[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/appendicitis-symptoms\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/appendicitis-symptoms\/","headline":"Appendicitis Symptoms and Warning Signs: What You Need to Know","name":"Appendicitis Symptoms and Warning Signs: What You Need to Know","description":"Abdominal pain can be a sign that your appendix\u2014the tube of tissue at the end of your large intestine\u2014may be in trouble. ","datePublished":"2017-06-03","dateModified":"2023-01-25","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/emergency-medicine","name":"Trauma & Emergency Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/emergency-medicine","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/trauma-emergency-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/GettyImages-1382291597.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/GettyImages-1382291597.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/appendicitis-symptoms\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":391,"keywords":["appendicitis","emergency room","stomach pain"],"articleBody":"Anyone who has ever felt a twinge in their right side has probably wondered if it’s a symptom of appendicitis.Fortunately, mild discomfort like this is usually just gas or another minor ailment. But in some cases, abdominal pain can be a sign that your appendix \u2014 the tube of tissue at the end of your large intestine \u2014 may be in trouble. Learn more about these critical appendicitis symptoms so you can get the help you may need.What Is Acute Appendicitis?In the simplest terms, acute appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch on the right side of your lower abdomen that appears to have no purpose or function.Acute appendicitis typically occurs when a blockage in the appendix’s lining causes a bacterial infection, which in turn leads to inflammation. Left untreated, the appendix can rupture, spreading bacteria throughout the abdomen\u2014a medical emergency that can be life threatening. Anyone can develop acute appendicitis, but it’s most common in younger people between ages 10 and 30.Acute Appendicitis SymptomsDespite the seriousness of this problem, symptoms of appendicitis usually start out fairly mild. Over time, they can become severe. Watch for symptoms such as:Sudden pain that starts near your bellybutton and shifts to your lower right abdomen.Pain that gets worse when you take deep breaths, cough, or sneeze.Abdominal bloating.Nausea.Vomiting.Constipation.Diarrhea.Loss of appetite.Low-grade fever.Because such symptoms can also be signs of many other gastrointestinal problems \u2014 from gas to a stomach bug to chronic conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease \u2014 it’s important to pay attention to your general health so you notice any changes.Find an emergency room or urgent care facility near you with UPMC CareFinder.Appendicitis Pain or Something Else?What tends to make appendicitis-related pain different from other types of abdominal pain includes:It occurs suddenly.It gets worse over the course of just a few hours.It occurs before other symptoms, like bloating or nausea.It can be described as different from other pain you’ve experienced.If you suspect you or a loved one may be experiencing acute appendicitis, seek medical attention immediately. Treatment usually involves minimally invasive surgical removal of the appendix and a course of antibiotics to treat infection.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on June 3, 2017, and was last reviewed on April 8, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Appendicitis Symptoms and Warning Signs: What You Need to Know","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/06\/appendicitis-symptoms\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]