Appendix Pain – Location, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
What causes Appendix pain?
This occurs when the appendix is inflamed and pus filled. The appendix is a pouch that is finger shaped and jets out on the right lower side of the abdomen from the colon on that side. This structure is very small and has no essential purpose that is known but this does not mean it can not cause any problems.
Appendix Pain Location
Appendicitis creates pain that normally starts near the navel as well as shifting to the right lower abdomen. This pain typically intensifies over a time frame of twelve to 18 hrs. and ultimately will become quite severe.
This can affect anyone but it mostly occurs in individuals in between the ages of ten and thirty. The standard treatment is elimination of the appendix surgically.
The location of this pain can vary, depending on the age of the individual as well as the position of the appendix. Pregnant women as well as young children can have appendicitis pain in places that are different.
Appendix Pain Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of appendix pain or appendicitis can include:
- Pain that is aching and begins near the navel and then will shift to the right lower abdomen
- Pain that gets sharper over time
- Pain that is sharp in the right lower abdomen that happens whenever the area is pressed down and then quickly release – rebound tenderness
- Tenderness that happens when you apply any pressure to the lower right abdomen
- Pain that gets worse when an individual coughs, walks or makes any movements that are jarring
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Inability to pass gas
- Abdominal swelling
If the individual or child has symptoms or signs that are worrying, call for an appointment to see your family physician. Abdominal pain that is so stark that an individual is not able to sit still or discover a position that is comfortable requires immediate attention medically.
Appendix Pain Causes
What causes appendicitis is not always known. Often appendicitis can occur as a result of:
A blockade
Piece of hard stool – fecal stone – or food waste can get confined in an opening of the cavity running the interval of the appendix.
Infection
Appendicitis can also occur after an infection, for instance gastrointestinal infection, or can start after other kinds of infections.
In either case, bacteria can afterwards rapidly invade, triggering the appendix to be inflamed and pus filled. When not treated immediately, the appendix can split.
Complications
Appendicitis may create complications that are serious.
An appendix can rupture
If the appendix does rupture, the substances of the intestines as well as organisms that are infectious may leak into the cavity of the abdomen. This causes infections to develop in the abdominal cavity and cause
Peritonitis.
A pus pocket can form in the abdomen
The seepage and infection of intestinal contents can create an
Abscess – which is a pocket of infection also known as appendiceal abscess. This abscess needs treatment before the abscess tears open causing a much more widespread infection in the abdominal cavity.
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Appendix Pain Diagnosis
The appendix pain can over time change, making the establishment of a diagnosis often difficult. Additionally, pain in the abdomen region can come from a vast number of health problems besides appendicitis. In order the help with the diagnosis of appendicitis, the physician will more than likely first take a history of symptoms and signs and then execute a very thorough exam of the abdomen.
Procedures and tests can include:
Physical to assess pain
The physician can apply pressure that is gentle on the area that is painful. When this pressure is suddenly released, appendix pain will normally get worse, a sign that the peritoneum is inflamed. Other indicators the physician might look for include rigidity of the abdomen and the tendency for the abdominal muscles to stiffen up in reaction to any pressure around the appendix that is inflamed.
Blood test
The physician will be checking for high white cell count that can point to an infection.
Urine test
A urinalysis will need to be done to make certain that a kidney stone or
Urinary Tract Infection is not causing the pain.
Imaging tests
The physician might recommend an X-ray of the abdominal area, an ultrasound scan or a CT scan in order to help to endorse appendicitis or to find any other reasons for the pain.
Appendix Pain Treatment
Treatment for appendix pain normally consists of surgical removal of the appendix that is inflamed. Any other treatment can be needed depending on each individual situation.
Appendix surgery or appendectomy
Appendix surgery is executed as open surgery by using one incision in the abdominal region about two to four inches long. Or this surgery can also be done laparoscopically involving several very small incisions in the abdomen. In the course of a laparoscopic technique, the surgeon will insert special tools as well as a video camera into the abdomen in order to remove the appendix.
Generally, laparoscopic surgery permits the individual to recover fast and creates less scarring. But, this type surgery is not suitable for everyone. If the appendix has burst and the infection is extended beyond the appendix or if an abscess is involved, the individual can need an open appendectomy. This allows the surgeon to un-contaminate the cavity of the abdomen.
An individual should anticipate spending one or two days in the hospital after an appendectomy.
Drainage of abscess before surgery
If an abscess is current, it can be drained by putting a tube thru the skin and into the abscess. The appendectomy may be done several weeks later when the infection has been controlled.
