Discomforts of various kinds are common symptoms of diseases affecting the organs located in the abdominal cavity and the retroperitoneal area. They are localized by the affected organ’s location.
Pain in the right hypochondrium is a common symptom of organ dysfunction, including the liver, gall bladder, gut, and diaphragm. Pain, burning, and heaviness on the right side of the abdominal cavity, directly below the right rib cage, are symptoms of diseases in the associated organs.
The right hypochondrium exhibits painful symptoms that possess extrahepatic origin. They are mostly caused by elevated appendicitis, duodenal ulcers, or pancreas head disease. Sometimes they arise in conjunction with right kidney stones or colon angle lesions.
In women, the organs located in the lower left quadrant are the sigmoid colon, the left ovary, and the Fallopian tube. Pain in this area indicates kidney stones, diverticulitis, or colitis. Another possible cause of pain in this region is pelvic inflammation or ovarian cysts (in females).
Right & Left Hypochondrial Pain Symptoms
Pain is a defense mechanism, activated in response to tissue damage. The purpose of painful feelings is to serve as a warning mechanism for when an organism’s normal function is disrupted or when diseases are forming. Pain begins in the nerves, where it is translated into electrical signals and sent to the brain and spinal cord. Pain is fundamentally multidimensional and diversified; hence, its expressions vary in intensity, duration, and location.
The hypochondrium experience acute, dull, aching, shooting, stitching, scorching, etc. symptoms depending on how they appear. When acute pain syndrome shows up on the right side, it usually means that the liver or gall bladder is injured or is going through an inflammatory process. An acute, sudden discomfort on the right side of the body indicates cholelithiasis, lung illness, renal colic, or urolithiasis.
Left-sided pain is caused by pancreatitis, stomach, or spleen inflammation. Pain from a myocardial infarction originates in the left hypochondrium and flows to the neck, left arm, and shoulder blades. Nausea, fever, chills, heavy perspiration, and a darkening of the eyes are also present.
It is vital to rule out more serious conditions including cirrhosis, liver tumors, and kidney dysfunction when diagnosing chronic hepatitis and cholecystitis, which cause severe pain.
Acute cholecystitis is indicated by localized discomfort in the right hypochondrium. The right scapular, shoulder, thoracic, and heart areas are all potential sites of pain. Characteristic signs and symptoms of the illness include nausea, a yellowish tint to the skin, vomiting, and a fever.
Right & Left Hypochondrial Pain Causes
The stomach plays a key role in the digestive system, as it is the primary route by which nutrients and energy are absorbed into the body. Perhaps the first indication that this organ is not functioning properly is discomfort that suddenly appears in the left hypochondrium. The most frequent stomach ailment that causes pain includes plague, gastritis, cancer, and polyps. Other potential causes of significant discomfort include overeating, constipation, excessive use of alcohol, and injury.
There is a possibility that a diaphragmatic hernia, which is situated in the upper left abdominal segment, is the root cause of painful sensations in the left hypochondrium. Pain in the left hypochondrium is also caused by a hemorrhage in the chest cavity, which occurs in conjunction with the shift of the stomach from one region to another.
Infectious and viral disorders, such as viral hepatitis A, B, or C, are examples of some of the conditions that often lead to pain in the right hypochondrium. When the hepatitis A virus enters the digestive tract with contaminated food or water, it attacks the liver.
Drug addicts and those who come into physical touch with them, as well as those with non-traditional orientations, sometimes experience hardships. Hepatitis C is easily transmitted from person to person through the introduction of a contaminated needle. Toxic hepatitis arises when the body is intoxicated with drugs, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals. Alcohol is the most prevalent and harmful poison to the liver. It is a factor that contributes to the progression of alcoholic hepatitis.
Right & Left Hypochondrial Pain Treatment
The soreness under the ribcage is best treated with rest and ice, not pain relievers and heat, which often exacerbate the underlying pathology. Ice is mostly used to relieve discomfort.
Doctors typically treat hypochondria pain after analyzing the patient’s pain syndrome symptoms and conducting relevant research. In the event of discomfort, medical attention from a professional is recommended. It becomes challenging to get the right diagnosis when people self-regulate their body temperature and take drugs to ease the pain.
Extremely dangerous is acute, paroxysmal pain. For instance, an increase in the spleen causes it to rupture, therefore seek emergency medical attention immediately to prevent a deadly conclusion.