If you’ve had stomach pain recently, you might have wondered how to check if you have appendicitis at home.
Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain that results in surgery in the United States, with about 5-9% of Americans having the condition at some point in their life, according to the National Institutes of Health.
One 2019 study confirmed acute appendicitis in 70% of children with abdominal pain who had worsening symptoms after jumping.
Anyone can get appendicitis, but it is most common in people in their 20s and 30s, research shows.
Although the “jump test” is not validated in adults, there are other simple at-home maneuvers you can try to help determine whether to seek medical attention for abdominal pain.
Early signs of appendicitis
The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that branches off where the small intestine meets the large intestine — near the right, lower side of the abdomen. Appendicitis typically causes pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, though there are some populations that may present differently, such as pregnant people.
Appendicitis occurs when the inside of the appendix gets blocked, which can happen due to a variety of causes, such as stool, germs or more rarely tumors. Surgery is typically necessary when the appendix comes inflamed and swollen.
While any type of severe abdominal pain needs immediate medical attention, these symptoms are the most commonly associated with appendicitis, according to Mayo Clinic.
- Pain that starts suddenly in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
- Pain that begins suddenly near the belly button and moves toward the lower right quadrant
- Pain that worsens if you move your abdomen, such as by walking or coughing
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Fever that worsens
- Bloating, gas
- Constipation, diarrhea
How do I rule out appendicitis at home?
There are several tests you can try at home to see if you may have appendicitis, such as the knee test and the hamburger sign.
However, these maneuvers…
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