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Appendix With Chronic Inflammation & Pain

Chronic appendicitis differs from acute appendicitis both in severity of symptoms and frequency of diagnosis. The subtlety of chronic appendix-inflammation symptoms can make a timely diagnosis difficult. Awareness of the symptoms is critical to the prevention of serious or even fatal problems.

  1. Appendix

    • The appendix is a narrow tube extending from your large intestine. This 3 1/2-inch worm-like appendage may have some infection-fighting capabilities, but it is not an essential body part.

    Appendix Problems

    • Appendicitis, both acute and chronic, occurs when there is inflammation in the appendix. The tube can become blocked with fecal matter or mucus, leading to inflammation and infection.

    Symptoms

    • If you suffer from chronic appendix inflammation, you may have a general feeling of malaise. In addition to feeling fatigued, you may have general feelings of abdominal discomfort, especially in the lower or central portions of your abdomen. Mild nausea and mild stomach pain could also occur, spanning months of time, rather than days (as opposed to symptoms of a flu virus).

    Chronic Appendicitis

    • You may be inclined to dismiss the mildly painful symptoms of chronic appendix inflammation. Ignoring the ongoing, subtle symptoms can lead to wide-spread intestinal infection and possibly, death, if not caught and treated in time.

    Treatment for Chronic Inflammation

    • Chronic appendix inflammation is not typically treated through surgery, as with acute appendicitis. Instead, doctors usually treat chronic appendix inflammation with powerful antibiotics. However, if the antibiotics fail to eliminate the infection, surgical removal of the appendix may be necessary.

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