Appendicitis Symptoms in Adults

Appendicitis is basically an inflammation of the appendix, which is present in the right side of the abdominal cavity. This finger-shaped organ is attached to the colon of the large intestine and has no known specific function. But, the inflammation of appendix or the blockage in the appendix can cause severe health problems.

This inflammation is caused due to blockage by food or fecal particles in the appendix, which is further affected by bacteria and leads to infection. If the pus-filled appendix bursts, then it can cause infection to other organs of the body. Hence, this blockage or inflammation needs an immediate treatment to avoid further complications.

Pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, and vomiting are some of the early symptoms in adults. These symptoms are quite vague, and not everyone who suffers from appendicitis may experience them. The abdominal pain starts from the navel region and progresses towards the right side of the lower abdomen.

This pain usually becomes sharper and may sustain for several hours. Further, the affected abdominal region becomes tender, and touching or applying pressure on that region worsens the pain. This pain may also worsen upon coughing, sneezing, walking, or any other moving activity.

The severity and location of the pain varies with different age groups and health conditions. But, most of the patients experience pain in the lower right abdomen. Loss of appetite is one more noticeable symptom of this painful condition. Other symptoms include, nausea and vomiting, which is accompanied by severe abdominal pain.

Fever is a very rare symptom, and it is observed that one out of five patients suffer from fever. Constipation, abdominal swelling, and inability to pass gas are some more important symptoms. These were some of the common symptoms of acute appendicitis.

One of the rarest form of appendicitis is chronic appendicitis or grumbling appendicitis. It is a result of inflamed appendix, but not infected appendix. The chronic symptoms in adults are quite similar to the normal symptoms, except nausea and vomiting. The main difference between these two is the nature of pain.

Chronic appendicitis is quite difficult to diagnose due to less significant and less intense symptoms. Recurrent abdominal pain is the only noticeable symptom of this condition.

Diagnosing the problem is necessary for providing timely treatment to the patient. But, diagnosing this condition without proper laboratory tests is quite difficult. This is because there are many other health ailments that resemble the symptoms of appendicitis.

These include Meckel's diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, right-sided diverticulitis, etc. Urinalysis, WBC count, abdominal X-ray, ultrasound, laparoscopy, CT scan, etc., are some of the diagnostic tests that can help detect the condition.

Once the condition is diagnosed, the treatment is provided according to the intensity of the infection. In most cases, the treatment involves surgery called appendectomy, where the inflamed appendix is removed.

So, if you observe any of the aforementioned symptoms, ensure that you make an immediate appointment with your physician and get diagnosed the exact problem.

Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.