30 October 202610 min read

Right Side Abdominal Pain: Causes and When to Worry

Medical Review

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD

Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 31 October 2026

Right side abdominal pain is often wind or constipation, but can be appendicitis, gallstones or a kidney stone. How to tell, and when to get help.

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Right side abdominal pain is most often caused by something minor, such as trapped wind, constipation or indigestion. A few causes need a doctor quickly. Pain that moves from the belly button to the lower right can be appendicitis. Severe pain under the right ribs can be gallstones. Pain in the side that spreads to the groin can be a kidney stone.

TL;DR

Most tummy pain on the right side is wind, constipation, indigestion or a stomach bug, and settles on its own.
Pain that starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right, and gets worse, may be appendicitis.
Severe, steady pain under the right ribs for more than 30 minutes may be gallstones.
Pain in the side or back that comes in waves and spreads to the groin may be a kidney stone.
If you are or could be pregnant, any new one-sided tummy pain needs a check today.

Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).

For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.

What organs are on the right side of the abdomen?

Doctors split the tummy into an upper and a lower part. The organs under each part give clues to the cause. MedlinePlus explains that pain in one spot is more likely to come from one organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder or stomach.

Upper right: the liver, the gallbladder, part of the bowel, and the right kidney towards the back.
Lower right: the appendix, the end of the small bowel, the start of the large bowel and, in women, the right ovary and fallopian tube.

What are the common harmless causes?

The NHS lists the most common causes of stomach ache as:

Trapped wind: bloating and lots of wind.
Indigestion: feeling full after eating, heartburn, feeling sick.
Constipation: pooing less often, or hard poo.
A stomach bug or food poisoning: watery poo, feeling sick, vomiting. See our guide to food poisoning and stomach bugs in Spain.

These often cause pain that moves around, comes and goes, and eases after passing wind or a poo. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause the same cramps for months.

Could pain in the lower right side be appendicitis?

Appendicitis is the cause doctors most want to rule out. The NHS describes the usual pattern:

Pain starts in the middle, around the belly button.
Within hours it moves to the lower right side and gets worse.
It hurts more when you move, cough or someone presses there.
You may feel sick, lose your appetite or have a fever.

It is most common in children over 10 and young adults. It is rare in babies. Children and older people often do not have the classic pattern. Mayo Clinic notes that in pregnancy the appendix sits higher, so the pain can feel higher up. Appendicitis usually needs hospital care, most often surgery.

Is pain under the right ribs a gallbladder problem?

It can be. Gallstones are small stones in the gallbladder. Most cause no symptoms. The NHS says that when a stone blocks a duct, the pain is often severe and constant. It is felt in the centre of the tummy or just under the right ribs. It lasts from 30 minutes to several hours, and you may vomit.

Gallstones are more common in women, in people over 40 and in people living with obesity. They are also more common after fast weight loss. If you already know you have gallstones, our guide to gallbladder follow-up in Spain may help.

Other upper right causes include liver problems. A blood test may show high liver enzymes or bilirubin. See high ALT results and high bilirubin.

Right-sided tummy pain that is not settling, or keeps coming back?

You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He goes through your pain pattern, checks for warning signs, and tells you clearly whether you need tests, a scan or an in-person exam.

See available times

Could it be a kidney stone or a urine infection?

The NHS says kidney stone pain usually starts in the side of the tummy or the lower back. It can spread to the groin. You may feel sick, need to pee often or have cloudy urine. MedlinePlus adds that the pain can be very severe and often starts and stops suddenly. Get urgent help if the pain is severe or you have a fever, or feel hot, cold or shivery.

A bladder infection causes lower tummy pain and burning when you pee. Pain high in the side or back with a fever can mean the kidney is infected. Read more in our UTI guide.

What causes right side pain in women?

The right ovary and tube sit in the lower right. MedlinePlus lists a burst ovarian cyst and an ectopic pregnancy among the causes of tummy pain. An ectopic pregnancy grows outside the womb, usually in a tube. The NHS says symptoms usually start between weeks 4 and 12. They include pain low down on one side, bleeding or brown discharge, and pain in the tip of the shoulder. Contact a doctor today if you have these and could be pregnant, even with a negative test.

Period pain and endometriosis can also cause one-sided pain. See early pregnancy symptoms if you are unsure whether you could be pregnant.

Can I take a painkiller for right side abdominal pain?

For pain with no clear cause, MedlinePlus advises not to take any medicine without asking a doctor first. Sip clear fluids and rest. Avoid heavy meals for a few hours. If you know the cause, simple painkillers may be fine. Ask a pharmacist, especially if you are pregnant, or have stomach, kidney or heart problems. See paracetamol in Spain and Buscapina, the Spanish brand of Buscopan for cramps.

How is this handled in Spain compared with the UK and US?

Emergency number: in Spain it is 112 (999 in the UK, 911 in the US). It is free and works from any phone.
Emergency department: the hospital department is urgencias (A&E in the UK, the ER in the US).
Words you may hear: appendicitis is apendicitis, gallstones are cálculos biliares or piedras en la vesícula, a kidney stone is a cólico nefrítico or piedra en el riñón.

When is right side abdominal pain an emergency?

Call 112 or go to urgencias now if the pain started suddenly and is severe, or you have:

A hard, rigid tummy that hurts to touch.
Vomit with blood, or vomit that is green or looks like coffee grounds.
Black, sticky poo, or a lot of blood from your bottom.
No poo or wind at all, especially with vomiting.
You cannot pee at all.
Yellow skin or eyes with pain, or a high fever with shivering.
Fainting, feeling very dizzy or looking very pale, especially if you could be pregnant.
Chest pain or trouble breathing.

See a doctor today, without waiting, if the pain moves to the lower right, keeps getting worse, lasts more than 30 minutes under the right ribs, or comes with fever. The same applies if you are pregnant, or a child has tummy pain that is not settling.

Book a routine visit if the pain keeps coming back, lasts a week, or comes with weight loss you cannot explain.

Talking it through with a doctor by video

Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:

Ask where the pain started, how it moved and what makes it worse.
Check for warning signs such as fever, vomiting, jaundice or pregnancy.
Tell you clearly if you need urgencias, a scan, blood tests or an in-person exam, and help you plan the next steps.

He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.

A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.

This guide is general information. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Is pain on the right side of the abdomen serious?

Usually not. Wind, constipation and indigestion are the most common causes. It needs a prompt check if it gets worse, moves to the lower right, comes with fever or vomiting, or you could be pregnant.

How do I know if it is appendicitis?

The classic sign is pain that starts around the belly button, moves to the lower right within hours and gets worse when you move or cough. Loss of appetite and feeling sick are common. Only a doctor can confirm it.

What does gallbladder pain feel like?

Severe, steady pain in the centre of the tummy or under the right ribs. It lasts from 30 minutes to several hours and may make you vomit.

Can trapped wind cause sharp pain on the right side?

Yes. Wind can cause sharp, moving pain that eases when you pass wind or open your bowels. Pain that stays in one spot and gets worse needs a check.

Can a kidney stone cause right side pain?

Yes. A stone in the right kidney or tube causes pain in the side or back that comes in waves and can spread to the groin.

Should I take a painkiller before seeing a doctor?

For pain with no known cause, MedlinePlus advises asking a doctor before taking any medicine. Severe pain should be checked at urgencias.

Sources

Related guides

Medical Citations & Sources

This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.