Abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints in emergency rooms, but how do you know if it’s something as serious as appendicitis or just a bad bout of food poisoning?
Learn how to tell the difference, as appendicitis symptoms can quickly escalate and may require emergency surgery.
Here’s how to recognise the signs of appendicitis, when to seek immediate help and what to avoid if you suspect it.
What Are the Early Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine. It typically occurs when the appendix becomes blocked by stool, a foreign body or infection, causing it to swell and become inflamed.
Common appendicitis symptoms include:
- Sudden pain near the belly button, which later shifts to the lower right abdomen
- Pain that worsens with movement, coughing, or pressing on the area
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- High fever
- Bloating or gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
Early warning signs:
- Dull, cramping abdominal discomfort that becomes sharp over time
- Feeling unwell or “off” without a clear reason
- Discomfort in the right lower abdomen when walking or moving
Many people don’t immediately associate abdominal discomfort with appendicitis, as it often gets mistaken for indigestion, food poisoning or menstrual cramps.
However, the most telling sign that something may be seriously wrong is when the pain shifts to the lower right abdomen and becomes sharper or more intense, especially if it worsens with movement.
If this happens, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly to avoid complications like a ruptured appendix.
Appendicitis vs. Food Poisoning: What’s the Difference?
While both can cause abdominal pain, appendicitis and food poisoning are very different in their cause and urgency.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to seek medical attention promptly — untreated appendicitis can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications such as a ruptured appendix or widespread infection.
Can You Check for Appendicitis at Home?
Only a doctor can accurately diagnose appendicitis using a clinical examination and imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan.
However, there are some physical signs you can look out for on your own. These self-checks are not a substitute for medical evaluation, but they may help you recognise when to seek urgent care:
Rebound Tenderness
Gently press down on the lower right side of your abdomen and quickly release. If sharp pain occurs upon release (not during the press), it may be a sign of peritoneal irritation, often associated with appendicitis.
Rovsing’s Sign
Press on the lower left side of your abdomen. If you feel pain on the lower right side instead, this could suggest inflammation involving the appendix.
Psoas Sign (Leg Raise Test)
While lying on your back, try lifting your right leg straight up. Pain in the lower right abdomen during this movement may suggest that an inflamed appendix is pressing on or inflaming the nearby psoas muscle.
These signs are sometimes used by doctors during physical assessments for appendicitis.
However, they are not conclusive on their own – a proper clinical diagnosis, including scans and lab tests, is still necessary to confirm appendicitis.
How Long Can You Go Without Treating Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a medical emergency that typically worsens over time. In many cases, an inflamed appendix can rupture within 24 to 72 hours after the onset of symptoms.
However, this timeline can vary — some people may experience rupture sooner, while others may develop a contained abscess instead.
Once rupture occurs, bacteria can spread throughout the abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis, a potentially life-threatening infection that requires urgent surgery and antibiotics.
If left untreated, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis, a severe and life-threatening response that may result in organ failure and requires emergency medical care.
Can You Eat if You Have Appendicitis?
It’s best to avoid eating or drinking if you suspect appendicitis, especially before seeing a doctor. If surgery is needed, having food in your stomach can delay treatment or increase the risk during anesthesia.
What to Avoid If You Suspect Appendicitis
- Don’t take painkillers without medical advice — they may mask symptoms.
- Avoid eating or drinking until cleared by a doctor.
- Do not apply heat to the abdomen — it may worsen inflammation or lead to rupture.
- Don’t ignore worsening pain — even if symptoms seem mild at first.
Think It Might Be Appendicitis? Get Checked Today.
Appendicitis can worsen quickly — early diagnosis is crucial.
Dr. Tan Chun Hai, Lead Surgeon at Surgicare and an experienced appendix specialist in Singapore, performs minimally invasive laparoscopic appendectomies, which offer faster recovery, smaller incisions and fewer complications.
If you’re showing signs of appendicitis, contact us for assessment and treatment. For urgent cases after hours, you may proceed to Gleneagles Urgent Care Centre and request to see Dr. Tan Chun Hai — we’ll be ready to assist you.
Dr. Tan Chun Hai is a dual fellowship-trained specialist in Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Stomach Cancer Surgery and Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery. He treats conditions such as gallstones, appendicitis, GERD, and upper gastrointestinal cancers of the stomach and oesophagus, with a focus on minimally invasive surgical techniques to
support smoother recovery and shorter hospital stays.
In addition to his surgical expertise, Dr. Tan performs endoscopies and manages a wide range of digestive disorders, including abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn, and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
Where appropriate, he provides same-day treatment within a few hours of diagnosis, helping patients receive timely care.
References:
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis
- Di Saverio, S., Podda, M., De Simone, B., Ceresoli, M., Augustin, G., Gori, A., Boermeester, M., Sartelli, M., Coccolini, F., Tarasconi, A., De’ Angelis, N., Weber, D. G., Tolonen, M., Birindelli, A., Biffl, W., Moore, E. E., Kelly, M., Soreide, K., Kashuk, J., Ten Broek, R., … Catena, F. (2020). Diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis: 2020 update of the WSES Jerusalem guidelines. World journal of emergency surgery : WJES, 15(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13017-020-00306-3
