How Do I know if I Have Appendicitis?

The appendix is a small worm-like structure that is attached to the lower portion of the colon. Doctors and scientists don’t really know what function it serves and whether it had a function in the distant past. What they do know, however, is many people between the ages of 10 and 30 experience the wrath of this tiny “organ” when it suddenly becomes inflamed and infected and wreaks havoc on the body.

How or why this infection happens is also a mystery. Some speculate that there may be particles from the colon that get lodged in the appendix and become infected, while others think that the inflammation is a result of another underlying condition such as Crohn’s disease or gastroenteritis. Nevertheless, the pain can be severe and is often misinterpreted. Here are the most common complaints of those individuals suffering from a true appendicitis:

• Dull pain above or near the navel that progressively increases over a 48-hour period
• Severe pain on the right side of the abdomen, ranging from point tenderness to pain through the back
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gas and bloating accompanied by the inability to pass the gas

If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. GuideWell Emergency Doctors can diagnose and help treat appendicitis, so do not delay seeking care as the appendix can rupture and cause a number of serious complications. The majority of people diagnosed with this condition end up having emergency surgery to remove the appendix and go on to achieve a full recovery.

Reference: www.Medicinenet.com