![]() Peritonitis can in turn lead to blood poisoning, which can be life threatening. The bacteria inside the appendix then spill into the abdominal cavity, which can cause a serious infection called peritonitis. If appendicitis is not treated, the inflammation and swelling may become so bad that the appendix bursts. In addition, some other medical problems may present with similar abdominal symptoms. Sometimes it is ‘retrocaecal’ – behind the caecum. This is because in some people the appendix is located in a slightly different position in the abdomen. Abdominal X-ray or computerised tomography (CT) scan Īppendicitis may be difficult to diagnose in people who don’t have typical symptoms.If the diagnosis is not clear or the symptoms are not typical for appendicitis, a person may require other tests, including: People may also have ‘rebound tenderness’ - which is a sharp pain in the lower right area of the abdomen that occurs after pressure has been applied to the area and then quickly released. People with appendicitis usually have pain when pressure is applied to the lower right side of the abdomen. To diagnose appendicitis, a doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical examination, including examining the abdomen. This can cause bacteria to get trapped inside the appendix, leading to infection, swelling and pain. The exact cause of appendicitis is unknown, but experts think it might develop when something blocks the opening of the appendix – for example, faeces from the intestine. For example, pregnant women might have pain in a different part of the abdomen, because the appendix is pushed higher up during pregnancy.Īnyone with severe or worsening pain in the abdomen should seek urgent medical attention. Some people may not have these typical appendicitis symptoms. If you press on the area and then quickly release it – and this causes pain, you have a symptom called ‘ rebound tenderness‘ – the pain is when you release the pressure, not apply it. Pressing on the painful area, moving around, coughing or sneezing can make the pain worse. Some people may not have pain but may have other symptoms of appendicitis. ![]() Within a few hours the pain moves to the lower right side of the abdomen (where the appendix is), and becomes very strong and constant. Appendicitis symptomsĪppendicitis usually begins with pain in the middle of the abdomen, around the belly button. The appendix may even burst, which can lead to a serious infection (called peritonitis) in the abdomen.Īppendicitis can occur in people of any age, but it is most common in those aged 10 to 30 years. When someone has appendicitis their appendix may fill with pus, swell up and become painful. It is located in the right lower part of the abdomen, and is connected to the large intestine (colon). The appendix is a short, finger-shaped pouch about 5-10 cm long. Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix.
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