5 Sneaky Signs Of Appendicitis You Shouldn't Ignore

Our appendix, a thin tube positioned where our small intestine meets our large intestine, is a perplexing organ. In fact, many believe it to be rather useless, offering no real perks for our health. But when something goes wrong with your appendix, it can lead to appendicitis ― and the pain can be unbearable.

Appendicitis is essentially when the appendix becomes blocked, swollen or infected. It commonly affects people between the ages of 10 and 30, with 8.6% of men and 6.7% of women being diagnosed in their lifetime.

The good news is that, with “modern technology and healthcare, appendicitis is no longer a life-threatening illness,” said Dr. Kiran Turaga , a professor of surgery at Yale School of Medicine.

However, about half of people with appendicitis don’t have the typical presentation of symptoms, which include specific pain, fever and vomiting. This is specifically seen among kids, pregnant women and elderly seniors.

We spoke to physicians about what may emerge as sneaky signs of appendicitis and what to do if you need to seek help:

Pain in the lower right side of abdomen

Since the appendix is located in the lower right portion of your body, you may experience pain concentrated in that area.

“The pain typically starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right abdomen, becoming sharper and more severe over time,” said Dr. Kristy Ziontz , an emergency medicine physician at Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center.

The pain may also feel like a period cramp or radiate toward the hip, Turaga said.

Constipation or diarrhea

According to Dr. Supriya Rao , a gastroenterologist and director of weight loss at Lowell General Hospital, patients experiencing appendicitis may experience