What causes lower-right abdominal pain, and when is appendicitis suspected?
Lower-right abdominal pain can involve appendicitis, bowel or urinary problems, ovarian conditions and other causes. Worsening pain or pain moving from the navel toward the right needs prompt assessment. Absence of fever or the usual pattern does not rule out appendicitis.
Details
Symptoms vary
Appendicitis may involve nausea, appetite loss or bowel changes, and pain location can differ in pregnancy, children and older adults. A home abdominal-pressure test cannot reliably confirm or exclude it.
Possible pregnancy changes assessment
Mention pregnancy possibility even without a positive test. One-sided pain with vaginal bleeding, dizziness or shoulder-tip pain may occur in ectopic pregnancy; severe pain or fainting needs immediate emergency help.
What may assessment involve?
Blood and urine tests, pregnancy testing and appropriate imaging may be needed. Persistent or worsening pain merits same-day review; severe spreading pain or impaired consciousness or breathing is an emergency. Temporary improvement does not cancel the need for assessment.
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