Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix. This occurs when your appendix, a worm-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine, becomes inflamed.
The appendix
Appendicitis is caused by a blockage of the hollow portion of the appendix,most commonly by a calcified “stone” made of feces. However inflamed lymphoid tissue from a viral infection, parasites, gallstone or tumors may also cause the blockage.This blockage leads to increased pressures within the appendix, decreased blood flow to the tissues of the appendix, and bacterial growth inside the appendix causing inflammation.
The combination of inflammation, reduced blood flow to the appendix and distention of the appendix causes tissue injury and tissue death.
If this process is left untreated, the appendix may burst, releasing bacteria into the abdominal cavity, leading to severe abdominal pain and increased complications.
The diagnosis of appendicitis is largely based on the person’s signs and symptoms.
See your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
1. Belly-button pain: Appendicitis pain often occurs in the lower-right side of the abdomen. The first sign, however, is typically discomfort near the belly button, which then moves to the lower abdomen.
The pain also will get worse if you move your legs or abdomen; cough or sneeze; for example.
2. Rapidly worsening pain: Once the pain is in the lower part of the abdomen, it can be very intense.
Appendicitis is severe enough to wake someone who is sleeping. Once it hits, the severity of pain can increase quickly within a matter of hours.
3. Low-grade fever and chills: Appendicitis symptoms may mimic those of a stomach bug, including a low-grade fever, chills, and shaking.
If you have stomach pain with a 100-degree fever, it’s probably nothing to worry about much. But if you have a 103-degree fever and your stomach pain is severe enough that you can’t stand up straight, it may be appendicitis.
4. Vomiting, nausea, or loss of appetite: You may experience loss of appetite with some mild nausea and vomiting, similar to what you might have with a stomach bug. If it improves after a day or so, you might be fine.
But if it continues to get worse particularly if you also have a fever and lower-right abdominal pain, seek medical attention. If you have been vomiting for more than 12 hours, or have had diarrhea for more than a couple days, you should call your doctor.
5. Constipation or Diarrhea: Like many of the other symptoms, these may not be severe and probably will come on after you’ve already experienced abdominal pain.
But if you have mild diarrhea especially if there is a lot of mucus in it in addition to lower-right abdominal pain, see your doctor.
6. Gas and Bloating: You need to be careful if you have bloated for more than a couple days, and have a lot of gas accompanied by bowel pain, or have trouble passing gas.
These are general symptoms that may indicate appendicitis if they occur in conjunction with other telltale signs, such as fever and pain in the lower-right abdomen.
Appendicitis cannot be prevented. However, it is less common in people who have diets high in fiber. This includes diets which contain lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Seek medical attention immediately if you think you have appendicitis. Untreated appendicitis can become a medical emergency.
