Appendicitis is the sudden condition that requires you to go to the hospital as soon as possible to have your appendix removed. Usually, the symptoms can come on pretty quickly, which doesn’t give you much time to figure out what might be happening in your digestive system.
Gastroenterologist and specialist Dr. Tabib understands how painful and dangerous the inflammation of the appendix is, and recommends seeking emergency treatment right away. Since the inflammation happens so suddenly, it can be hard to detect some of the early signs, but the information below will give you some of the biggest warning signs to look out for.
More About Appendicitis
More specifically, appendicitis is described as the sudden inflammation and infection of the appendix due to a blockage. Blockages can come from a buildup of mucus or fecal matter, which is usually the case. Because of this, bacteria starts to grow really fast within the appendix, causing it to become swollen. Ultimately, this leads to appendicitis, and the only way to save your life is to have your appendix removed right away.
Thankfully, you can live just fine without your appendix. In fact, it’s pretty much vestigial, meaning that modern humans have no real use for the appendix. It is not a necessary or vital organ in any way, and it is ultimately good when it gets removed.
Biggest Symptoms of Appendicitis
A WebMD study states that 1 in 20 Americans will get appendicitis at one point or another. It is also apparent that appendicitis can occur at any age, although it typically affects people between the ages of 10 and 30.
Since it is such a quick and urgent event, it’s imperative that you look out for the warning signs. Knowing the symptoms as early as possible can save your life. It’s important to look out for these symptoms:
- Recurring pain in the abdomen
- Nausea and possible vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lack of appetite
- Small fever
You may experience one or more of the symptoms, or possibly all of them. Everybody experiences these symptoms differently, so it’s important to be as open and communicative as possible with your doctor about how you are feeling.
Assessing Your Abdominal Pain
There are many different types of abdominal pain that may accompany the early onset of appendicitis. Appendicitis pain is usually dull or aching, and it can occur all throughout the abdomen – although the more intense pain is located in the bottom-right area.
The more swollen your appendix becomes, the sharper and more severe the pain will be. If your pain turns from dull to sharp, and if it is especially located in the lower right area of your abdomen, this is a clear sign that you have appendicitis.
If you have overall digestive problems paired with a fever, you need to visit the emergency room as quickly as possible. You must get the appendix removed before it bursts or causes the infection to spread to your bloodstream.
Preventing Appendicitis
Appendicitis can happen to anyone, but there are ways to keep your digestive tract healthy and in tip-top shape to significantly reduce your risk of contracting this condition.
It might be time to assess your diet. Add green, leafy vegetables and raw fruits to your meals to keep your health on track. You also want to eat foods that are high in fiber to help keep your digestive tract clean and regular.
Please get in touch with a medical professional if you or someone you know is showing the signs of appendicitis. This trip to the emergency room could save your life!
Stay on Top of Your Digestive Health with Personalized Care!
Dr. Tabib is a leading specialist in gastroenterology, helping patients improve the health of their digestive system and inspiring better eating habits. If you are showing the signs of appendicitis, or you have concerns about your general abdominal pain, you can schedule a consultation with us right away. Contact us online, or give us a call at (310) 683-4911 to schedule an appointment.
