If you have inflammation in the lower abdomen, it could be appendicitis. This disease is more common in people between the ages of 10 and 30, while children under 10 and women over 50 may have more difficulty recognizing its typical symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with appendicitis, you probably need to have surgery to remove it. the procedure involves removing a small pouch that extends outside the small intestine. When you have an operation, it means that it is an emergency, so it is important to know how to recognize the symptoms and see your doctor as soon as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Check for Symptoms
Step 1. Look for the most common symptoms of appendicitis
The most typical is a dull pain in the abdominal area near the navel that radiates or moves to the lower right area of the belly. There are other symptoms, however, which are not so characteristic of this disease. If you notice a lot of them, you may want to see your doctor or go to the hospital. You should contact him or go to the hospital as soon as you spot them on yourself. If you wait, you only risk increasing the chances of the appendix rupturing, putting your life in danger. Symptoms usually present in the first 12 to 18 hours, but can last up to a week and worsen over time. These symptoms include:
- Decreased appetite.
- Stomach problems, such as nausea, diarrhea and constipation, especially if accompanied by frequent vomiting.
- Fever. If the temperature reaches 40 ° C or above, go to the hospital immediately. If it's 38 ° C, but you're experiencing several other symptoms, still get to the hospital as soon as possible. If the temperature is lower, around 37.2 ° C, this is another problem.
- Chills and tremors
- Backache
- Inability to give off abdominal gas.
- Tenesmus, i.e. abdominal spasm that creates the feeling of having to defecate to relieve discomfort.
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Keep in mind that many of these symptoms are similar to viral gastroenteritis. The difference is that in gastroenteritis the pain is generalized and nonspecific in one area of the abdomen.
Step 2. Look for other less common signs
In addition to those listed above, you may encounter others that are generally less frequently associated with appendicitis. Here are some of them:
- Painful urination
- Vomiting before experiencing abdominal pain
- Sharp or dull pain in the rectum, back, or upper or lower abdomen area
Step 3. Pay attention to abdominal pain
In most adults, the appendix may be located on the lower right side of the abdomen, usually a third of the way between the navel and the hip bone. Keep in mind, however, that the site may be different in a pregnant woman. Check the "path" of pain. Sharp pain may pass from the navel to the area directly above the appendix 12 to 24 hours after symptoms begin. If you notice a clear progression of this type, go directly to the emergency room.
In adults, symptoms can worsen within 4 to 48 hours. If you have been diagnosed with appendicitis, it is a medical emergency
Step 4. Press on the abdomen
If it's too painful to even touch it, particularly in the lower right area, consider going to the emergency room. You may also feel a soft touch sensation in the lower abdomen when you apply pressure to it.
Check for rebound pain. If you press in the lower right area of the abdomen and experience sharp pain when you release the pressure quickly, appendicitis could be the cause and therefore you need medical attention
Step 5. Pay attention if you notice any harder areas in the abdomen
When you press, can you sink a little bit with your fingers? Or is the abdomen particularly hard and tight? In this second case, it could be swollen, another symptom of appendicitis.
If you have abdominal pain but don't feel nauseous or have a decreased appetite, it could be another problem. There can be many causes that cause abdominal pain and that do not require the need to go to the emergency room. If in doubt, always call or contact your doctor if you experience any abdominal pain that lasts more than 3 days
Step 6. Try to stand and walk
If you can't do it without severe pain, it's probably appendicitis. While you should go to the emergency room right away, you can relieve the pain by lying on your side and bending over into a fetal position.
See if the pain gets worse by making sudden movements or coughing
Step 7. Learn to recognize the different symptoms in pregnant women and children
In pregnant women, the pain may present itself differently, because the appendix is larger during this time. In children up to 2 years of age, abdominal pain is usually less, accompanied by vomiting and swelling of the abdomen. Children ages 2 to 5 with appendicitis sometimes have difficulty eating and may seem unusually sleepy. They may even refuse to eat their favorite treats.
- In older children, the pain is similar to that of adults and starts from the navel and moves to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. The pain does not decrease even if the child lies down, but it can get worse when he moves.
- If a baby's appendix bursts, you notice a rise in body temperature.
Part 2 of 2: Seeking Medical Care
Step 1. Avoid taking medications until you get medical treatment
If you think you have appendicitis symptoms, you shouldn't make it worse while you're waiting for treatment in the emergency room. Here's what you need to avoid while waiting for proper care:
- Do not take laxatives or pain relievers. Laxatives may further irritate the intestines, while pain relievers can prevent you from monitoring any increases in abdominal pain.
- Do not take antacids as they can aggravate the pain associated with appendicitis.
- Do not use electric warmers or hot compresses, as they can cause the inflamed appendix to rupture.
- Don't eat or drink anything until you've been examined, as you may increase the risk of aspiration during surgery.
Step 2. Get to the emergency room quickly
If you almost certainly feel that you have appendicitis, you don't just need to call your doctor and make an appointment for a visit in the next few days during the week, but you need to go to a hospital as soon as possible. This inflammation is potentially life-threatening, especially if the appendix ruptures and is left untreated.
Pack some things for the night, like cool pajamas and a toothbrush. If you have appendicitis, you will need to undergo surgery and stay in the hospital for a few days
Step 3. When you get to the ER, describe your symptoms
Be prepared for triage and let the nurse know that you suspect you have appendicitis. You will be ranked on the list of patients requiring treatment based on the severity of the injuries and health conditions. This means that if someone enters the emergency room with a head injury, they may have to wait a while before being examined.
Don't panic if you have to wait. Once you are in the hospital, you are much safer than you were at home. Even if the appendix does burst while you are in the waiting room, doctors will be able to get you to the surgery department quickly. Try to be patient and distract yourself so as not to think about the pain
Step 4. Know what to expect from the visit
During the medical examination you will need to describe the symptoms again. Take note of any digestive difficulties and problems (such as constipation or vomiting) and report when you first felt pain. Your doctor will check for appendicitis symptoms.
Be prepared for the fact that you will be examined. The doctor will have to press on the lower part of the abdomen quite hard, as he must check that it is not peritonitis, the infection that results from the bursting of the appendix. If you suffer from this disorder, your abdominal muscles twitch when pressed. In some cases, the doctor will also need to perform a quick rectal exam
Step 5. Expect further exams
Laboratory tests and imaging tests are important for the official diagnosis of this disease. Among the exams you may be subjected to are:
- Blood analysis: allows you to identify the presence of a high number of white blood cells, which is a sign of infection even before finding a fever. It also shows if there is an imbalance of electrolytes and dehydration, which can cause pain. Your doctor may also decide to have you taken a pregnancy test - if you are a woman - to rule out the possibility.
- Urine analysis: From the urine it is possible to check if there is a possible urinary tract infection or kidney stones which can sometimes be responsible for abdominal pain.
- UltrasoundAbdominal ultrasound shows if there is a blockage of the appendix, if it is ruptured, if it is swollen or if there are other causes of abdominal pain. It is a safer diagnostic technique than X-rays and is generally the first choice in imaging tests.
- Magnetic resonance: it is performed to get a more detailed picture of the internal organs without having to do an x-ray. Be prepared for the fact that you will be locked up in a cramped and tight space inside the car and may suffer a bit of claustrophobia. Many doctors may subject the patient to light sedation to help relieve anxiety. This exam shows the same signs as the ultrasound, but in a little more detail.
- CT scan: CT, or computed tomography, uses X-rays with computer technology to show images. You will be given a solution to drink, and if you do not vomit it, you will be made to lie down on the table for examination. This is a rather quick and non-claustrophobic procedure, like the MRI machine. This test also shows the same signs of inflammation, rupture, or blockage of the appendix and is performed more often than those listed above.
Step 6. Undergo an appendectomy
The doctor evaluates if you have appendicitis. The only possible cure is to remove it with a surgery called an appendectomy. Most surgeons prefer to do it laparoscopically, which leaves a very minimal scar, rather than an open abdomen.
If, on the other hand, the doctor does not think you are undergoing surgery, he may send you home and "monitor" you for 12-24 hours. You shouldn't take antibiotics, pain relievers, or laxatives during these hours. In this situation, you need to contact your doctor again if symptoms get worse, and don't wait for them to pass on their own. You may need to return to the hospital with a urine sample. If you have to come back for other tests, you need to be careful not to eat or drink anything beforehand, as you could create complications during surgery
Step 7. The recovery phase begins
Modern appendectomy surgeries are minimally invasive and you should be able to return to normal life with little or no complications. Either way, it's still surgery, so be sure to take care of yourself and move carefully early on. Here's what you should do to get back in shape after surgery:
- Slowly go back to eating solid foods. Since you've just had digestive tract surgery, you need to wait at least 24 hours before eating or drinking anything. Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking a small amount of liquids and then some solid foods, all of which must be introduced separately. Eventually you will be able to return to regular nutrition.
- Do not exercise on the first day. Take this pretext to rest and heal. Try to do some light activities and some movement in the following days, as the body begins to recover through movement.
- Contact your doctor if you notice any problems. Pain, vomiting, dizziness, feelings of weakness, fever, diarrhea, blood in the urine and stool, constipation, leakage or swelling around the incision site are all signs that require medical attention. Any symptoms of appendicitis after removing it should be a reason to call the doctor.
Advice
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People who have specific pathologies or situations cannot recognize the classic symptoms of appendicitis and only experience a feeling of general malaise. People present with these anomalies:
- Obese
- Diabetic
- HIV positive for H. I. V.
- Patients with cancer and / or undergoing chemotherapy
- Undergoing an organ transplant
- In pregnancy (risk is greatest during the third trimester)
- Babies and small children
- Senior citizens
- There is also a disorder called appendicular colic. Spasms or twitching of the appendix can cause severe cramps in the abdomen. This can be caused by a blockage, tumor, scar tissue, or foreign body. Doctors generally do not recognize that an appendix can "hurt" without a definite cause. The pain can occur for long periods of time and can come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the problem, but keep in mind that it can lead to acute appendicitis.
Warnings
- If you delay medical treatment you risk having to put in a colostomy bag for several months or you can even jeopardize your life.
- You absolutely must never delay medical treatment if you suspect appendicitis. If it breaks it can be fatal. If you go to the emergency room and are sent home without any treatment, make sure you visit again if symptoms get worse. It is not unusual for symptoms to evolve over time, until surgery becomes necessary.
