Appendix pain, typically caused by appendicitis, usually begins as a dull or cramping pain around the belly button (the mid-abdomen area). Over several hours, this pain intensifies and shifts to the lower right side of the abdomen, where the appendix is located
. Specifically:
- Initial pain is often felt near the belly button or mid-upper abdomen.
- As inflammation progresses, the pain moves to the lower right abdomen, becoming sharper and more severe.
- The lower right abdominal area may become tender and painful to touch, especially around a spot called McBurney's point, which is directly above the appendix
- In some cases, if the appendix bursts, pain can spread across the entire abdomen and become very severe
Though most people experience pain in the lower right abdomen, some may feel pain elsewhere due to anatomical variations or spread of inflammation. Rarely, pain can be felt on the left side in cases such as situs inversus or due to rebound tenderness
. Other symptoms often accompany appendix pain, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and worsening abdominal tenderness
. In summary, appendix pain is primarily felt starting around the belly button and then localizing to the lower right side of the abdomen, intensifying as the condition worsens
