from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix when bacteria multiplies, usually caused by the opening of the appendix being blocked or a gastrointestinal viral infection. If left untreated, it can rupture and even result in death. Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency, so it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of appendicitis and how to get help.

Steps

1. Observe any pain in the abdominal region. If the pain is severe, call a doctor immediately. If the pain is moderate or mild, pay close attention. Usually appendicitis pain begins at the belly button. Eventually, the pain will move to your lower right abdomen. However, the pain may also be felt in other parts of the belly, so don’t rule out appendicitis just because it doesn’t follow the typical “path”. You may feel the pain somewhere other than the typical spot. If the pain doesn’t go away after four hours, call a doctor.
   • The pain might get worse when you move, walk or cough.
   • It will usually become sharper and more severe over time as inflammation spreads to nearby tissues.
   • The pain might be eased a bit when you lay on your side and pull your knees up to your chest.
2. Avoid laxatives and pain medication if appendicitis is suspected.
3. Do the pressure check. Gently apply pressure to the area of pain and release the pressure quickly. If you have appendicitis, the area will feel tender when you apply pressure to it. When you quickly release the pressure, the pain will be a little worse due to rebound tenderness.
4. Check for other symptoms of appendicitis. Not everyone experiences the classic symptoms, but knowing what they are will help to recognize appendicitis if they do appear.[1]
   • Loss of appetite
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Abdominal Swelling
   • Constipation
   • Diarrhea
   • Back pain
   • Tenesmus (the feeling that a bowel movement will relieve discomfort)
5. Get medical attention sooner rather than later. This is especially important with children, who are more likely to get a ruptured appendix than adults are. Their symptoms aren’t always typical, and it’s easy to dismiss appendix pain as a stomach ache–if at all suspicious that it’s appendicitis, call a doctor. There are other conditions which exhibit similar symptoms but which are serious and warrant medical attention as well, such as diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and kidney disease.

Tips

• The most serious complication of appendicitis is rupture, which can lead to peritonitis, a dangerous infection that happens when bacteria and other contents of the torn appendix leak into the sterile abdomen cavity(peritoneum), and an abscess, a swollen mass filled with fluid and bacteria.
• Many women who develop appendicitis during pregnancy do not experience the classic symptoms. The third trimester poses the most risk.
• Toddlers with appendicitis sometimes have trouble eating and may seem unusually sleepy.
• People who have special conditions may not experience the classic symptoms of appendicitis and just having a general feeling of being ill and unwell. The special conditions include:
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • H.I.V. virus
  • Cancer and/or receiving chemotherapy
  • Transplanted organ
  • Pregnancy
  • Infants and young children
  • Elderly

Warnings

• Don’t ever delay getting medical attention if you suspect appendicitis. A ruptured appendix can be fatal.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/appendicitis/DS00274/DSECTION=1
• http://www.medicinenet.com/appendicitis/article.htm

1. ? http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/appendicitis/#1

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Recognize the Symptoms of Appendicitis. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.