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The Symptoms of Appendicitis

The appendix is a small sac located near the colon on the lower right side of the human body, reports the Mayo Clinic. Appendicitis is a condition that occurs when the appendix becomes infected and fills with pus.

  1. Shifting Pain

    • Pain that shifts locations in the body is the most common sign of appendicitis. Pain typically begins around the navel. It shifts to the lower right side of the abdomen at a point halfway between the navel and the right pelvic bone as the infection progresses

    Quality of Pain

    • Pushing on the painful area causes a feeling of tenderness. However, when pressure stops, the pain initially increases rather than subsides. Appendicitis pain usually worsens when walking or coughing, and it eases when lying on the side with the knees hugged to the chest.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, loss of appetite, low grade fever, constipation, difficulty passing gas, diarrhea, and abdominal swelling. In addition, appendicitis sometimes causes vomiting.

    Rupture Symptoms

    • If the appendicitis becomes too swollen, it ruptures or bursts. That results in the temporary disappearance of pain. Soon, the pain returns with increased severity, and the abdomen becomes swollen and hard.

    Warning

    • While appendicitis is a fairly common infection, a rupture is a medical emergency. Symptoms of appendicitis require immediate medical attention to prevent a burst.

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