When to see a doctor
- Pain that starts around the belly button and moves to the lower right side
- Pain that gets worse when you walk, cough or press on the area
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling like vomiting, or vomiting
- Mild fever
- Constipation or loose motions along with stomach pain
Get urgent help if
- Stomach pain that suddenly gets much worse or spreads across the whole stomach
- A stomach that is hard, swollen or very painful to touch
- High fever or shivering with stomach pain
- Repeated vomiting, or being unable to keep fluids down
- Feeling faint, very drowsy or confused, especially in older people
Call the hospital on +91 251 260 8502 (open 24 hours) or go to the nearest emergency department. For an ambulance, call 108. Do not wait for an OPD appointment.
How care usually works
- The doctor will ask about your pain and gently press on your stomach area.
- Blood and urine tests may be advised to look for infection and rule out other causes. Women who could be pregnant may be offered a pregnancy test.
- An ultrasound scan (a scan using sound waves) or a CT scan (a detailed X-ray scan) may help confirm the diagnosis.
- If appendicitis is likely, your doctor may recommend an appendicectomy (an operation to remove the appendix). This is often done by laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery through small cuts using a thin camera). In some mild cases, antibiotics (medicines that fight infection) alone may be discussed instead. This usually still needs a hospital stay, and the problem can come back later.
- After treatment, pain relief is given and eating is started slowly. Your doctor will advise on wound care and when to return to normal activities. Contact the hospital if you get fever, worsening stomach pain or swelling, repeated vomiting, or a wound that is red or leaking pus.
Typical hospital stay
In general, if the appendix has not burst, many people go home within one to three days after keyhole surgery. A longer stay may be needed if the appendix has burst. Your doctor will tell you what to expect.
Doctors for this treatment
Frequently asked questions
How quickly should I see a doctor?
Stomach pain that starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right side should be checked the same day. Go to emergency care straight away if the pain is severe, spreading, or comes with high fever or repeated vomiting. In children, older people and pregnant women, the signs may be less clear, so seek advice early.
How will the doctor check for appendicitis?
The doctor will ask about your pain and examine your stomach area. Blood and urine tests are commonly done. A scan may be advised, especially if the diagnosis is not clear. Sometimes the doctor may keep you under observation for a few hours and check you again.
What happens if surgery is advised?
The operation removes the appendix, usually under general anaesthesia (medicine that puts you fully to sleep during the operation). It is often done by keyhole surgery, but sometimes a larger cut is needed. Your surgeon will explain the risks, the benefits and what to expect afterwards.
What should I do before reaching the hospital?
If appendicitis is possible, go to a hospital rather than waiting at home to see if it settles. Avoid laxatives (medicines that loosen motions) and hot water bags. Until a doctor has seen you, it is safer not to eat or drink, in case an operation is needed. Painkillers can hide symptoms, so tell the doctor about any you have taken.
A note about this page
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms.