Appendicitis Signs

You're going about your day, working, exercising or spending time with family, when all of a sudden you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen. You've been nauseated and haven't had much of an appetite all day.

If you've ever felt this way, don't just dismiss it as something simple as overeating.These are all signs that you have appendicitis or inflammation of the appendix.

Appendicitis occurs due to infection, parasites or when the tube that joins your large intestine and appendix is blocked by trapped stool. If you have appendicitis, you might experience symptoms such as:

• constipation or diarrhea
• feeling unable to pass gas
• increased pain when coughing or making jarring movements
• loss of appetite
• low-grade fever or chills
• nausea and vomiting
• sharp, sudden pain in your abdomen, the most common symptom, which will start near your navel and make its way down and to the right, getting worse over time
• abdominal bloating

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, appendicitis affects one in 1,000 Americans between ages 10 and 30. The ailment is diagnosed through blood and urine tests, but your healthcare provider might also order imaging tests like an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.

Appendicitis is a medical emergency that can lead to a burst appendix and deadly infection called peritonitis. Because of this, your doctor will likely suggest traditional or laparoscopic surgery to remove your appendix.

Many patients return to work 1 to 3 weeks after laparoscopic surgery and 2 to 4 weeks after traditional, open surgery. Thankfully, you can go back to your everyday life and routine after an appendectomy.

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