Abdominal pain is a adult signboard of appendicitis — but it ’s not the only one .

Our appendix , a thin thermionic tube positioned where our little gut see our large bowel , is a perplexing organ . In fact , many believe it to be rather useless , offering no real perks for our health . But when something go awry with your appendix , it can conduct to appendicitis ― and the pain can be intolerable .

Appendicitis is essentially when the appendix becomes blocked , egotistical or infect . Itcommonly affectspeople between the ages of 10 and 30 , with 8.6 % of men and 6.7 % of women being diagnosed in their lifetime .

A person is sitting on a couch, holding their lower right abdomen in discomfort. There are decorative pillows on the couch

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

However , about half of masses with appendicitisdon’t have the typical presentationof symptoms , which let in specific pain , febrility and disgorgement . This is specifically seen among fry , pregnant cleaning woman and elderly elder .

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

Person holding their abdomen, indicating stomach pain, with a towel wrapped around their waist

Pain in the lower right side of abdomen

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

“ The pain typically start up near the abdomen button and then move to the lower right abdomen , becoming sharp and more spartan over clock time , ” said Dr. Kristy Ziontz , an parking brake medicine physician at Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center .

The pain may also finger like a flow cramp iron or radiate toward the rose hip , Turaga said .

A person sitting on a toilet with grey shorts around their ankles, holding a roll of toilet paper in a bathroom with a woven basket and a grey rug

Constipation or diarrhea

consort to Dr. Supriya Rao , a gastroenterologist and director of free weight loss at Lowell General Hospital , affected role experiencing appendicitis may know stultification or diarrhea . These can be unexpected symptom you ’ll want to pay up attention to , Rao enunciate .

Lower back pain

It ’s normal to feel like the infliction is n’t go out . The sorry news , however , is that infliction can also extend toward the right side of the back , Rao order . This can mimic the discomfort that take place with spine egress or other continuing back problems . Some people may even experience this pain in their hamstring tendon or rectum .

Loss of appetite

If you point out that you do n’t have the same desire to eat as you used to , then chance are you ’re experience a loss of appetite . This is often an early house of appendicitis , according to Turaga .

Pain with movement

Another unexpected signal could be bother when move around .

“ painful sensation from appendicitis will not go forth on its own and usually generate worse with drift such as bending over , sneezing or coughing , ” Rao said .

What to do if you’re experiencing these symptoms

“ If you believe you may have appendicitis but are not sure , it is always helpful to launch the symptoms by your primary tutelage doctor or pediatrist , ” Rao articulate .

However , if you have high fevers and grievous abdominal pain , you may want to bring down the emergency way to see a specialist right away . Clinicians will assess you by doing a history ingestion , a physical test and ordering any bloodwork or imaging that may be need , Ziontz explained .

Appendicitis left untreated can cause perforation and sepsis , Turaga said , both of which can be serious . While discussion options vary , sometimes surgery may be require , and if so , a referral to a operating surgeon will be made . This article in the first place come out inHuffPost .

Person outdoors in athletic clothing, facing away, holding their lower back with both hands, suggesting discomfort or pain

Woman in a kitchen looking thoughtfully at a slice of bread, with more slices on a plate in front of her

A patient with back pain, wearing a brown shirt, is being examined by a healthcare professional in a white coat, who is placing hands on the patient's back

Person sitting on a bed, holding their stomach in pain. They are wearing a tank top and lace-trim shorts