We’ve all had stomach pain, like trapped gas, constipation, and indigestion, which usually go away on their own. Appendicitis, however, is when your appendix (a small, tube-like organ attached to the large intestine) becomes inflamed. If it’s not treated ASAP, it can lead to complications and cause your appendix to burst, which is life threatening.
Here’s how to tell if your stomach pain is actually appendicitis. If you suspect appendicitis, don’t brush it off. Call your doctor immediately.
References
Lotfollahzadeh, S., et al. (2024). Appendicitis. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2016). Appendicitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Symptoms and Causes of Appendicitis.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Brittany DoohanBrittany Doohan was the Content Director at HealthiNation and is currently the Editorial Director at Medscape. Through her work with Medscape, she won a Silver Telly Award in May 2022 for "Sleepless Nation: A Public Health Epidemic — Episode 2: A Decade Without a Diagnosis." She has worked in health journalism and video production for more than 8 years, and loves the challenge of explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand and creative way.
Reviewed by:
Karen Hovav, MD, FAAPKaren Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.
