What does appendicitis feel like?

Appendicitis is a medical emergency that almost always requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. read more

You should also look for other common symptoms of appendicitis, like a high fever, nausea, chills, back pain, constipation, and diarrhea. If you're unable to stand up or walk without experiencing severe pain, you may have appendicitis and you should seek emergency care immediately. read more

Conditions such as an ectopic pregnancy, Crohn's disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, and constipation can feel similar to appendicitis. But don't guess—see a doctor. Even if the symptoms are not traditional, doctors can do an ultrasound or a white-blood-cell count (which would be high if you have an infection) to help diagnose appendicitis, Dr. Payne says. read more