
What causes pain in the right side of the colon?
The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as:
- ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum.
- Crohn’s disease, which typically causes pain around the belly button or on the lower right side of the abdomen
- diverticulitis, which causes sigmoid colon pain
What pain on your right side could mean?
Sometimes, the cause of pain on the right side isn’t connected with an organ but could be caused by stress, anxiety, or damage to the nerves or muscles in your chest. Of course, many people are worried about a heart attack or angina if they suffer sudden sharp pains in their chest.
What does a constant pain in right side mean?
What can cause pain in the lower right side abdomen?
- Urinary tract infection. ...
- Possible pregnancy. ...
- Pelvic inflammatory disease. ...
- Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz) or midcycle spotting. ...
- Ovarian torsion. ...
- Ovarian cyst. ...
- Normal variation of constipation. ...
Why you may be experiencing right side abdominal pain?
What can cause pain in the lower right side abdomen?
- Abdominal causes. Abdominal causes may be a result of digestive processes. ...
- Inflammatory causes. Inflammation of the bowels or organs of the abdomen may result in pain. ...
- Other causes. Other causes may result in abdominal pain, such as the following. ...

What does right colon pain feel like?
Inflammation, irritation, and obstruction in the colon can all cause pain, which a person will typically feel as abdominal pain. Possible causes of colon-related abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colorectal cancer.
When should I be worried about right side pain?
If you notice pain (especially on your right side), fever, vomiting and loss of appetite, get emergency medical attention.
What does the right side of the colon do?
The right side of the colon is known as the ascending colon. It pushes digesting food up the right side of the abdomen before it travels across the middle and down the left side toward the anus.
What does it mean if your colon hurts?
Pain in your colon may be caused by a temporary issue like an infection or a common condition like lactose intolerance. In some cases, colon pain may be a sign of a serious illness, such as irritable bowel disease or diverticulitis. The pain can vary in location depending on what's causing it.
Where do you feel colon pain?
Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially in the lower abdomen and on the left side, is common with colon spasms. The pain can vary in its intensity with each spasm. Gas or bloating. These signs may occur any time of the day, regardless of diet.
What organ is on your right side that can cause pain?
If your appendix becomes inflamed, it causes appendicitis. This appendage is located where the small and large intestines meet, on the right side of the body, and therefore causes right side abdominal pain.
Where are most colon cancers located?
Almost all colon cancers start in the lining of the colon and rectum. When doctors talk about colorectal cancer, this is usually what they are talking about. There is no single cause of colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.
What part of the colon do most cancers occur?
The sigmoid colon is the most common site for cancer of the colon. Rectal carcinoma is the most common cancer of the lower gastrointestinal tract. One of the determining factors for preservation of the anus is how close the tumor is to the sphincter.
How do you know if you have a colon infection?
Inflamed colon symptoms include diarrhoea with or without blood, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, nausea, fatigue, weight loss and bloating, among others. Intestinal infections continue to be a cause of worry for many patients and their families.
Can your colon hurt on right side?
It may be challenging to know when pain is coming from the colon. The colon is located in the abdomen and runs up the right side, across the abdomen, and down the left side. For that reason, pain coming from the colon could cause pain in different parts of the abdomen.
What foods irritate the colon?
There are certain foods that can contribute to inflammation in the colon. Red meat, fried foods, refined sugar and carbohydrates, alcohol and coffee can all contribute to inflammation.
What can I take for colon pain?
Medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl) can help relieve painful bowel spasms. They are sometimes prescribed for people who have bouts of diarrhea. These medications are generally safe but can cause constipation, dry mouth and blurred vision.
What could be wrong if your right side hurts?
Pain on the right side of the abdomen can be caused by conditions such as appendicitis, hernia, kidney issues, reproductive system issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, or even gas. There are many possible reasons for discomfort in your right abdominal region.
What are the early warning signs of appendicitis?
SymptomsSudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower abdomen.Sudden pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen.Pain that worsens if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements.Nausea and vomiting.Loss of appetite.More items...•
How do you check for appendicitis at home?
0:551:32Belly Examination & Palpation for Appendicitis Video: Michael FinkYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to locate the navel in the ASIS to determine McBurney's point it is roughly halfway betweenMoreYou want to locate the navel in the ASIS to determine McBurney's point it is roughly halfway between those two landmarks. Place your finger midway between the sis on the right side and the navel.
Does appendicitis pain come go?
Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go. Within hours, the pain travels to your lower right-hand side, where the appendix is usually located, and becomes constant and severe. Pressing on this area, coughing or walking may make the pain worse.
Why does my colon hurt?
When your colon is healthy, it will efficiently remove the waste your body no longer needs. However, when your colon is unhealthy, it can result in a variety of painful problems. The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as: ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part ...
What causes pain in the sigmoid colon?
ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum. Crohn’s disease, which typically causes pain around the belly button or on the lower right side of the abdomen. diverticulitis, which causes sigmoid colon pain.
How to treat a swollen colon?
Reduce your intake of certain foods. The first step in treating colon pain is to modify your diet to see if you can reduce inflammation and find relief. Certain foods contribute more to inflammation, including: red meat. fried foods. refined sugar and processed carbohydrates.
What causes pain in the lower left side of the abdomen?
irritable bowel syndrome, which most frequently causes pain in the lower left abdomen. colorectal cancer, which rarely causes abdominal pain.
How to stop bowel movement?
Dehydration can contribute to hard, painful stools and slow, blocked bowel movements. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to maintain proper hydration.
How to treat colon pain?
Adjust your lifestyle. The second step in treating colon pain is to make other lifestyle changes, eliminating behaviors that adversely affect colon health, such as: cigarette smoking. excessive sitting/sedentary work environment. lack of exercise.
What is the colon?
The colon is part of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive tract. After food has been broken down in the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine, indigestible food matter is passed through the colon.
Why does my colon hurt?
Pain in your colon may be caused by a temporary issue like an infection or a common condition like lactose intolerance. Colon pain is hard to pinpoint. Usually, you will have abdominal pain and symptoms that suggest your GI tract is the culprit.
What causes colon pain?
Pain in your colon may be caused by a temporary issue like an infection or a common condition like lactose intolerance.
How often does IBS cause pain?
Every type of IBS causes abdominal pain at least once a week. The pain usually occurs with bowel movements, and it may decrease afterwards. It’s not known what causes IBS, but research suggests that communication to the brain and gut plays a role.
What causes bowel movements to change?
Constipation. Diarrhea. More frequent stool (more than 3 times a day) or less frequent stool (less than 3 times a week) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the gut that causes intestinal pain and changes in your bowel movements.
What is it called when you have a pouch in your intestine?
Diverti culitis is an inflammation of diverticula pouches, which form when areas of your intestines become weak. (Simply having these diverticula is called “ diverticulosis .”) The pouches can develop in any part of the intestine but are most common in the lower part of your large intestine (the sigmoid colon).
What is the bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammation of the intestines caused by abnormal immune system activity. There are two types of IBD: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD).
How long is the colon?
It’s about 5 to 6 feet long and travels up the right side of your abdomen, across the top, and down the left side. It absorbs water and nutrients and expels waste. Segments of the colon include the cecum (which connects to the small intestine), the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon ...
Why does my right side hurt?
There are muscles and rib joints in this area that can become injured and inflamed. Besides, the lower lobe of the right lung extends into these quadrants and can create pain due to pneumonia, clotting and aggravated pleurisy. Below are some of the common problems related with the pain.
Where is the pain on the right side of the body?
Gallstones. Gallstone attacks are often mistaken for heart attacks as the pain is located on the right hand side of the body, under the ribs and radiates up to the shoulder blade . Before an attack, there may be pain in that area, or centered across the two upper quadrants that appears to be tied to eating as well.
What is it called when you have a sore on your right side?
These sores can bleed and are also sometimes called a perforated stomach ulcer. IBS - Irritable bowel syndrome has become easier to diagnose and is recognized as one of the most common causes of the complaint “I have a pain in my right side.”. IBS symptoms include bloating, constipation and diarrhea. It is relieved upon voiding.
What happens if you have gallstones in your gallbladder?
Gallstones form in the gallbladder and can block the flow of bile. If they do so for too long, that bile cannot reach the pancreas, small bowel and other organs. If this happens, you have a condition known as acute cholecystitis and your gallbladder will need to be removed.
Which quadrant of the medical division of the abdomen is the right side?
When you are identifying the area in which you have pain, it is important to know that the right side of your body corresponds with the upper right quadrant and lower right quadrant of the medical division of the abdomen. The organs in this section are:
Can a swollen stomach cause pain?
This is a life threatening condition. The symptoms common to it are dull or sharp pains in the right side of the abdomen , fever, abdominal swelling and nausea.
Can cramps cause pain in the abdomen?
Menstrual cramps - this can surprise some women who don’t expect that the cramping can cause pain that far up in the abdominal cavity, but it can.
Why does my right side of my colon hurt after eating?
It occurs due to the increased motility of the colon. Related to food and defecation: Right side ascending colon pain usually increases after eating. It also can be relieved (or even increased) after bowel movements (as with Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Why does my right side of my abdomen hurt?
The most common causes are infections (gastroenteritis), irritable bowel syndrome, and IBD. The ascending colon pain is colicky in nature (waves of contractions followed by relaxation). Other organs and muscles on the right side of your abdomen can cause pain similar to the ascending colon pain. Most commonly: Biliary pain, appendix pain, female ...
What is the name of the artery that the ascending colon gets its blood supply from?
Mesenteric vascular occlusion: the ascending colon gets its blood supply from an artery called “superior mesenteric artery ”. Obstruction of blood supply to the ascending colon can result in an emergency medical condition with severe abdominal pain (right-sided or generalized abdominal pain).
What causes pain in the upper colon?
Any infection of the ascending colon can cause ascending colon pain. This is the simplest and the most common cause of ascending colon pain. infections with organisms such as: Bacteria (such as E. Coli and Clostridium Difficile). Viruses ( as norovirus and rotavirus). Protozoa (such as Giardiasis and Amoebas).
What is the name of the small pouches in the colon that can get inflamed?
Radiation colitis: in people with a history of radiotherapy due to previous abdominal malignancy. Learn more. Diverticulitis: small, bulging pouches in the colon that can get inflamed. The most common location is the lower-left abdomen (sigmoid colon), Diverticulitis rarely occurs at the ascending colon (ref ).
What is the most common form of colon pain?
Right-sided spasms (colic): the most common form of colon pain is contractions (spasms) in the upper or lower right side of your abdomen ( ref ). Usually associated with distension or bloating: a common association with colon pain is a visible swelling at the right side of your abdomen. Dull aching pain or discomfort: mild forms ...
What does it mean when your back hurts?
Sudden, intense pain at the right side of your back that may spread to the groin may suggest right renal colic. Severe tendernes s over your upper or lower right abdomen: is not a usual ascending colon symptom. Fever, Severe nausea, vomiting: is not a feature of simple colon spasms.
What is the pain in the lower right abdomen?
When your appendix becomes inflamed, it’s known as appendicitis. Appendicitis is a common cause of pain specifically in the lower right abdomen.
What causes abdominal pain?
IBD is a group of debilitating digestive disorders that cause changes in bowel tissue and increase your risk of colorectal cancer. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two most common causes of IBD. Both chronic conditions cause inflammation within your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain.
What does it mean when you feel pain in your stomach?
Indigestion (dyspepsia) typically develops after you eat or drink something. Pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, though it may still be felt lower down.
What is the lower right part of the abdomen?
The lower right part of your abdomen is home to part of your colon and, for some women, the right ovary. There are many conditions that can cause you to feel mild to severe discomfort in your right abdominal region. More often than not, pain in the lower right abdomen is nothing to worry about and will go away on its own in a day or two.
How do you know if you have a swollen abdomen?
You should seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms: pain or pressure in your chest. fever. bloody stools. persistent nausea and vomiting. skin that appears yellow ( jaundice) severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen. swelling of the abdomen.
Why does my stomach feel like it's bloated?
The more undigested food present, the more gas your body will produce. As gas builds up , it can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and a “knotted” feeling in your stomach. Burping and farting usually provide relief.
Where does kidney infection hurt?
Although you may feel pain in your lower abdomen, discomfort from a kidney infection more often occurs in your back, sides, or groin.
Why does my right side of my stomach hurt?
For example, pain on the right of your abdomen caused by gas or indigestion can cause, sharp nagging aches. However, sometimes, dull aches that become more intense, or sharp cramping pains in the right side of your belly that don’t go away could be a sign of a more serious condition.
What is the pain on the right side of the abdomen?
Right side abdominal pain can describe any kind of sharp, dull, aching, or painful feeling in the area between the top of your pelvis to your lower chest. Pain in the right side of your abdomen may be accompanied by nausea, bloating, digestive problems, and cramping. The right side of your abdomen contains organs like the gallbladder, pancreas, appendix, right kidney, liver, and part of your small intestine.
Why does my right upper quadrant hurt?
Another digestive issue that could be to blame for your right upper quadrant pain is indigestion. Indigestion often causes abdominal cramping after eating as well as chest pain. Dr. Jay Marks who specializes in gastroenterology reports that indigestion can be the result of various gastrointestinal issues.
What side of the body hurts most?
Right Side Abdominal Pain: Common Causes. Unfortunately, abdominal pain on the left side or right side can affect all of us. Most of the time, aches, pains, and discomfort in the right abdomen are not symptoms of anything serious.
Why does my stomach hurt when I have heartburn?
Dr. Melinda Ratini on WebMD says that heartburn causes upper abdominal pain because the acid from the stomach escapes up the esophagus.
Where is the gallbladder located?
Your gallbladder is located in your upper right abdomen just below your ribcage. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder if you have high cholesterol or there is an obstruction in there. A gallbladder infection or bile duct blockage due to gallstones can cause pain in your upper right abdomen area.
How many quadrants are there in the right side of the abdomen?
According to Dr. Charles Patrick Davis on MedicineNet, doctors divide the abdominal area into four areas or quadrants.
