Appendicitis is a disease that can be serious. A person with appendicitis may experience severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and possibly even diarrhea or constipation. Appendicitis often occurs in children, but it can affect adults as well.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix and is considered one of the most common causes of acute abdomen. The condition is very painful and can potentially cause death if not treated properly. Here’s what you should know about appendicitis symptoms and how you can determine if it is already the real deal.

What Happens With Appendicitis?

The appendix is a small pouch-like organ located at the lower end of your large intestine. Your appendix has no digestive function and serves mainly as a storage space for bacteria. It also helps to protect your body from infection by storing part of the immune system in the lining of your intestines.

In rare cases, the appendix will become inflamed or infected. This condition is called appendicitis. An inflamed appendix can lead to swelling around the area, which can cause pain, discomfort, and possibly even nausea and vomiting. In some cases, the appendix becomes so swollen that it bursts, leading to peritonitis and sepsis.

If you think you have appendicitis, it is important to get immediate medical attention. You need to see a doctor right away because appendicitis isn’t something that you want to wait to treat. If you don’t seek treatment soon enough, then you could develop more complications, including peritonitis.

Nowadays appendicitis is considered as a common and minor problem because it can be solve with the help of some medicines and in the worst case with the help of a surgery. So people don’t have to be worry about anything as after the removal of appendix they will be able to live their life as they were living before it.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

There are several different types of appendicitis, and they all present similarly. Some signs and symptoms include:

  Pain in the lower left side of your stomach (or anywhere along the path of your colon)

  Nausea and/or vomiting

  Fever

  Bloating

  Diarrhea or constipation

  Reduced appetite

  A feeling that you just can’t hold down anything

Other symptoms include:

  Abdominal cramps, especially on the left side

  Difficulty breathing

  Weakness

  Swelling around the belly button

  Tenderness around the belly button

  Increased sensitivity to light

How to Diagnose Appendicitis

To diagnose appendicitis, your physician will perform various tests, such as blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. These tests help to detect whether there is an actual problem with the appendix and whether there is any blockage.

How to Treat Appendicitis

If you believe that you have appendicitis, you need to go immediately to the emergency room or call 911. There is no time to waste when dealing with this type of condition. The sooner it is detected and treated, the less likely you are to suffer from life-threatening complications.

Once you are diagnosed with appendicitis, your emergency room physician will begin treating you immediately. Depending on what kind of appendicitis you have, you might undergo surgery to remove the appendix. However, there are other treatments available too, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you have appendicitis, it is best to avoid taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen, since these medications increase the risk of developing peritonitis. Also avoid aspirin, since it increases the chances of bleeding.

It is best to take over-the-counter analgesics like Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Vicodin, or Aleve instead. If you suffer from severe pain, you should consult your doctor before taking any prescription medication, since certain medicines can interact with each other and worsen your symptoms.

Preventative Measures With Appendicitis

You can prevent appendicitis by taking steps to ensure that you are healthy. First, make sure that you wash your hands often, especially after using the restroom and before eating meals. Second, make sure to eat balanced diets and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Lastly, take care of any infections that you have. When you have an infection, you should go to the doctor immediately. Doing so could prevent your appendix from becoming inflamed, and it could also decrease the chance of getting another infection.

As mentioned earlier, appendicitis is often seen in children, who are much younger than adults. For young children, parents should pay close attention to their child’s behavior, diet, and exercise routine. Children are at high risk for appendicitis because they eat and play differently from adults. They tend to swallow objects and food without chewing them thoroughly, and this makes them prone to getting infections.

Parents should teach their kids good table manners and encourage them to chew their food thoroughly. Parents should also ask their kids to drink plenty of water and limit their intake of soda pop and sugary foods. Lastly, parents should also avoid letting their kids play sports and games that involve contact, like football.