Pain on the right side of the chest or abdomen, or flank, can have a variety of causes. Its intensity, characteristics, and other symptoms provide valuable clues about its severity and the need to seek medical attention.
Right-sided pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, so “an accurate diagnosis is a major challenge for the doctor,” says Jonatan Miguel-Carrera, a member of the Emergency and Urgent Care Working Group of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG).
The first step is to define what is meant by the right side. The word “side,” which comes from the Latin word “costatus” (having ribs), refers to “the two lateral parts of the human body, located between the chest, back, armpits and ribs,” according to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy. It therefore refers to “the anatomical regions of the thorax and abdomen,” Miguel-Carrera explains.
The causes of pain in these areas of the body can range from “mild to very serious or even life-threatening.” That’s why, according to the family doctor, “proper evaluation by a doctor is paramount.”
Types of Right-Side Chest and Abdominal Pain
Depending on the characteristics of right-sided pain, your doctor can assess its possible origin and severity.
