{"id":61450,"date":"2023-11-13T16:11:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T21:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61450"},"modified":"2026-05-20T20:09:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T00:09:01","slug":"sharp-pain-right-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/sharp-pain-right-side\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes sharp pain on the right side of the body?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sharp pain on the right side of the body can be related to the organs and tissues located on the right side of the body. Therefore, the pain can be a symptom of an issue with the lungs, abdomen, musculoskeletal system, reproductive system, gastrointestinal system, or urinary system.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article covers the potential causes of pain on the right side of the body. It also explores the possible treatments and when to seek medical help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes of sharp pain on the right side of the body<\/span><\/h2>\n

In order to determine the cause of pain on the right side of the body, it helps to narrow down where exactly the pain is originating from since pain can originate from another part of the body but be felt on the right side, and vice versa. Below, we\u2019ll look at the common causes of sharp right-sided pain in the chest, abdomen, and back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes of sharp right-side chest pain<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sharp pain on the right side of the chest is a common clinical symptom, and it can be due to a <\/span>variety of causes<\/span><\/a> that may be related to the lungs, chest muscles, digestive system, or an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulmonary embolism<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A <\/span>pulmonary embolism<\/span><\/a> develops when a blood clot travels to the lungs, where it blocks the arteries supplying blood to the lungs. The blood clot often forms in the legs (known as deep vein thrombosis), breaks apart, and lodges in the lung. One of the symptoms of pulmonary embolism is sharp and sudden chest pain, which may be felt on the right side. It is accompanied by heart palpitations, coughing, and shortness of breath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People who have these symptoms should see their healthcare provider, as pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency that can become dangerous when left untreated. Sometimes the blood clot causes a life-threatening condition: cardiac arrest (when the heart suddenly stops beating), pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), or cardiac arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulmonary embolism can be treated with medications known as <\/span>thrombolytics<\/span><\/a>, which can dissolve the blood clot. Or a healthcare provider may physically insert a catheter into the pulmonary arteries to break up the clot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

COPD<\/span><\/a> is the term for conditions (such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis) that restrict airflow and make breathing difficult. According to the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/span><\/a>, about 16 million Americans have COPD. Symptoms include sharp pain in the chest, shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production.<\/span><\/p>\n

In most cases, COPD is caused by chronic exposure to tobacco smoke or air pollutants. Hence, successful treatment requires quitting smoking, avoiding exposure to air pollutants, and taking prescribed medications or supplemental oxygen. A healthcare provider may determine that oxygen therapy is needed. Lung surgery is also available for severe cases of COPD.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lung cancer<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Studies show that <\/span>20%\u201340%<\/span><\/a> of people with lung cancer have chest pain. Tumors originating from the right lungs may cause pain on the right side of the chest. However, experts suggest that most lung cancers do not show <\/span>symptoms<\/span><\/a> until they\u2019ve spread to surrounding tissues or to the ribs. Other symptoms besides chest pain may include shortness of breath, coughing blood, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

People who have the above symptoms should see their healthcare provider to rule out lung cancer, which is <\/span>the second most diagnosed cancer<\/span><\/a> in the United States and a significant cause of cancer-related death in adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the CDC<\/span><\/a>, treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulmonary hypertension<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that develops from increased blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs. Experts suggest that this condition can also lead to <\/span>increased pressure on the right side of the heart<\/span><\/a>. When that happens, the right side of the heart has to work extra hard to pump blood to the lungs, and if this continues for a long time, it may lead to right-sided heart enlargement and heart failure. One of the primary symptoms of <\/span>pulmonary hypertension<\/span><\/a> is chest pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

End-stage pulmonary hypertension is a medical emergency. It cannot be cured entirely but can be managed by treating the underlying causes, which may be a lung or heart problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Asthma<\/strong><\/h4>\n

About <\/span>27 million people in the United States have asthma<\/span><\/a>, which is equivalent to 1 in 12 people, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma is a non-communicable disease that causes difficulty in breathing, and it may cause sharp pain on the <\/span>right side of the chest<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like pulmonary hypertension, <\/span>asthma<\/span><\/a> cannot be cured, but it can be managed by <\/span>using inhalers<\/span><\/a>. There are two kinds of inhalers: Bronchodilators open the airways, and steroids fight inflammation and reduce the risk of death or worsening asthma attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pneumothorax<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pneumothorax<\/span><\/a> occurs when there\u2019s a hole in the lungs and air accumulates outside the lungs, puts pressure on the lung tissue, and causes the lungs to collapse. The most common symptom is severe chest pain that worsens during breathing. The pain also spreads to the shoulder on the side of the body of the affected lung.<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment for a collapsed lung<\/span><\/a> depends on various factors, including the cause, size, and extent of the damage. A healthcare provider may recommend supplemental oxygen if the pneumothorax is minor but with symptoms. If it is more severe, an emergency department physician may insert a tube into your chest to drain the air outside the lungs. Surgery is another option for patients not responding to treatment or who have very severe symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pneumonia<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pneumonia is another lung infection that may cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing. <\/span>Other pneumonia symptoms<\/span><\/a> can include fast and shallow breathing, cough, fever and chills, loss of appetite, and fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics such as <\/span>amoxicillin<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pleurisy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Pleurisy is an inflammation that occurs in the pleura, the tissues that cover the lungs and separates them from the chest. With <\/span>pleurisy<\/span><\/a>, the pleura covering the two lungs swells up and rubs against each other. This causes the individual to experience sharp pain on either the right or left side of the chest, which worsens with breathing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is essential to report to your healthcare provider if you experience chest pain that worsens as you breathe. Treatment depends on the cause. If pleurisy is caused by bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection. But, if a viral infection causes pleurisy, it may heal on its own. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may equally be recommended for managing the pain and inflammation associated with this condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shingles\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Shingles<\/span><\/a> is a viral infection from herpes zoster that can cause crushing or squeezing chest pain followed immediately by the appearance of painful rashes. Shingles is common in older adults and have been associated with <\/span>an increased risk of heart attack and stroke<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While there is no cure for shingles, it\u2019s important to report it immediately to a healthcare provider to reduce the chances of associated complications. Antiviral medications such as <\/span>Acyclovir<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>zovirax<\/span><\/a>) and <\/span>famciclovir<\/span><\/a> are often prescribed. To help decrease the risk of shingles, <\/span>Shingrix<\/span><\/a> vaccine is FDA-approved for adults 50 and older. It is a two-vaccine series and significantly decreases the risk of a shingles outbreak.<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-cardiac chest pain<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Non-cardiac chest pain<\/span><\/a> is a persistent kind of pain that feels like squeezing, pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the chest, below or behind the breastbone. It may spread to the back, neck, arms, and jaws. This type of pain may occur after a large meal, physical activity, or cold temperatures. It may even be associated with emotional problems. Often, cardiac reasons for the chest pain need to be ruled out by an exam, EKG, and blood work. If the results are negative or normal, then it is deemed non-cardiac.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These common causes of non-cardiac chest pain that may lead to sharp pain on the right side of the chest include:<\/span><\/p>\n