Overview
An appendix is a tube-like narrow pouch attached to the lower right part of the large intestine. If the appendix is blocked, inflamed, or infected, it causes a medical condition called appendicitis. It mainly occurs due to an obstruction caused by hardened stool buildup, bacterial infection, and other growths.
An inflamed appendix can rupture within a short time after the onset of the symptoms. The ruptured appendix releases content and bacteria that can spread the infection into the abdominal cavity and bloodstream and cause serious medical issues like sepsis or peritonitis. This is a life-threatening condition and needs immediate medical attention.
It is important to detect the early signs of appendicitis and seek medical advice immediately.
What are the early symptoms of appendicitis?
The early symptoms are mild and may not be easy to detect. You may not feel any pain but general discomfort, loss of appetite, and nausea. As the condition progresses, the symptoms will get intense.
The main symptom of appendicitis is intense abdominal pain.
Early symptoms of abdominal pain:
- The pain is not confined to a particular area.
- You may find it difficult to localize or pinpoint the pain
- The pain generally starts at the central part, that is the navel area
- As the pain progresses, it moves closer to where your appendix is located, the right lower part of the abdomen
Appendicitis symptoms
As the condition progresses, the appendicitis pain becomes more intense.
Abdominal pain symptoms:
- Sudden and intense pain on the right lower side of the abdomen
- The pain gets localized in one area
- Constant pain for several hours
- The pain worsens with movements, coughing, deep breaths, or sneezing
- The pain can worsen within a few hours
- The pain is severe and not like any other abdominal pain
Other symptoms
Fever
As the inflammation and infection progresses, it affects the immunity system, and you may develop a fever. A high fever indicates that the appendix has ruptured and requires emergency medical intervention.
Swollen abdomen
This is an advanced symptom and may indicate that the appendix has ruptured. You may feel bloated and the belly looks distended.
Feeling less hungry
You are unwell and your belly hurts. There may be a loss of appetite and malaise.
Feeling nauseous
As the appendix gets inflamed, you might feel nauseated and the condition can improve after vomiting or even get worse.
Bowel problems
There may be constipation and difficulty in passing gas. Some people may have an overactive bowel and frequent loose stools or diarrhea.
Frequent urination
The appendix may irritate the connecting nerves and there may be a frequent urge to urinate.
Appendicitis symptoms in children
Appendicitis symptoms may vary depending on age. Infants and small children may experience abdominal tenderness with minimal to no pain compared to older patients.
Your child may experience low-grade fever.
They may experience less frequent bowel movements or diarrhea. However, these symptoms may indicate other medical conditions.
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Appendicitis symptoms in pregnancy
During pregnancy, the uterus grows, which may displace the bowel and the appendix. As the location of the appendix changes, the pain may shift to the upper right corner of the abdomen rather than the lower part, unlike general patients.
Other symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal tenderness
- Flatulence
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Chills
What precautions can I follow at home after an appendicitis surgery?
An appendectomy is the surgical treatment for appendicitis. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the appendix.
Home care and recovery depend on the type of surgery, the severity of the infection, and your overall health.
If you have undergone a laparoscopic appendectomy, you will be released home the same day after surgery.
In case of a ruptured appendectomy, your doctor will put you on antibiotics for the infection, and keep you in the hospital under observation for a few days.
Precautions after an appendectomy
- The incision site should be dry and clean
- Wash hands before touching the incision site
- Follow dietary instructions
- Avoid pulling the thin strips that cover the incisions. The strips will fall off after some time
- Wait for your doctor’s recommendation before taking a full bath
- Wear loose, cotton clothes
- Take prescription medicines regularly
- Limit strenuous activities and contact sports
- Get adequate rest and resume light activities at home
- Do not drive after surgery
- Your doctor may ask you to take some light laxatives in the first few days post-surgery
- Eat a well-cooked, low-fat diet until your doctor asks you to resume your regular diet
When to call emergency care?
Call your doctor immediately if:
- The incision site gets worse
- There is swelling, redness, or fluid leakage from the incision site
- Intense abdominal pain that is getting worse
- Severe constipation or diarrhea
- Excessive bloating
- Nausea
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Traces of blood in the vomit
- Blood in the urine
- Dizziness
- High fever
- Trouble breathing
