If you’re feeling pain in the lower right side, it could be related to your appendix, such as appendicitis, or in rare cases, appendix cancer.

In the upper right abdomen, where your liver, right kidney, and gallbladder are located, possible serious causes include:

• Different types of hepatitis (alcoholic, toxic, viral, metabolic, autoimmune)
• Gallstones
• Liver diseases, including liver cancer
• Gallbladder cancer
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Kidney infections
• Kidney stones
• Duodenal ulcers
• Large bowel obstruction

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain

Call 911 right away if:

• Pain follows an injury
• You also have chest pain

See a doctor if you have:

• Severe or lasting stomach pain
• Pain that keeps coming back
• Can’t keep food down for over 2 days
• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dark pee, little urination)
• Constipation with vomiting
• Pain while urinating or frequent urges to pee
• Belly that’s sore to the touch
• Pain lasting several hours or more

Get urgent help if you notice:

• Vomiting blood
• Black or bloody stool
• Trouble breathing
• Ongoing vomiting
• Swollen belly
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Unexplained weight loss
• You’re pregnant