a number of symptoms. These can be quick to come on, depending which organ is affected. Many stomach problems that cause right abdominal pain can cause nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool, blood in the urine, blood in the vomit, trouble breathing, backache and pain radiating to different areas of the stomach or back.
Organs on the Right Side of the Abdomen
The right side of the stomach houses the liver, the gallbladder, the pancreas, the right kidney, the right ureter, the right ovary in women, as well as the right fallopian tube, the duodenum, the appendix, the right adrenal gland, and the right part of the large intestines. Muscles of the right abdominal wall also are a consideration.
Tests
There are several tests that can be done to determine the cause, or etiology, of right abdominal pain. The doctor normally will first palpitate the different quadrants of the stomach. He may order a blood test to determine white blood count, which can mean infection. He will probably order a scan; which can be either an abdominal ultrasound, a cat scan, or both. He may even decide to do an MRI, which is a more in depth scan.
Warings About Right Stomach Pain
Stomach pain should never be taken lightly. If stomach pain comes on suddenly or worsens, you should seek immediate medical attention, especially if there is blood in the stool, or the urine, and if the pain is accompanied by a fever. Stomach pain, because there can be so many causes, should not be something thata person tries to diagnose herself or ignore.
