What Side is the Appendix on? What are the Signs and Symptoms of Appendicitis?

You must have suffered from common tummy-troubles like diarrhea and constipation in your life. Few of you must have also faced the wrath of food poisoning. But if you are a part of the really unfortunate 5 percent of the people, you will end up with appendicitis.

However, the onset of the disease doesn’t mean the end of the world. With timely diagnosis and treatment, you can cure the problem and get back to your regular life. 

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Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix which is a pouch-shaped organ attached to the large intestine. Though not every case of appendicitis is life-threatening, an untreated inflamed appendix can rupture and put the patient in critical condition. Therefore, the longer the state remains unchecked, the greater the threat there is to the life of the patient.

Here are some tell-tale signs that will help you diagnose the condition in its early stage and treat it without any complications.

#1. Severe pain in the lower right side of the abdomen, where the Appendix is located in the body is among the most common symptoms of appendicitis. The pain usually starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right part of the belly. Though excruciating pain simply cannot deem that your appendix may soon burst, it is better to get a CT scan and find out the cause of the discomfort.

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#2. The inflamed appendix also has an impact on the other aspects of the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system, leading to nausea and vomiting. If the feeling of nausea accompanies your abdominal pain, we suggest you make an appointment with the doctor soon.

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#3. Fever and chills are common signs of inflammation in the body. Your body releases chemicals to heal the damaged organ which leads to symptoms like fever and chills.

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#4. Constipation or diarrhea and other digestive disorders are the other common symptoms of appendicitis you should look for. If you have mild diarrhea with a lot of mucus in it, then see your doctor at once. Sudden weight loss is another thing that can help you diagnose the disease.

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#5. When the infection gets worse, it can interfere with your other body functions and cause disorientation and confusion. As the disease spreads, it consumes more and more oxygen, leaving too less of it for the brain to function properly. If you find a loved one disoriented, take them to the hospital as soon as possible as it could be something that can alter their mental state.

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#6. In some cases, the appendix may be located a little lower in the pelvis close to the bladder. Coming in contact with the inflamed appendix, the bladder also catches an infection and becomes inflamed and irritated. So, if you feel like going to the washroom too frequently and it hurts when you do, you could be suffering from appendicitis.

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The only way to treat appendicitis is by going under the knife. However, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat any potential infection which might be causing the symptoms, but if you have appendicitis, surgery is the only way.

So, if you are suffering from severe abdominal pain in the lower right side, do not panic, just keep an eye out for other symptoms, and if you think it's appendicitis, consult your doctor.

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