where does it hurt if you have appendicitis

Appendicitis usually starts as a vague ache around the middle of your belly (near the belly button) and then moves to the lower right side over several hours, where it becomes sharper and more constant. Movement, coughing, or pressing on that lower right spot often makes the pain worse, and many people also feel nauseous, lose their appetite, or develop a low‑grade fever.

Quick Scoop: Where it Hurts

• Early on, the pain is often around the belly button or upper central abdomen and can come and go or feel like a dull cramp.

• As appendicitis progresses, the pain typically “travels” to the lower right side of the abdomen, roughly halfway between the belly button and the right hip bone (McBurney’s point).

• The area can become very tender to touch, and the pain usually gets worse when walking, coughing, or doing sudden movements.

• If the appendix bursts, pain may suddenly feel worse and spread across the whole belly, often becoming severe and constant.

Important Safety Note

If you (or someone else) have:

• Worsening pain that has moved to the lower right belly,
• Pain that suddenly gets much worse or spreads across your abdomen,
• Or pain with fever, repeated vomiting, or feeling very unwell,

seek urgent in‑person medical care or emergency services immediately, as appendicitis can become life‑threatening if not treated quickly.