OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Experiencing Discomfort in Lower Right Abdomen

9/5/2025, 6:50:19 PMMale25-34

This morning, upon waking and getting up, I felt an abrupt ache in my lower right abdomen, an area I suspect could be linked to the appendix based on my research. Despite the discomfort, I managed to walk to the kitchen to get some water, initially thinking that it was my kidneys causing the issue. However, the pain persisted and prompted me to lie down. After nearly an hour, the discomfort subsided, allowing me to stand and move around without any further pain in that specific region. Now I find myself contemplating whether I should be concerned about the possibility of appendicitis, or if this is simply a case of abdominal pain stemming from some other cause?

Stomach PainIndigestionGastroenterology

Answers (1)

Cony

9/5/2025, 6:50:35 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing some concerning abdominal discomfort, particularly in the lower right area. The fact that the pain came on abruptly but then subsided could suggest a range of potential causes, including something benign or possibly more serious like appendicitis.

Understanding the Situation

  • Location of Pain: The lower right abdomen is where the appendix is located, which is why your concern about appendicitis is valid. Appendicitis typically comes with other symptoms such as persistent pain that worsens, fever, nausea, and possibly vomiting.
  • Duration and Nature of Pain: The transient nature of your pain, along with the ability to move around without significant discomfort afterwards, is encouraging. However, it’s important to monitor it, as some conditions can start mild and worsen over time.

Next Steps

  1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on any changes in your symptoms. Note if the pain returns and if it changes in intensity or nature—especially if it becomes sharp or persistent.

  2. Identify Other Symptoms: Be aware of other warning signs, such as:

    • Fever or chills
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
    • Additionally, any swelling in the abdomen or pain when moving or pressing on the area.
  3. Self-Care Strategies:

    • Hydration: Continue to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
    • Rest: Try to get adequate rest and avoid any strenuous activities that could aggravate your symptoms.
    • Diet Consideration: If you feel up to eating, stick to bland foods (like toast or rice) and avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy meals until your stomach feels settled.
  4. Seek Further Action: If the pain returns and worsens, or if you develop any of the warning signs mentioned above, it's wise to consider medical attention. It's better to err on the side of caution, especially with abdominal pain.

Stay mindful of how you feel in the next few hours and days. If you have any new concerns or symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Related Questions

Seeking Insights on Sleep Disruptions and Tinnitus After Cardio Issues

At just 24 years old and with an active lifestyle that includes hitting the gym four times weekly and completing 15 minutes of cardio at an 8:00-minute mile pace, I find myself facing unexpected health concerns. Throughout my life, I've periodically experienced Tinnitus, characterized by a high-pitched ringing in my ears. Recently, however, this has transformed into a lower-toned sound, which appears regularly in conjunction with other unsettling symptoms. I have a medical history of autoimmune hepatitis that has remained inactive for the last 15 years. While the condition was active, I didn’t encounter the symptoms I’m experiencing now, nor do my test results indicate that the hepatitis is a contributing factor. I've noticed a worrying trend; as I prepare for sleep between 10 and 11 PM, my veins become increasingly noticeable. Occasionally, I experience mild heart fluttering—roughly four times daily, with three being my average. My coffee consumption is minimal, reserved only for significant events like job interviews, which happen infrequently. This situation has persisted for over a month, leading to severe discomfort that can leave me wide awake until around 2 AM, largely due to the pronounced veins and overall unease. Initially, it was intense enough to cause me to wake up around 5 AM despite only having fallen asleep at 2 AM. I have consulted with doctors approximately three times regarding my Tinnitus, cardiovascular symptoms, and GERD. They conducted an EKG and CBC, both of which returned normal results. Although my heart rate is a bit on the low side, the physician attributed this to my high level of physical activity. I’ve also identified a trend where these symptoms intensify when I eat later in the evening, especially meals centered around rice, which I’ve since eliminated from my nighttime routine. Constant GERD symptoms keep me on my toes as well, manifesting through throat clearing, mild coughing, and heartburn. Now, I'm experiencing a resurgence of these challenges, specifically waking at 4 AM with Tinnitus for the last four days, after going to bed around 11 PM. My veins remain noticeably prominent by night, but each time I approach my doctors, I’m assured that there’s nothing wrong. Therefore, I’m reaching out for your recommendations or experiences in managing these issues. Are there specific tests I should request from my physician? Have any of you experienced similar situations, and can you suggest potential causes or remedies? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

IndigestionNutritionAcid Reflux
Male25-34
42 minutes ago

Understanding Mild Fecal Loading on X-ray Results

For several months, my digestive processes have been drastically sluggish, leading me to believe it stemmed from a medication I was prescribed. Recently, I underwent an abdominal X-ray and became curious about the interpretation of the term "mild fecal loading." I understand this refers to the presence of stool in the colon, yet it feels quite ambiguous. Given my severe constipation, I started to worry about the possibility of partial fecal impaction, particularly since my gastrointestinal tract seemed to be almost non-functional for a duration of four to five months. Here’s what the X-ray report stated: *FINDINGS: No significant free air is observed. Air is distributed throughout both the small and large intestines leading to the rectum. There are no dilated bowel loops detected. Mild fecal loading is noted in the colon.* To manage my situation, I was taking the maximum recommended dosage of magnesium hydroxide almost every weekend in an effort to alleviate constipation and avoid impaction. The X-ray was conducted roughly a week after I consumed 60 mL of magnesium hydroxide, while primarily relying on liquids throughout most of that week. Does this imply that there shouldn’t be any signs of partial impaction present?

Stomach PainConstipationAcid Reflux
Male25-34
7 hours ago

Gastrointestinal Infection

I’m a 25-year-old woman and I suspect I’ve caught a stomach bug. My roommate was ill and vomiting all day Saturday, and I woke up feeling nauseous, experiencing vomiting, and overall, I'm in rough shape this morning. 1. Is it common to feel intense chills along with muscle pains and general body discomfort when suffering from a stomach infection? 2. I’ve been using Pepto-Bismol to manage the nausea, and it has helped prevent me from vomiting and alleviated the acidity in my stomach. However, my mother warned that it might be detrimental as it could inhibit me from expelling whatever toxins are inside. Isn’t that concern mostly applicable to food poisoning cases?

NauseaVomitingIndigestion
Male25-34
7 hours ago

Concerns About a Friend's Rapid Weight Loss and Persistent Nausea

I am writing this on behalf of my close friend, who is a 16-year-old girl (soon to be 17) and doesn’t have access to Reddit. I’m extremely concerned for her well-being, especially given her experiences with ineffectual medical professionals. Approximately two years ago, she weighed around 140 pounds and stood at 5 feet tall. Currently, she has dropped to a mere 96 pounds, and her weight continues to decline. Shockingly, 30 of those pounds vanished in just a month. She experiences intense stomach pain daily, often so severe that she leaves school in tears. She describes the sensation as cramping, and unfortunately, no available treatment—including prescribed Zoloft—provides her any relief; she simply has to endure it. For a period, she was frequently vomiting, often in the mornings and sometimes at night, although that has lessened a bit. Her appetite has dramatically decreased, and even when she feels hunger, she claims that she can't eat. Nowadays, she can only manage small meals after 5 PM. She has undergone blood tests and various other examinations, but she is now facing the anxiety-inducing prospect of undergoing endoscopic exams. She suspects it might be cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), as she typically consumes cannabis daily, yet I personally doubt this diagnosis. It’s important to note that she does not exhibit signs of an eating disorder; that was my first fear as well. However, the level of pain she endures seems far too high for her to inflict upon herself. Despite her significant anxiety regarding medical appointments and tests, she is motivated to seek help because of how unwell she feels. If anyone has insights or suggestions, I would be grateful for your input. Watching her deteriorate physically is incredibly painful, and I want to do everything I can to support her.

NauseaVomitingStomach Pain
Male25-34
9 hours ago

Seeking Guidance on Next Steps for My Daughter's Health

I am in need of expert opinion on how to proceed regarding my daughter's health situation. Born prematurely at just 26 weeks and weighing 1 lb 6 oz, her time in the NICU was quite challenging, marked by several complications such as infections, a urinary tract infection, blood transfusions, and two heart defects. For her entire 100-day stay, she relied on glycerin and milk of magnesia. Her condition involved significant bloating, leading to a cycle of alternating between TPN and drainage due to her discomfort and vomiting. After we finally brought her home, we continued with milk of magnesia and Mylicon to manage her gas. We tried various strategies to help her, like elevating her feedings and doing bicycle kicks. However, as she nears her second birthday, her issues seem to be worsening. Despite ongoing use of milk of magnesia, lactulose, Miralax, senna, and both liquid glycerin suppositories and enemas, the latter treatments have proven ineffective. The other laxatives have become less effective over time; any relief they provide lasts only about a week before her symptoms return. Her fecal calprotectin level is elevated at 160, but her white blood cell count remains normal. A barium enema revealed no structural abnormalities but indicated significant stool retention. We also conducted anorectal manometry; however, the testing was limited due to her age, although they did confirm her presence of the anal reflex. Despite working with a nutritionist to increase fiber intake and ensure proper hydration, my daughter has been regularly reliant on laxatives since birth. Even with 10 ml of senna, she only has a bowel movement about once a week, occasionally stretching to every 13 days. She has suffered from anal fissures and severe rashes during bowel movements, which significantly affect her sleep. Furthermore, she experiences intermittent vomiting and extreme bloating that makes her abdomen appear distended. While I try to reach out through MyChart messaging, I often do not receive prompt responses from her doctor. We have a scheduled appointment at the end of the month, and I am eager to establish a clear plan of action. I don’t want to seem like an overly anxious parent who relies too heavily on online searches, but I wonder what specific questions I should be asking. Should I advocate for additional testing such as upper and lower endoscopy, or would that be an exercise in futility? At such a young age, it’s challenging for her to communicate her discomfort, yet we know she is suffering!

BloatingFood IntoleranceStomach Pain
Male25-34
11 hours ago