Appendicitis
Key points
- Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small, fingerlike tube that hangs from the lower right side of the large intestine.
- If you have symptoms of appendicitis, do not take enemas or laxatives to relieve constipation, because these medicines increase the chance that the appendix will burst.
- Your doctor will review your medical history, especially your history of digestive illnesses.
- Most patients will seek medical attention within 12 to 48 hours because of the abdominal pain.
What Is It?
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small, fingerlike tube that hangs from the lower right side of the large intestine. The purpose of the appendix is not known. It usually becomes inflamed because of an infection or an obstruction in the digestive tract. If untreated, an infected appendix can rupture (burst) and spread the infection throughout the abdominal cavity and into the bloodstream.
Appendicitis affects one in every 500 people in the United States each year. The risk of appendicitis increases with age, and peaks between the ages of 15 and 30. Appendicitis is the main reason for abdominal surgery in children, with four of every 1,000 children needing the appendix removed before age 14.
Symptoms
Symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Abdominal pain, usually starting in the middle of the abdomen (just above the belly button) and then moving to the right lower side of the abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Pain when the right side of the abdomen is touched
- Low-grade fever
- Inability to pass gas
- Change in normal bowel pattern
If you have symptoms of appendicitis, do not take enemas or laxatives to relieve constipation, because these medicines increase the chance that the appendix will burst. Also, avoid taking pain medicines before seeing your doctor, since these medications can mask appendicitis symptoms and make diagnosis difficult.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will review your medical history, especially your history of digestive illnesses. Your doctor also will ask about your current digestive symptoms, including details about your most recent bowel movements: timing, frequency, character (watery or hard), and whether the stool was streaked with blood or mucus.
Your doctor will examine you, and will check for pain in your lower right abdomen. If the patient is a child, the doctor will look to see whether the child holds his or her hands over the naval when asked where it hurts. In an infant, flexed hips (knees held toward the chest) and a tender abdomen can be important clues to the diagnosis.
After the physical examination, your doctor will order blood tests to check for signs of infection and a urinalysis to rule out a urinary-tract problem. Your doctor may order an Ultrasound or Computed tomography scan (CT) to help confirm the diagnosis. In very young children, a chest X-ray may be needed to rule out pneumonia.
Expected Duration
Frequently asked questions
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small, fingerlike tube that hangs from the lower right side of the large intestine. The purpose of the appendix is not known. It usually becomes inflamed because of an infection or an obstruction in the digestive tract. If untreated, an infected appendix can rupture (burst) and spread the infection throughout the abdominal cavity and into the bloodstream. Appendicitis affects one in every 500 people in the United States each year. The risk of appendicitis increases with age, and peaks between the ages of 15 and 30.
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
Symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Abdominal pain, usually starting in the middle of the abdomen (just above the belly button) and then moving to the right lower side of the abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Pain when the right side of the abdomen is touched
- Low-grade fever
- Inability to pass gas
- Change in normal bowel pattern If you have symptoms of appendicitis, do not take enemas or laxatives to relieve constipation, because these medicines increase the chance that the appendix will burst. Also, avoid taking pain medicines before seeing your doctor, since these medications can mask appendicitis symptoms and make diagnosis difficult.
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will review your medical history, especially your history of digestive illnesses. Your doctor also will ask about your current digestive symptoms, including details about your most recent bowel movements: timing, frequency, character (watery or hard), and whether the stool was streaked with blood or mucus. Your doctor will examine you, and will check for pain in your lower right abdomen. If the patient is a child, the doctor will look to see whether the child holds his or her hands over the naval when asked where it hurts. In an infant, flexed hips (knees held toward the chest) and a tender abdomen can be important clues to the diagnosis.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.