10 Signs of Appendicitis.
Appendicitis, inflammation of the appendix, is a potentially serious condition that can
have several consequences for one’s health and well-being.
The standard treatment for acute appendicitis is surgical removal of the diseased organ.
In typical cases, appendicitis occurs when a portion of the appendix gets blocked by
some substance—usually a stone-like portion of fecal material or, in some cases, by parasites,
tumor, or even gallstones.
The blockage has three consequences: increase in internal pressure within the appendix,
a decrease in blood supply to the wall of the organ, and bacterial overgrowth that is
responsible for inflammation.
This combination of dysfunctions causes tissue injury and death in the appendix.
If the condition is not treated timely, the appendix may burst, thereby releasing bacteria
into the abdominal cavity; this leads to excessive pain as well as the risk of further complications.
Interestingly, the diagnosis of appendicitis is often based on the observation of signs
and symptoms of the suffering individual that are rather distinctive if present.
However, in some cases, where no symptoms manifest or there is some ambiguity regarding
the diagnosis, radiography and laboratory testing is used for detection.
Usually, ultrasound and computer tomography (CT) scan are the most effective in diagnosis
of this condition.
Since the preliminary attempts at diagnosis rely upon bodily signs and symptoms, it is
very important that one be aware of the typical manifestations of appendicitis.
Here are 10 symptoms that are commonly exhibited by those suffering from it.
1.
Ache in the Belly Button Area.
Though most people associate appendicitis with intense pain in the lower-right side
of the abdomen, more often than not, that’s not how it begins.
The earliest sign is an ache in the belly button area that soon travels to the lower
portion of the abdomen.
The pain in the belly button area occurs because the nerves of the appendix meet the spinal
cord at the same level as the belly button.
When the appendix is inflamed, therefore, pain is first felt in this area.
The ache can get very intense and be exacerbated by movement or sudden jerks to the body.
2.
Abdominal Pain that Intensifies Over Time.
From the belly button area, the pain usually moves down to the right lower quadrant of
the abdomen.
This occurs when, with increasing inflammation and swelling, the appendix begins to irritate
the adjacent abdominal wall.
The pain then continually intensifies, sometimes to unbearable proportions that impede any
other activity, including sleep.
Within a few hours, the pain can get alarmingly intense so that a doctor’s consultation
needs be sought immediately.
However, it is recommended that the moment a patient is able to localize the ache to
the lower right abdomen, medical attention is called for as soon as possible.
3.
Fever and Chills.
In some cases, the symptoms of appendicitis mimic those of gastrointestinal infections.
Patients thus may run a temperature, have chills running through their body, and feel
generally unwell.
Experts suggest that if one has a stomach ache and a low-grade fever (under 100 degrees),
there is no need to be worried about appendicitis.
However, if they are experiencing severe abdominal pain alongside fever ranging from 103 degrees
to higher, it is a major cause for concern, and it would be best to seek a professional
opinion so as to prevent further discomfort and/or complications.
4.
Nausea and Vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting are common in patients with appendicitis.
This is because the intense abdominal pain causes neurological responses that trigger
the urge to expel all that is consumed.
The urge to vomit may or may not be followed by actual vomiting.
However, it is important to note it when the feeling arises.
If the nausea precedes the pain, it is probably not the appendix to blame but some other condition.
However, if nausea and/or vomiting occurs after the pain, the likelihood of appendicitis
is high.
If one has vomiting spells for over 12 hours, after the onset of stomach pain as well as
fever, there is little doubt about the appendix being inflamed.
5.
Loss of Appetite.
Most victims of appendicitis also experience loss of appetite.
This, too, can be associated with the neurological response to pain and inflammation.
When the abdomen is irritated and aching, the urge to consume foods is naturally diminished.
As a consequence, there is usually a significant decrease in the suffering individual’s appetite.
This is such a common bodily reaction to appendicitis that the diagnosis is doubtful if the patient
maintains their usual appetite and eating habits for the duration of their discomfort.
6.
Constipation.
It is widely known that chronic constipation is itself one of the causes of appendicitis.
This could be because long-term indigestion, coupled with the intake of over-the-counter
laxatives to relieve constipation, leads to inflammation of the bowels, which then spreads
to the appendix.
It could also be due to obstruction of the appendix.
However, in many cases, those who develop appendicitis either continue to feel constipated
(if they had chronic constipation) or begin to do so.
Like several other symptoms, the constipation may not be excessively severe but is a further
indicator that the appendix may be inflamed.
7.
Loose Bowel Movements.
Diarrhea is a less common symptom of appendicitis, with roughly 1 in 5 patients tending to suffer
from it.
Young children with appendicitis are more likely to have loose bowel movements, and
they begin after the pain in most instances.
The stool is watery and tends to have a lot of mucus in it.
If such signs are noticed along with other typical symptoms, it is recommended that expert
opinion be sought quickly.
8.
Flatulence.
Similar to cases of indigestion and gastrointestinal infections, appendicitis may also cause excessive
gas production in the digestive tract and/or difficulty in passing it.
However, these signs become indicative of appendicitis only when occurring in conjunction
with abdominal pain in lower right region and fever as well.
Otherwise, it is likely to be some other condition that is causing an individual to be abnormally
flatulent.
9.
Abdominal Bloating.
Bloating is a related condition in those suffering from excessive flatulence.
Thus, if someone with appendicitis develops abnormal gas production as a consequence of
the former condition, abdominal bloating will also occur.
The patient will experience the feeling of fullness, regardless of the quantity of food
consumed and how long ago a meal was eaten.
10.
Rebound Tenderness.
Another very telling sign of appendiceal inflammation is that when the lower abdomen is pressed
and released, a sharp pain is felt as the pressure is removed.
This is called rebound tenderness.
Doctors recommend that, if felt once, patients should not press the abdomen to check over
and over again.
Instead, proper medical attention should be gotten at their earliest convenience so that
adequate measures can be taken to confirm the diagnosis.
Based on this list of 10 signs, one can conclude that appendicitis is characterized by severe
pain in the lower right abdominal region, with several additional symptoms that may
or may not be present.
Therefore, one needs to be vigilant in monitoring any stomach pain they may be suffering and
the symptoms that appear alongside it; if they include a combination of those described
here, it is most likely appendicitis that is causing all the trouble.
Treatment must then be sought quickly, particularly because of the risk of appendix rupture.