Guide to Left And Right Side Stomach Pain
Understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for left and right side stomach pain. Learn when it may be minor and when to seek medical attention.
Written by Dr. Md Yusuf Shareef
Reviewed by Dr. Shaik Abdul Kalam MD (Physician)
Last updated on 4th Sep, 2025
Feeling a sharp twinge or a dull ache in your side can be instantly worrying. Is it just a pulled muscle, something you ate, or a sign of something more serious? Stomach pain is a common complaint, but its location whether on the left or right side can provide crucial clues about its cause. This guide will help you navigate the potential reasons for your discomfort, from common digestive issues to conditions that require immediate medical attention. We'll break down the anatomy of your abdomen, explore causes specific to each side, and help you understand when it's time to see a doctor.
Understanding Your Abdominal Anatomy
To make sense of stomach pain, it's helpful to think of your abdomen as a map divided into sections, or quadrants. Healthcare professionals use this map to narrow down the list of possible culprits based on where your pain is localized.
• Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ): Houses the liver, gallbladder, right kidney, and parts of the small and large intestines.
• Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): Contains the stomach, spleen, left kidney, pancreas, and parts of the large intestine.
• Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): Home to the appendix, the right ovary and fallopian tube (in women), and the right ureter.
• Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): Contains the left ovary and fallopian tube (in women), the left ureter, and the sigmoid colon.
Pain doesn't always stay neatly in one quadrant—it can radiate or refer—but location is a powerful starting point for understanding abdominal discomfort.
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Causes of Pain on the Right Side
Right side abdominal pain is often linked to organs like the liver, gallbladder, and appendix. The severity and type of pain can vary greatly.
Gallbladder Issues
The gallbladder, located under your liver on the right side, stores bile. If gallstones block the ducts, it can cause a gallbladder attack. This pain is typically a sudden, intense ache in the right upper quadrant that may radiate to your back or right shoulder blade. It often occurs after eating a fatty meal and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Appendicitis
This is a medical emergency. Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine. The classic sign is pain that begins around the navel and then migrates to the right lower quadrant, becoming sharp and severe. Movement, coughing, or sneezing may worsen the pain. Fever, nausea, and loss of appetite are common. If you suspect appendicitis, seek emergency care immediately, as a ruptured appendix can be life-threatening.
Liver Problems
Conditions affecting the liver, such as hepatitis (inflammation), an abscess, or even congestion from heart failure, can cause a dull, aching pain or a feeling of fullness in the right upper quadrant. This may be accompanied by jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, and extreme fatigue.
Kidney Stones or Infection
A kidney stone lodged in your right ureter or a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) can cause excruciating, cramping pain that originates in your flank (the side of your back, just below the ribs) and radiates around to the front of your abdomen or down to your groin. The pain often comes in waves. A kidney infection usually also causes a fever and pain when urinating.
Causes of Pain on the Left Side
Left side abdominal pain can stem from issues in the digestive tract, the spleen, or the reproductive organs.
Diverticulitis
This occurs when small pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the colon, often in the left lower quadrant, become inflamed or infected. The pain is usually constant, severe, and localized to the lower left side of the abdomen. It can be accompanied by fever, nausea, and a noticeable change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea).
Splenic Issues
Problems with the spleen, such as an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) or a rare splenic rupture, can cause pain in the left upper quadrant. A ruptured spleen, often due to trauma, is a serious emergency causing sharp pain and requires immediate medical attention.
Gas and Constipation
Often the simplest explanation is the correct one. Trapped gas or severe constipation can cause significant cramping, sharp, or stabbing pains that can be felt on either side of the abdomen, but are common on the left. The pain is usually relieved after passing gas or having a bowel movement.
Gynecological Causes (For Women)
Pain in the lower left or right abdomen can be related to the reproductive system. An ovarian cyst on the left ovary can cause a dull ache or a sudden, sharp pain if it ruptures or twists. Endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can also cause chronic lower abdominal pain on one or both sides.
Conditions That Can Cause Pain on Either Side
Some common ailments don't pick a side and can cause discomfort anywhere in the abdomen.
Indigestion and Gas
This is one of the most frequent causes of general abdominal discomfort. Overeating, eating too quickly, or consuming fatty or spicy foods can lead to bloating, a feeling of fullness, and crampy pain that may be felt on the left, right, or center of the abdomen.
Muscle Strain
An often-overlooked cause of localized abdominal tenderness is a pulled or strained abdominal muscle. This pain is typically superficial, worsens with movement or certain poses (like sitting up), and improves with rest. It can easily be mistaken for internal organ pain.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
While a classic UTI causes pain in the pelvic center and a burning sensation during urination, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can cause flank pain on either the left or right side, accompanied by fever and general malaise.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While many causes of side pain are benign, certain "red flag" symptoms require urgent evaluation. Seek emergency care if your stomach pain is accompanied by any of the following:
• Severe, unbearable pain.
• Fever over 101°F (38.3°C).
• Persistent vomiting or vomiting blood.
• Bloody or black, tarry stools.
• A hard, rigid abdomen that is tender to touch.
• Shortness of breath or dizziness.
• Pain following a recent injury or trauma.
• Jaundice (yellowing skin/eyes).
Trust your instincts. If the pain feels different or worse than anything you've experienced before, it's always better to err on the side of caution and get it checked out.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of stomach pain can feel daunting, but understanding the basic map of your abdomen and the common conditions associated with each area empowers you to have a more informed conversation with your doctor. While this guide provides a comprehensive overview of potential causes from gas pain to serious emergencies like appendicitis it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Pay close attention to the character, location, and accompanying symptoms of your pain. When in doubt, especially with severe or persistent symptoms, always seek the expertise of a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment for your abdominal discomfort.
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Dr. Promise Jain
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
20 Years • MBBS, DNB Medicine, TDD, MNAMS, PGCDM, CCEBDM, CCMTD,PGDE Senior Consultant- Internal Medicine Head- Department of critical care Apollo Sage Hospital, Bhopal, MP Intensivist, Diabetes, Thyroid , Physician
Bhopal
Apollo Sage Hospitals, Bhopal
Dr. Hariprasath J
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
19 Years • MD (Gen Med), FCCP, Dip (Diabetology, UK)
Chennai
Apollo First Med Hospitals P H Road, Chennai
(200+ Patients)
Dr. Shakti
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
25 Years • MBBS, DNB, PGDHIVM, MRCP (UK)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(250+ Patients)
Dr. Karan Goel
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
11 Years • MBBS, MD (Paediatrics)
Kolkata
Little Steps Clinic, Kolkata
Dr. Ajay Kumar
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
17 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine
Kolkata
Mother's Care - Metiabruz, Kolkata
Consult a Top Specialist
Dr. Promise Jain
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
20 Years • MBBS, DNB Medicine, TDD, MNAMS, PGCDM, CCEBDM, CCMTD,PGDE Senior Consultant- Internal Medicine Head- Department of critical care Apollo Sage Hospital, Bhopal, MP Intensivist, Diabetes, Thyroid , Physician
Bhopal
Apollo Sage Hospitals, Bhopal
Dr. Hariprasath J
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
19 Years • MD (Gen Med), FCCP, Dip (Diabetology, UK)
Chennai
Apollo First Med Hospitals P H Road, Chennai
(200+ Patients)
Dr. Shakti
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
25 Years • MBBS, DNB, PGDHIVM, MRCP (UK)
Delhi
Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, Delhi
(250+ Patients)
Dr. Karan Goel
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
11 Years • MBBS, MD (Paediatrics)
Kolkata
Little Steps Clinic, Kolkata
Dr. Ajay Kumar
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
17 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine
Kolkata
Mother's Care - Metiabruz, Kolkata
