Appendicitis pain can be excruciating, and you’ll want to know how to treat it. The symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Symptoms aren’t always immediately obvious but can indicate that an appendix has ruptured.
Symptoms
Appendicitis is a potentially life-threatening complication that causes pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. It can also cause severe abdominal cramping. In addition to the pain, patients may experience a fever, which indicates a possible infection. When the appendix ruptures, the fever increases and may accompany the pain.
The pain may be accompanied by fever or chills, most commonly felt on the right lower abdomen. The symptoms may start as a dull ache in the belly button area but can worsen over time. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, or dizziness. The pain usually decreases when lying down but may increase during physical activity.
If the symptoms do not disappear, your doctor may recommend a physical exam or other tests. These tests will help rule out other causes of the pain. While there is no single test to diagnose appendicitis, doctors may recommend surgery to remove the appendix if you suspect it is infected.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of appendix pain involves a review of symptoms and a physical examination to rule out other causes of appendicitis. Lab tests, including a c-reactive protein blood test, can also help determine the cause of pain. In addition, urinalysis may be used to rule out urinary tract infections or kidney stones. An imaging test may also be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.
The diagnosis of appendicitis can be tricky. It can be challenging to differentiate appendicitis in elderly patients, children, and pregnant women due to the anatomy of the abdomen. In pregnant women, the gravid uterus takes up a large portion of the abdominal cavity, while the ileocaecal junction is displaced toward the right kidney.
Treatment
A healthcare professional can treat appendix pain with prescription pain medications. They can also perform an appendectomy. This procedure is usually performed through three or four small incisions. The surgeon inserts surgical tools that include a scope. They will also prescribe antibiotics. Patients should take these medications for an entire course of time to prevent complications.
Urine tests can help to determine whether the appendix is inflamed or infected. A doctor can perform these tests in the exact location or send them to a laboratory for testing. The results will help the doctor to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Once the doctor has diagnosed the cause of the pain, the doctor will determine the best course of treatment.
Other causes of abdominal pain
While appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain, there are other causes. The appendix, located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, can become inflamed and cause severe abdominal pain. Inflamed appendices can also cause symptoms such as fever, constipation, and vomiting. If left untreated, appendicitis can lead to peritonitis, a severe medical condition. People suffering from acute appendicitis should seek medical attention immediately. They will usually be admitted to a hospital and undergo appendectomy, a joint surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is often used to perform this procedure.
Other causes of abdominal pain besides appendicitis include gas, indigestion, and gastrointestinal tract diseases. In the latter case, a doctor will likely prescribe a pain reliever to treat the condition and alleviate the discomfort.
Other organs and structures involved in appendix pain
The appendix is an organ that is found in the pelvic region. When it becomes inflamed, it produces pain when released. However, there are cases where the appendix is silent, causing no pain. The appendix can become inflamed, perforated, or twisted and can cause a localized or frank abscess. This can be diagnosed by performing a digital rectal examination, which elicits a point tenderness in the rectovesical pouch. In addition, coughing produces a pointing tenderness in the rectovesical area, known as Dunphy’s sign.
Appendix pain is often mistaken for abdominal pain that comes from other causes. It begins at the navel and increases in intensity as the inflammation worsens. In most cases, appendicitis requires surgery to remove the appendix. In some women, pain may also be present in the upper abdomen, including the cervix and ovaries.