Liver and gallbladder diseases
Biliary colic rightfully bears the title of one of the most severe types of pain associated with diseases of the internal organs.
It occurs with cholelithiasis, when a stone causes blockage and spasm of the bile ducts. In chronic cholecystitis, pain occurs under the right rib, in the pit of the stomach, and can radiate under the right shoulder blade. It is dull in nature, bothers some patients constantly, while in others it occurs in the form of rare attacks. Usually, the deterioration of the condition is provoked by errors in the diet.
Also, pain under the right rib can be a manifestation of hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
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Ryabov Konstantin Yurievich
Chief surgeon, oncologist, endoscopist
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What is in this part of the body
On the right side there are a large number of organs that affect the functioning of the entire body. A table showing what is in this part of the body will help you figure out what may hurt on the right side.
| Organs | Organ functions |
| Subcostal area | |
| Liver and gallbladder | They participate in the process of human digestion, secreting a bile segment that promotes the breakdown of fats. The liver is a filter in the human body, binds and removes various toxic compounds that disrupt the functioning of other organs. |
| Diaphragm | The main functions of the diaphragm are divided into:
|
| Right kidney with adrenal gland | The adrenal glands are responsible for normalizing hormonal balance in the human body. The kidneys are aimed at removing water and water-soluble compounds from the human body, and are also responsible for removing metabolic end products from the body. |
| Ileum | It secretes enzymes that enable the digestion of food. The intestine is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and minerals. |
| Lower lobe of right lung | The processes of exchange of oxygen with carbon dioxide and saturation of blood flows with oxygen. |
| Pelvic area | |
| Caecum with appendix | The cecum is responsible for the process of digesting liquid products from the intestines and absorbs the necessary amount of liquid for the functioning of other internal organs. The appendix allows you to normalize the microflora in the intestines and prevents the occurrence of infections in the digestive organs. |
| Colon segment | Removing feces from the body and forming their solid structure. |
| Right ovary in women and fallopian tube | The ovaries are responsible for the formation of hormones, as well as for the maturation of the egg before fertilization. The fallopian tube performs the function of transporting a mature egg to the sperm. |
Acute appendicitis
With acute inflammation of the appendix - the appendix - pain first occurs in the entire abdomen or around the navel, and then shifts to the right iliac region. Other possible manifestations: nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, increased body temperature. If you suspect acute appendicitis, you should immediately call an ambulance. You cannot self-medicate. Laxatives and enemas can lead to rupture of the appendix, and painkillers blur the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from correctly assessing the patient’s condition and symptoms.
Sometimes the symptoms of acute appendicitis hide intestinal colic - a non-dangerous condition. This happens especially often in children. In this case, it is still better to send the patient to a surgical hospital - the doctor will observe him for some time, and, if everything is in order, he will send him home.
Treatment
Pain is always a symptom that is necessary to determine the source of the lesion. This means that the disease must be treated. Taking painkillers often blurs the picture of the disease and does not make it possible to detect the disease in time. A negligent attitude towards one's own health sometimes leads to death.
Diet therapy
If the cause is in the intestines, then giving up coarse fiber and spices will significantly improve the general condition and contribute to the effectiveness of drug treatment.
The problem of the gallbladder can be solved by avoiding fatty, spicy and fried foods. Acute pancreatitis will require the patient to completely stop eating for several days.
Drug treatment
Inflammatory processes are treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, following his recommendations. Oncology is treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and radiotherapy. It must be remembered that antispasmodic and analgesic drugs are used exclusively as additional elements of the overall treatment complex.
Surgical intervention is possible only in extreme cases, if there is a threat to the woman’s life and health:
- Appendicitis;
- Ectopic pregnancy;
- Acute form of adhesions;
- Urolithiasis disease.
Diseases of the urinary system
In terms of severity and painfulness, renal colic can compete with biliary colic. It is caused by the same reasons - the stone blocks the lumen of the ureter and causes a spasm of its wall. Often, an attack is provoked by heavy food and alcohol - often patients are taken to the clinic’s emergency department straight from a feast.
Dull, aching pain in the lower back on the right side can be caused by pyelonephritis, an inflammatory disease of the kidneys. Other possible manifestations: increased body temperature, frequent urination, pus and blood in the urine, weakness.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic measures begin with a physical examination and questioning of the patient.
When making a diagnosis, the following are taken into account:
- nature and intensity, course of pain syndrome;
- its localization;
- general medical history of the patient;
- the patient’s behavior during the activation of unpleasant sensations;
- additional symptoms and their manifestations;
- whether the patient is taking any medications.
Hardware imaging methods are used as a differential diagnostic tool:
- X-ray;
- Ultrasound – gynecology, urology, intestines are examined;
- MRI – to exclude diverticulitis, diagnose neoplasms of various types, hernias and tumors of the spine, changes in the articular heads of the hip joint;
- laparoscopic and general abdominal diagnostic surgical interventions.
Spinal problems
If we talk about pain in the lower back on the right, the first thing that comes to mind, of course, is “the most popular diagnosis” - osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. The pain is usually aching, occurs on one, less often on both sides, intensifies during physical activity, prolonged stay in a monotonous position.
Another common cause is a herniated disc, which most often occurs in the lumbar spine, due to the fairly high mobility and high loads that the lower back has to experience. The pain usually occurs on one side, spreading to the buttock, down the back of the leg.
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How to accurately determine the cause of pain
After collecting anamnesis, the doctor will identify several differential diagnoses. A set of diagnostic measures will help to diagnose the disease. Some of them are represented by laboratory tests of blood, urine and feces. Based on their results, it is possible to determine the presence of an inflammatory process in the body, functional disorders in the digestive and urinary tracts.
Hardware procedures are selected on an individual basis. To assess the condition of the respiratory system, fluorography is prescribed. To examine the stomach, gastroscopy is used. The condition of the liver and pancreas is assessed using ultrasound. Ultrasound examination is also used for diseases of the urinary and reproductive systems. If the diagnosis is in doubt or there are suspicions of multiple organ disorders, multislice magnetic resonance imaging of the abdominal cavity is prescribed. The study provides comprehensive information about all organs at once.
To accurately identify the disorder and make a final diagnosis, additional diagnostic measures may be required. For example, scintigraphy, laparoscopic examination, biopsy.
Gynecological diseases in women
In women, the cause of pain in the lower abdomen on the right is often inflammatory processes in the uterine appendages (adnexitis), ovarian cysts. The intensity of the pain varies; it can spread to the groin or leg.
More serious conditions that require immediate medical attention are also possible. For example, tubal pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg is implanted not in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. Worrying is aching, cutting or cramping pain on the side where the embryo is attached, prolonged scanty uterine bleeding. Tubal pregnancy threatens to rupture the fallopian tube, a life-threatening condition.
Prevention
Doctors advise:
- Completely abstain from alcohol;
- Eliminate all fried and fatty foods from the diet;
- It is also undesirable to visit fast food restaurants;
- Follow a special diet, consuming foods that help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Take medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Listen to all advice from doctors.
- Do not sit in one position at home, take daily walks in the fresh air.
Pain in the right side of the chest
Chest pain on the right can be associated with thoracic osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, pneumonia (inflammation of the lung), pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura - a thin film of connective tissue that covers the lungs), diseases of the heart, abdominal organs (gallbladder, liver, pancreas) ). Sometimes the cause is cancer.
Why does it hurt on the right side? In order to answer this question correctly and receive effective treatment, you need to visit a doctor and undergo an examination. The causes can be serious, lead to serious complications, and sometimes even pose a threat to life. If the pain is severe, bothers you for a long time, is accompanied by other symptoms, if the condition worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor. Make an appointment with a medical specialist: +7 (495) 230-00-01.
Preventive recommendations
The most important preventive recommendation is to control your weight
You can avoid the appearance of an unpleasant symptom if:
- to live an active lifestyle;
- undergo regular examination;
- eat well;
- control your condition after stress;
- Avoid gaining extra pounds.
