Recognizing Appendicitis Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Appendicitis is most common to be experienced by individuals from ages 10 to 30. Additionally, this also affects 1 in 1,000 people living in the U.S. Your chances are high of having appendicitis if you have a family history of it, especially if you’re a man. Let’s now explore the various symptoms associated with appendicitis. If you have these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor immediately.

Appendicitis refers to the inflammation of a finger-shaped pouch called an appendix. This organ projects from your colon to the lower side of your abdomen. In most people, the pain starts around the naval then moves to the lower right abdomen, but just abdominal pain isn’t enough to be concerned. If you have the following symptoms, be sure to see a doctor immediately.

Constipation

While this may be a less common symptom, you may still experience changes in bowel movements. This commonly results in difficulty passing stool due to the inflamed appendix that can cause an obstruction or blockage in the intestines. However, it’s important to remember that constipation isn’t always present in individuals with appendicitis.

To determine the reason why you have constipation due to appendicitis, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away. Your doctor can perform a physical examination or diagnostic tests (blood tests or urine tests).

Bloating and gas

The swelling and inflammation of the appendix can cause blockage in the digestive system. This can result in a buildup of fluid and gas in the intestines, where you may experience discomfort and bloating. Bloating and gas are also the results of the progress of appendix inflammation. This can irritate the surrounding tissues and organs in the abdomen.

It’s also worth noting that different digestive issues can cause bloating and gas. It’s important to seek medical treatment if you’re already experiencing persistent bloating and gas.

Painful urination

There are rare cases when a swollen appendix can put pressure on the ureter or bladder, which can cause pain during urination. Appendicitis can mimic urinary system symptoms because of its closeness to the right ureter. Compression of the right ureter may lead to urinary obstruction and can mimic urinary tract infections as well.

A study shows that ⅓ of 500 patients with acute appendicitis suffer from urinary symptoms. But ureteral compression with hydronephrosis is a rare complication of acute appendicitis. Moreover, it’s also rare for bilateral urinary obstruction to be seen, but some individuals can experience it.

Loss of appetite

This is one of the most common symptoms of appendicitis. The body releases cytokines when the appendix becomes inflamed. Cytokines are the proteins that your immune system produces in response to inflammation.

But cytokines can contribute to the loss of appetite that people with appendicitis experience, despite these being an essential part of your body’s immune response. You will feel unwell to finish your food due to the pain and discomfort of having appendicitis.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain can start as a dull ache and will eventually become more intense in the next few hours or days. The pain usually starts around the belly button and moves to where the appendix is located– the lower right abdomen.

Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom in a research wherein 120 patients from ages 5 or less required an appendicitis operation and had a complete medical database. The pain may intensify if you breathe deeply, cough, or walk.

Mild fever

100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit of a low-grade fever is common in people with appendicitis. Your fever becomes mild when symptoms can signify that your body is signing off an infection or inflammation in the appendix. In some cases, appendicitis can cause a higher fever than 101 degrees Fahrenheit if left untreated.

This can happen in cases when your appendix bursts because the resulting infection can cause your fever to intensify. A ruptured appendix may occur with a fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit and an increase in heart rate.

Swelling

Children that are 3 years old and below tend to experience abdominal pain due to swollen stomachs. Swelling in the lower right abdomen can be a sign of appendicitis. This can be felt when you press the area around your belly button, and it can become noticeable over time.

Seek medical help immediately once you notice swelling in your abdomen. Delaying medical treatment will only lead to more severe and complicated health conditions.

Nausea

This pertains to the feeling of unease in the stomach that leads you to the urge to vomit. Studies revealed that over half of the patients who have appendicitis experience nausea and vomiting as a symptom. When the appendix becomes swollen and inflamed, it can cause irritation to the lining of the digestive system and abdomen due to vomiting or nausea.

Moreover, nausea is also the result of the infection which leads to the buildup of toxins in the body. Aside from appendicitis, nausea can also be a symptom of health conditions such as food poisoning, infection, and other digestive disorders.

Behavior changes

It’s important to note that behavior changes aren’t directly associated with appendicitis since the condition primarily affects the abdominal and digestive systems. However, your behavior can be affected by discomfort, pain, and stress due to having appendicitis.

Young children or infants may find difficulty in articulating their symptoms of appendicitis. They may also become less active or lethargic because any movement may worsen their condition.

Diarrhea

Studies show that 50 percent of people with appendicitis experience diarrhea as one of their symptoms. This can occur before the onset of abdominal pain, which makes it difficult to find the symptoms of appendicitis. Moreover, it’s also a sign that inflammation and irritation occur in the intestines due to the infection that has spread beyond the appendix.

If you have mild diarrhea, it’s important to see your doctor about your condition, especially if there’s a lot of mucus on it, along with lower-right abdominal pain. Even though you experience mild symptoms, seeking medical help as soon as possible is better to prevent yourself from experiencing worse conditions.