What is right upper abdominal pain?
A person with right upper abdominal pain has discomfort in the right upper part of the abdomen. The pain may be described as being "under the ribcage," but may also occur with pain in the middle part of the upper abdomen. The location of the pain can be an important clue in determining the underlying cause. Pain that is localized to one area of the abdomen is often more serious than pain that is perceived as coming from all over the abdomen. Additional important features of abdominal pain include severity, timing, associated symptoms, and the type of pain.

What are the symptoms of right upper abdominal pain?
Symptoms that may occur with right upper abdominal pain include nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, fever, diarrhea, excessive gas, loss of appetite, and constipation. Additional symptoms that may occur with right upper abdominal pain include back pain, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

How does the doctor treat right upper abdominal pain?
Treatment for right upper abdominal pain depends on the underlying cause. Depending on the cause, right upper abdominal pain may be treated with medications or surgery.