Content

• Symptoms that require urgent medical attention
• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Checking for Appendicitis Symptoms
• Part 2 of 2: Seeking Medical Care
• Tips
• Warnings

The inflammatory process in the lower abdominal region may turn out to be appendicitis. This diagnosis is most often made to people between the ages of 10 and 30, but children under 10 and women over 50 may have difficulties in identifying appendicitis based on traditionally known symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with appendicitis, you will most likely need surgery to remove the appendix, a small process of the small intestine. This operation is classified as a medical emergency, so it is important for you to know the signs of appendicitis so that you can see a doctor as soon as possible if necessary.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Consult a gastroenterologist before using any method.

Symptoms that require urgent medical attention

• Contact your doctor or call an ambulance at 103 (mobile) or 03 (landline) if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
• body temperature above 38 ° C;
• backache;
• decreased appetite;
• nausea and vomiting;
• painful urination;
• pain in the rectum, back, or abdomen.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Checking for Appendicitis Symptoms

1. 1 Pay attention to common symptoms of appendicitis. The most common symptom of appendicitis is a dull abdominal pain located near the navel and extending or worsening to the lower right abdomen. There are also other symptoms of appendicitis that are less common. If during the check-up you find you have several of them, then it is probably time for you to see a doctor or hospital. You should go to an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself as soon as you experience these symptoms. Any delay can threaten to rupture your appendix, putting your life in jeopardy. Symptoms are usually noticeable within 12-18 hours of their onset, but they can last up to a week, gradually getting worse. Symptoms may include the following:
   • decreased appetite;
   • digestive problems - nausea, diarrhea, constipation, especially in combination with frequent vomiting;
   • fever - if you have a fever above 40 ° C, go to the hospital immediately; if the temperature is at 38 ° C but you have several symptoms of appendicitis, also go to the hospital as soon as possible; a slight rise in temperature to 37.3 ° C can also be a symptom of appendicitis;
   • chills and shivering;
   • backache;
   • inability to release gases;
   • tenesmus - false painful urge to defecate.

   Many of these symptoms are similar to viral gastroenteritis. The difference is that gastroenteritis pain is extensive and it is impossible to localize a specific source of it.

2. 2 Be careful about checking for less common symptoms of appendicitis. In addition to the above, you may also have other symptoms that are less commonly associated with appendicitis. The following is a list of things to look out for:
   • painful urination;
   • vomiting before onset of abdominal pain;
   • sharp or dull pain in the rectum, back, upper or lower abdomen.
3. 3 Pay close attention to abdominal pain. In most adults, the appendix can be found on the lower right side of the abdominal region, usually about one third from the navel to the hip joint. Be aware that in pregnant women, the location of the appendix may be different. Pay attention to the presence of a "pain strip". Acute pain can begin to spread from the navel to the point of the appendix within 12 to 24 hours after the first symptoms appear. If you notice this development of symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical help.
   • In adults, symptoms of appendicitis may worsen within 4 to 48 hours. If you have been diagnosed with appendicitis, it requires emergency medical attention.
4. 4 Press down on your stomach. You may feel soreness when you press on the lower right abdomen. If it hurts even just to touch your stomach, call an ambulance immediately.
   • Pay attention to soreness with a sharp release of pressure on the abdomen. If you feel acute pain when pressing on your abdomen and then releasing it sharply, then you may have appendicitis, which requires medical attention.
5. 5 Pay attention to the tightness of the abdomen. Can you dig a little deeper into your belly when you press on it? Or is the belly unusually firm and elastic? The latter may indicate bloating, which is also a symptom of appendicitis.
   • If you only have abdominal pain, but not nausea and loss of appetite, you may not have appendicitis at all. There are many causes of abdominal pain that do not require emergency medical attention. If in doubt, see a regular therapist if the abdominal pain persists for more than three days.
6. 6 Try to stand up straight and walk. If you cannot do this without experiencing severe pain, then you may have appendicitis.While you may need urgent medical attention, you can try to relieve the pain by lying on your side and curling into a fetal position.
   • See if the pain gets worse with sudden movements and coughing.
7. 7 Be aware of the difference in symptoms of appendicitis in pregnant women and children. In pregnant women, the painful area may be localized differently, since during pregnancy the appendix moves higher. In children under two years of age, pain is usually localized lower in the abdomen and is accompanied by vomiting with bloating. Babies with appendicitis sometimes have trouble eating and may appear unusually sleepy. They may refuse even their favorite treats.
   • In older children, pain is similar to that of an adult in that it starts from the navel and spreads to the lower right abdomen. It does not weaken when the child is laid down, and can increase when he moves.
   • If a child has a burst appendix, then he develops a strong fever.

Part 2 of 2: Seeking Medical Care

1. 1 Avoid taking medication before a doctor's examination. If you feel that you have clear signs of appendicitis, it is important not to aggravate the situation and wait for an ambulance. You should not do any of the following while waiting.
   • Do not use laxatives or pain relievers. A laxative can irritate your bowels even more, and a pain reliever can make it difficult to watch for outbreaks of abdominal pain.
   • Do not take antacids. They can make the pain caused by appendicitis worse.
   • Do not use a heating pad - it may rupture your appendix.
   • Do not eat or drink prior to being examined by a physician, or this may place a greater risk of requiring additional aspiration during surgery.
2. 2 Call an ambulance immediately by calling 103 (mobile) or 03 (landline). If you are reasonably sure that you have appendicitis, do not waste time and go to the doctor's appointment on your own later in the week, when you manage to make an appointment. Call an ambulance as soon as possible. Appendicitis is potentially life-threatening if the appendix bursts and timely assistance is not provided.
   • Bring some essentials with you (pajamas, toothbrush, slippers). If you have appendicitis, you will have surgery to remove your appendix and you will have to stay in the hospital for a while.
3. 3 Describe your symptoms in the admission department of the hospital. Be prepared that the examination of patients will be carried out according to the degree of urgency of their problems, therefore, warn that you suspect you have appendicitis. In this case, you will immediately find yourself on the list of patients in need of an emergency check-up, but if a patient with a head injury appears, you may be asked to wait.
   • Don't panic if you have to wait. You are safer in the hospital than at home. Even if your appendix bursts while waiting, you can be quickly rushed to the operating room. Try to be patient and distract your mind from the pain.
4. 4 Know what to expect from your inspection. During your doctor's examination, you will be asked to describe your symptoms. Pay attention to any digestive problems (such as constipation or vomiting) and try to tell your doctor exactly when the pain first started. Your doctor will examine you for confirmation of signs of appendicitis.
   • Be prepared for palpation. The doctor will press hard on your abdomen. This will check for symptoms of peritonitis, an infectious inflammation resulting from a ruptured appendix. With peritonitis, pressing on the abdomen causes a spasm of the abdominal muscles. Also, your doctor can quickly examine the condition of your rectum.
5. 5 Be prepared for additional procedures and analyzes. Laboratory tests and additional investigations are important for the formal diagnosis of appendicitis. Possible tests and examinations are listed below.
   • Blood analysis... He must necessarily show a high white blood cell count, which indicates an infection even before the onset of an elevated body temperature. A blood test can also show if a person has an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, which can also cause pain. In women, a pregnancy test may be done to rule out this condition.
   • Analysis of urine... A urinalysis may show the presence of a urinary tract infection or kidney stones, which may also be accompanied by abdominal pain.
   • Ultrasound... An ultrasound scan of the abdomen will show if there is a blockage of the appendix, a ruptured appendix, a tumor, or any other cause of abdominal pain. During ultrasound examination, the safest type of radiation is used, and therefore, it is usually ultrasound that is the first means of visualizing the state of organs.
   • MRI... Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to see a more detailed picture of internal organs without the use of X-rays. Be prepared for a slight claustrophobic feeling in the MRI machine, as it is quite crowded inside. Some doctors may prescribe a mild sedative before the procedure for a patient with severe anxiety. An MRI will allow you to see the same picture that an ultrasound will show, only it will be a little more approximate.
   • CT scan... Computed tomography uses a technology that combines X-rays and computerized display of images. To undergo this procedure, you will be offered to drink a special solution and lie down on the table. The procedure is fast enough and does not cause claustrophobic attacks, unlike an MRI. It can also help detect signs of inflammation, a ruptured appendix, and a blockage, and is also the most commonly used test.
6. 6 Get surgery to remove your appendicitis. Your doctor can confirm that you have appendicitis. The only cure for appendicitis is to remove the appendix, which is officially called an appendectomy. Currently, most surgeons prefer to remove appendicitis by laparoscopy, which leaves a smaller scar than an open appendectomy.
   • If your doctor decides that you do not need surgery, you may be sent home and asked to monitor your condition closely for 12 to 24 hours. You should not take antibiotics, pain relievers, or laxatives during this time. If your condition worsens, you need to see a doctor again. Don't wait for the symptoms to go away on their own. When you return to the hospital for examination, you may need to bring your urine sample with you. Do not eat or drink before your next visit to the hospital, as this can cause complications during the operation.
7. 7 Follow the recovery mode after surgery. Modern appendectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, so you should return to normal life with little or no complications. However, this is a surgical operation, so you must behave appropriately afterwards. Listed below are the steps you need to take to get fit after your surgery.
   • Take your time with solid foods. Since you had bowel surgery, wait 24 hours before eating or drinking any food or drink. Your doctor will tell you when you can drink some fluids and when you can start eating solid foods (all this is done in a sequential and gradual manner). Eventually, you should be able to start eating as before.
   • Do not strain on the first day after surgery. Take the opportunity to rest and recover. After a few days, try to gradually begin to build up your activity so that the body begins to receive additional strength from the movement for recovery.
   • If you have problems, see your doctor.Pain, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, fever, diarrhea, blood in the urine or stool, constipation, a weeping wound or swelling at the suture site all require medical attention. Any symptoms related to appendicitis after its removal are the reason for an immediate appeal to a gastroenterologist.

Tips

• People in special conditions may not show the classic symptoms of appendicitis, they just may not feel well. People with a special condition include the following categories of people:
  • obese;
  • suffering from diabetes;
  • HIV patients;
  • cancer patients and / or patients undergoing chemotherapy;
  • people with transplanted organs;
  • pregnant women (the highest risk is in the third trimester);
  • infants and young children:
  • elderly people.
• There is also a condition called appendicular colic. In this case, severe abdominal pain is caused by spasms of the appendix, accompanied by rumbling. They can be caused by a blockage in your intestines, swelling, scar tissue, or a foreign object. At the same time, doctors traditionally deny that the appendix can "rumble". With colic, the pain can last for a long time, recede and appear again. This condition is difficult to diagnose, but eventually it can develop into traditional appendicitis.

Warnings

• Delay in seeking medical attention can lead to the need to carry a colostomy bag for several months or even the rest of your life.
• Never hesitate to seek emergency medical help if you suspect appendicitis... A ruptured appendix can be fatal. If you are sent home after a check-up at a hospital and your symptoms worsen be sure to go to the hospital again for a check... Symptoms often worsen over time until surgery is required.