Appendicitis Symptoms in Adults

Appendicitis symptoms in adults typically start suddenly and continue to develop over a period of several hours. Although anyone can have appendicitis, it occurs most frequently in people 10 to 30 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Significance

• Appendicitis, if not treated, can lead to a very serious condition called peritonitis. Awareness of appendicitis symptoms is crucial to obtaining early treatment.

Features

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain that typically starts in the region of the navel. The pain gradually moves lower and to the right and settles in the lower right abdomen.

Time Frame

• The time it takes for the initial pain of appendicitis to spread and settle in the lower right abdomen is usually several hours.

Considerations

• Other common symptoms of appendicitis include fever, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Constipation or diarrhea and difficulty passing gas may also be present, and the area where the pain settles may be tender when touched.

Warning

• Adults over 50 years of age and pregnant women are not likely to display the usual symptoms of appendicitis, according to the University of Michigan Health System.