If you’ve had any tummy trouble in the past, you’d know that anything relating to the inner organs can be worrisome. So if you notice any of the signs and symptoms we’re about to mention, get to a doctor immediately. You never know; your appendix might just be about to burst.
Many people have had the displeasure of experiencing some tummy troubles like food poisoning, indigestion or a stomach virus. However, appendicitis, albeit much less common, is just as worrisome.
The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen. Appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix, causes pain in your lower right abdomen. However, in most people, pain begins around the navel and then moves.
Appendicitis affects about 5% of the global population, but it needs to be spotted as soon as possible. If left untreated, your appendix can rupture, and that can be life-threatening.
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The appendix does not burst in all cases, but the longer the condition goes unchecked, the greater the risk. Take a look at some warning signs to look out for. If you notice one or more of these signs, call or visit your doctor immediately. Source: Prevention
1. Your stomach hurts more than ever before.
Appendicitis usually causes severe pain that extends from the belly button to the lower right side of the abdomen. While this doesn’t necessarily mean your appendix is about to burst, you may need an imaging test, like a CT scan, to find out.
However, some appendicitis patients have a different type of discomfort. If it hurts when you’re doing things like walking, coughing, or going over a bump in a car, your whole abdominal wall could be inflamed. Your appendix might be on the verge of bursting, or it might have already ruptured. See a doc immediately.
2. You’re nauseous, vomiting, and have no appetite.
You might just be battling a stomach bug, and not everyone with appendicitis will have these symptoms. But if you’re feeling really queasy in addition to having bad pain, get it checked out. The inflammation of the appendix sometimes impacts other aspects of the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system and leads to nausea and vomiting.
3. You’re running to the bathroom much more than usual.
In some people, the appendix is positioned lower in the pelvis, so it’s pretty close to the bladder. And when the bladder comes into contact with an inflamed appendix, the bladder also becomes inflamed and irritated.
As a result of this, you may feel like you have to pee all the time—and it hurts when you do. Of course, this could also signal a UTI, but when coupled with other symptoms on this list it could point to appendicitis.
4. You’re shivering and running a fever.
A fever and chills means there’s inflammation somewhere in your body. If your appendix is inflamed, the body responds by releasing several chemicals to ring the alarm and bring fighter cells to the area. This, in turn, can manifest as localised pain as well as whole-body symptoms like fever and chills. If you also have stomach pain—or if your fever is worsening—consult your doctor.
5. You’re not all there.
If you’re confused or disoriented, that might mean the infection is getting worse. It might have even entered your bloodstream (aka sepsis), which can be fatal. This means that the infection is getting worse and expending a lot of body resources including oxygen, so the brain doesn’t get enough and doesn’t work normally.
Any time someone is acting erratically, don’t delay. Whether it turns out to be appendicitis or something else that can alter their mental state (like a stroke), the sooner you get help the better.
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