Appendicitis Signs and Symptoms

The appendix in a human being is a small tube-like piece of tissue that extends from the colon to the large intestine. Appendicitis can occur when the appendix becomes swollen and inflamed from infection. Appendicitis is normally seen in people in the age group from 10 to 30 but can affect any age. There are more than 80,000 surgeries to deal with appendicitis each year in the United States, making it the number one emergency when it comes to abdominal surgery. Appendicitis symptoms are highlighted by pain and appendicitis can become a huge problem if the appendix actually bursts.

Pain Location

• The most identifiable symptom of appendicitis is the pain that is associated with the appendix as it becomes infected. In the initial stages it will be in the region of the person's belly button and then in a span of 12 to 18 hours it will migrate towards the lower right portion of the abdomen as tissues close by to the appendix become involved. Eventually the pain will be centered halfway between the belly button and the top of the person's right pelvic bone. In toddlers and women who are pregnant this pain may be in different areas of the lower abdomen.

Pain Severity

• The pain symptoms of appendicitis will become worse when someone presses on the right lower abdomen. The term "rebound tenderness" is used to describe the feeling of intense discomfort that occurs when someone applies pressure to the inflamed region of the appendix and then suddenly lets go. The pain will increase momentarily when this happens and is one way doctors often will attempt to diagnose appendicitis. Sudden movements, coughing and sneezing will bring bouts of jolting pain to someone with this condition. Lying on the side or bringing the knees forward and up towards the chest can help to relieve the severity of this pain.

Other Symptoms

• There are other signs of appendicitis besides the pain. One is a loss of appetite while another is a fever that beings once other symptoms begin to show up. There can be waves of nausea and also vomiting with appendicitis and there can be abdominal swelling. The person with appendicitis may find he is constipated and unable to pass stool or gas and if he does it may come in the form of diarrhea.

Ruptured Appendix Symptoms

• If someone suffers a ruptured appendix then the consequences and symptoms will be severe. The contents of the intestines will seep out into the abdominal cavity, causing an infection of that membrane known as peritonitis. The pain symptoms linked to the appendicitis will quickly disappear if it bursts but will be replaced in short order by bloating and a distended abdomen that is tender to touch. Pain will then permeate throughout the abdominal region. Passing gas or stool may be difficult at best and the person with peritonitis from a ruptured appendix will become thirsty and develop a fever. Peritonitis is an emergency and requires prompt treatment to attempt to contain the infection, which can easily be fatal.

Diagnosis

• Doctors often find it hard to diagnose appendicitis and depend on the symptoms to help them. They will apply pressure and look for the rebound tenderness and they will search for signs of stiffness in the abdomen. Blood tests can reveal a heightened white blood cell count as the body's immune system reacts to the infection. A urine test can rule out kidney stones and urinary tract infections. X-rays of the abdomen or an ultrasound may be ordered but most often a CT scan will be employed to produce a picture of the abdomen to aid the physician.