What can cause pain in the upper right abdomen?
Upper-right abdominal pain can involve the gallbladder, liver, stomach, muscles or other causes. Pain after a heavy meal can occur with gallstones but does not diagnose them. Severity, duration, fever, jaundice and associated symptoms determine how urgently assessment is needed.
Details
When is prompt care needed?
Seek care for pain lasting hours or worsening, especially with fever, chills, vomiting or yellow skin and eyes. Sudden severe pain, fainting or breathlessness requires emergency assessment.
How is the cause investigated?
The clinician asks about onset, food associations and radiation and examines the abdomen. Blood tests, ultrasound or other investigations may be appropriate. Incidentally detected gallstones do not prove they explain every episode of pain.
Avoid treatment based only on location
Do not start antibiotics or gallbladder-cleansing mixtures, or postpone assessment because pain temporarily improves. Mention possible pregnancy, medicines and previous operations, and record recurrent episodes to help evaluation.
Related reading: Does flank pain moving downward mean a kidney stone?.