The most telltale symptom of appendicitis is a sudden, sharp pain that starts on the right side of your lower abdomen. It may also start near your belly button and then move lower to your right. The pain may feel like a cramp at first, and it may get worse when you cough, sneeze, or move.
What can be mistaken for appendix pain?
Appendicitis can easily be confused with something else, such as:
- gastroenteritis.
- severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- constipation.
- bladder or urine infections.
- Crohn's disease.
- a pelvic infection.
How do you tell if that pain is your appendix?
Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include:
- Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower abdomen.
- Sudden pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen.
- Pain that worsens if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
