4 Common Signs of Appendicitis

In the United States, appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery, with one in 15 Americans having appendicitis in their lifetime. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked and inflamed. While appendicitis symptoms vary from person to person, there are four common signs of appendicitis.

1. Abdominal Pain

With appendicitis, many individuals experience severe pain from their belly button area to the lower right side of their abdomen. This pain often gets worse over a matter of hours and some individuals experience significant pain that wakes them from their sleep.

2. Changes in Bowel Movements

Some individuals experience changes in their bowel movements and have constipation or diarrhea accompanied with trouble passing gas as a symptom of their appendicitis.

3. Fever and Chills

As the appendix continues to get inflamed, many individuals will experience a low-grade fever that gets worse if the appendix ruptures.

4. Loss of Appetite, Nausea and Vomiting

One of the common first signs of appendicitis, along with abdominal pain, is loss of appetite. This loss of appetite may progress into nausea and vomiting as a result of intestinal obstruction.

If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms or suspect that you may be suffering from appendicitis, seek medical attention immediately, as prolonged appendicitis can result in the appendix rupturing.

Sources:
MedlinePlus | Appendicitis
NIH | Definition & Facts for Appendicitis
WebMD | Appendicitis