Medically reviewed by Bassam Helou, M.D. • The Surgical Clinic
The appendix is a 3 to 4-inch organ located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. The appendix helps fight harmful germs and supports the immune system by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
When your appendix is not working correctly, appendicitis forms and causes inflammation of the appendix. Appendicitis is a medical emergency and should be treated promptly and evaluated for risk of rupture.
In this article, you’ll learn how to recognize the signs of appendicitis, understand when surgical intervention is necessary, and what treatments are available to you at The Surgical Clinic.
Recognizing the Early Warning Signs of Appendicitis
Experiencing appendicitis can be a scary situation as it presents itself as sudden pain that begins around the belly button and shifts towards the lower right abdomen. This shifting pain can become very sharp and worsen with movement, coughing, or taking deep breaths. Pain severity can vary with age.
Children and Infants
Children and infants usually have a hard time localizing the pain, as it can present throughout the abdomen, rather than the lower-right side. Children’s symptoms of appendicitis present in:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Abdominal Swelling
- Behavioral Changes
- Loss of Appetite
Being unable to localize the pain can make the child irritable. Seek medical attention if the child is exhibiting any of those symptoms, combined with periumbilical pain.
Adults
Appendicitis in adults can present with sharp pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. This is the most common symptom of appendicitis, but it can also be accompanied by:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Tenderness
- Abdominal Bloating
Adults can develop these symptoms along with the sharp shooting pain in their lower right side.
If you are pregnant, appendicitis pain can appear higher in the abdomen. It’s important to immediately seek medical attention if you are a pregnant woman experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain. During appendicitis, it’s normal for pregnant women to experience nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite.
Seniors
Seniors experience vague abdominal pain; it may present as a dull ache, or seniors may not feel it at all. Other common symptoms include;
- Change in Bowel Habits
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Mild Fever
Seniors experience changes in mental status, such as confusion or weakness. But because of the delay in diagnosis due to the possible absence of pain, the rupture risk for seniors is significantly higher.
If you are experiencing a sharp pain in your lower right abdomen, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, constipation, diarrhea, or bloating, you should seek medical care.
Why You Should Never Ignore Appendicitis Symptoms
Symptoms of appendicitis should never be dismissed, as the inflamed appendix can rupture within 24-72 hours of symptom onset. When you choose to delay medical attention for appendicitis, you are putting yourself at risk for the following complications.
Ruptured Appendix
This is a medical emergency that involves an infected appendix bursting into the abdominal cavity. A ruptured appendix can lead to peritonitis and sepsis.
- Peritonitis: An infection in the abdominal lining.
- Sepsis: A bloodstream infection.
Both of these infections can be life-threatening and require immediate surgery and medical attention.
Abscess Formation
Abscesses are areas of pus that form when the body is trying to fight an infection. The main causes for pus formation are a burst appendix, delayed diagnosis, and obstruction of the appendix. When the appendix ruptures or leaks bacteria, it can lead to pockets of infection.
Surgery Complications
Delaying medical attention for your appendix can lead to a more complex surgery, a longer hospital stay, and a slower recovery.
If you ignore symptoms of appendicitis, infection can happen fast. Be proactive and see your healthcare provider within hours of symptom onset.
Diagnosing Appendicitis
If you are experiencing abdominal pain, you should visit The Surgical Clinic for help. The process of diagnosing appendicitis involves a physical exam, laboratory tests, and imaging.
Physical Exam
During your visit with one of our board-certified surgeons, you can expect the doctor to perform a physical examination to check for abdominal tenderness and guarding. The doctor will apply pressure to the McBurney’s Point to diagnose acute appendicitis.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests will be performed to help detect an infection by checking for a high white blood cell count. A urinalysis will be performed to rule out other conditions, such as urinary infections or kidney stones.
Imaging Exams
Imaging tests like a CT scan, ultrasound, or an MRI may be performed to accurately identify an inflamed appendix. It is common for an ultrasound to be the chosen method of imaging for children, CT scan for most adults, and an MRI scan is used to diagnose appendicitis in pregnant women.
When Surgery Is Needed: The Appendectomy
Surgery is the standard and most effective treatment for appendicitis as it eliminates the inflamed tissue and prevents the appendix from bursting. Antibiotics are often given before an appendectomy to help treat the infection and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.
Why is an Appendectomy Necessary?
An appendectomy is necessary for patients with appendicitis. This procedure has a high success rate and prevents recurrence.
Types of Appendectomy
Surgeons can perform a laparoscopic appendectomy or an open appendectomy.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
This is a minimally invasive operation that involves 1-3 small incisions in the abdomen. A laparoscope is inserted to remove the appendix.
Open Appendectomy
An open appendectomy protocol involves a single 2-4 inch incision in the lower right abdomen. The surgeon locates the infected appendix and removes it entirely.
To learn more about when an appendectomy is required, check out our guide.
Recovering from Appendix Surgery
The timeline for an appendectomy varies depending on the type of surgery performed.
A laparoscopic appendectomy is generally the preferred surgical option as it results in a shorter hospital stay. Patients usually only have to stay for a day or two. Having a laparoscopic appendectomy offers a faster recovery time, as the incision is smaller and doesn’t take as long to heal as a traditional open appendectomy.
An open appendectomy usually requires a longer hospital stay of three or four days due to the larger incision. This surgery also has a longer recovery time, restricting the patient from their normal everyday activities and high levels of movement.
What to Expect During Recovery
You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous movements for the first three days after surgery. Your doctor will likely encourage you to take short walks to improve circulation and promote healing. Within the first week, it is advised to take it slow, limiting physical activity as much as possible, as your body is healing itself and working to recover. Most patients can resume daily activities, such as showering and returning to work, after a week.
Throughout your recovery, make sure you get plenty of rest as you gradually increase your movements with short walks. You can return to your normal daily routine and activities over the coming weeks. If you are experiencing severe pain or signs of infection after surgery, contact the healthcare team. If the incision is causing any pain, prescribed pain medications could be beneficial.
How Doctors at the Surgical Clinic Can Help
If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The surgeons at The Surgical Clinic are experienced in diagnosing, removing, and treating appendicitis. The Surgical Clinic is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-focused care.
After appendix surgery, The Surgical Clinic will guide you on your journey to recovery. Our patient-centered approach to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) will help you heal faster and reduce post-operative complications.
Check out our locations page to find a clinic near you and meet our surgeons. We look forward to caring for you. Reach out to our team today for a consultation.