Right Upper Quadrant Pain: Ruling Out Potential Causes

Angelica Bottaro
·7 min read

Medically reviewed by Kumkum S. Patel MD, MPH

The right upper quadrant of the abdomen (RUQ), which starts at the bottom of the ribs and ends at the pubic area on the right side of the abdomen, is home to several organs, including the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, and the top part of the pancreas.

In some cases, pain can occur in this area, and there is a variety of reasons for the pain, such as kidney stones, liver disease, and, in rarer cases, cancer.

This article discusses the various types of right upper quadrant pain, the symptoms you may experience, and when to see a healthcare provider.

<p>Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images</p>

Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images

Causes of Right Upper Quadrant Pain by Organ

The number of organs in the right upper quadrant can make it difficult to pinpoint where the pain stems from, making it crucial to understand what may be causing pain based on the organ affected.

Liver

The liver is the detoxification organ located in the right upper quadrant. It filters out toxins from the blood. It also plays a role in:

  • Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels

  • Regulating the blood’s ability to clot properly

  • Aid in immunity and digestion

  • Stores nutrients

When the liver is in poor health, it can lead to pain in the area. Some conditions that can lead to right upper quadrant pain stemming from the liver include:



Symptoms You May Experience

People may also experience other symptoms if a liver issue is to blame for pain in the right upper quadrant. Some symptoms include:

  • Yellowing skin or eyes

  • Tenderness in the area

  • Urine that is darker than normal

  • Fever

  • Fatigue

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Nausea and vomiting



Learn More: Liver Health

The Right Kidney

Kidneys help to remove waste from the body through urine. The right kidney, located in the right upper quadrant, can develop problems and lead to pain. Some possible kidney-related conditions or diseases include:



Symptoms you May Experience

Other symptoms will develop if you have a problem with your right kidney, such as:

  • Painful urination

  • Urine that has a foul sell

  • Blood in the urine

  • Fever

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • A frequent urge to urinate

  • Pain that radiates from the right upper quadrant into other parts of the body, including the lower back or groin



Learn More: Kidney Pain

Gallbladder

The gallbladder helps to release and store bile, an acidic liquid that the body uses to break down food in the stomach. When the gallbladder is diseased, it can lead to pain in the right upper quadrant. Some possible causes include:



Symptoms You may Experience

If your gallbladder is affected, you may also feel other symptoms, including:

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fever and chills

  • Light-colored stools

  • Dark urine

  • Yellowing skin



Learn More: Gallbladder Disease

Duodenum

The duodenum is a C-shaped portion of the small intestines. Several health afflictions can affect the duodenum, leading to right upper quadrant pain, such as:



Symptoms You May Experience

The symptoms you experience because of an issue with the duodenum vary significantly but can include:

  • Feeling uncomfortably full

  • Bloating in the abdomen

  • Excessive gas

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Indigestion

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Bleeding

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Pain that radiates to the back

  • Heartburn



Learn More: Causes of Abdominal Swelling and Bloating

Pancreas

The pancreas is in charge of producing enzymes that break down and digest the food you eat. It also helps to produce insulin, a much-needed hormone that balances blood sugar levels.

The top portion of the pancreas is located in the right upper quadrant. If you develop pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, you may experience pain in the right upper quadrant.



Other Symptoms of Pancreatitis

There will be other signs of pancreatic inflammation if you have pancreatitis, including:

  • Pain that spreads to the back or chest

  • Pain that worsens after eating

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fever

  • Swelling in the upper area of the stomach

  • Tenderness in the upper stomach

  • A build-up of fluid in the stomach area

  • Low blood pressure

  • Rapid heart rate

  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes



Related: Medications for the Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis

Pain Symptoms in the Upper Right Abdomen

Different types of pain can occur in the right upper quadrant. They include:

  • Pain that comes on suddenly and is severe

  • Dull pain that radiates, making it difficult to pinpoint the location it’s coming from

  • Pain that radiates to the shoulder, back, or groin

  • Sharp pain that’s easy to tell the origin area from



RUQ Pain in Pregnancy

People who are pregnant may experience right upper quadrant pain if they develop a condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks and is driven by high blood pressure. Symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath

  • Severe headache

  • Sensitivity to light or blurred vision

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Issues with the kidney or liver

  • Increased amount of protein in the urine

  • A decrease in urination



Related: What Causes Upper Abdominal Pain?

How to Treat Right Upper Quadrant Pain

Treating right upper quadrant pain will depend highly on what is causing it.

For example, if the pain is caused by something as simple as heartburn, you may be able to get away with over-the-counter medication to help stop the symptoms from occurring.

However, if the pain develops because of something more serious, such as kidney disease, treatment will be more complex.

Some possible treatments include:

  • Pain relievers, such as acetominophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)

  • Surgery to remove tumors, stones, or a diseased part of the organ

  • Antibiotics if an infection is causing the issue

  • Medications designed for specific conditions, i.e. chemotherapy for cancer or antacids for heartburn

Steps to Diagnosing Pain Symptoms

Since the conditions and diseases that lead to right upper quadrant pain are varied, so is the diagnostic process.

That said, there are some typical measures a healthcare provider will take to help rule out certain disorders and find a definitive diagnosis. They include:

  • A health history and background

  • Blood tests to measure blood sugar levels, liver function, and blood cell counts

  • Imaging tests to check for growths or abnormalities, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imagining scans (MRI)

  • Endoscopy, which is a procedure that involves the use of a camera on a long tube called an endoscope that can look into the stomach

  • Urinalysis to check for kidney function

  • Stool samples to check for infectious material

Once the basic tests are completed, a healthcare provider will have a better idea of what may be causing the issue. They can then order more tests as needed.

Related: Primary and Secondary Chronic Pain Classifications

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should always see a healthcare provider for new right upper quadrant pain because the list of causes is so vast. Even if it is mild, it could indicate that you have something that needs attention.

It’s especially important to see a healthcare provider if the pain continues to worsen over time, doesn’t go away, or you have other symptoms such as the ones mentioned above.

While right upper quadrant pain isn’t always tied to a severe ailment, it’s better to have it checked out early.



When RUQ Pain is an Emergency

If the pain you’re experiencing is sudden, severe, or makes it hard to breathe, you should head to your nearest emergency department. You should also seek immediate medical attention for other symptoms, including:

  • Yellowing skin or eyes

  • Fever

  • Changes in blood pressure or heart rate



Learn More: Abdominal Pain: When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?

Summary

Pain in the right upper quadrant can be attributed to many organs and, thus, many different health disorders, conditions, or diseases. Because of that, it's often difficult to figure out what may be causing the issue until you've seen a healthcare provider and have had the appropriate tests.

Since the organs located in the right upper quadrant are vital and ensure the overall proper functioning of the body, keeping them healthy and looked after is essential to your health and well-being. Some conditions that cause pain in the right upper quadrant may be mild, while others indicate a severe disease. Because of that, seeing a healthcare provider when you experience this type of pain is crucial.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.