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.
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.
Some individuals experience changes in their bowel movements and have constipation or diarrhea accompanied with trouble passing gas as a symptom of their appendicitis.
As the appendix continues to get inflamed, many individuals will experience a low-grade fever that gets worse if the appendix ruptures.
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
Many people have let their guard down and are no longer taking precautionary measures against COVID-19. Here’s why health care professionals must encourage patients to stay vigilant.
Read More Additional information about COVID-19 and the Flu: Staying Vigilant
One of the most important things you can do for your health is to stay up to date on cancer screenings. By the time cancer symptoms typically appear, the disease may have spread to other parts of the body and be harder to treat.
Read More Additional information about The Case for Annual Cancer Screenings
Understanding the different types of cholesterol can be helpful. Here’s what you need to know about unhealthy cholesterol levels and how to keep them in check.
Read More Additional information about What is Cholesterol? | What You Need to KnowLooking for a doctor? Perform a quick search by name or browse by specialty.
