If you have inflammation near your lower abdomen, you may have appendicitis. This condition is most common in people aged 10 to 30 years, while children under the age of 10 and women over the age of 50 very rarely experience this traditional symptom. If you are diagnosed with appendicitis, you may need surgery to remove the appendix. The appendix is a small, elongated pouch present in the small intestine. Since this is medically considered an emergency, it is important that you know how to recognize the signs and how to seek medical help immediately.
Emergency Symptoms
Go to the doctor or emergency room immediately if you experience the following symptoms:
- Fever with body temperature exceeding 38°C
- Back hurts
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Urinating is painful
- Pain in the rectum, stomach, or back
Step
Part 1 of 2: Checking the Symptoms on Yourself
Step 1. Look for the common symptoms of appendicitis
The most common symptom is pain in the abdomen near the navel that spreads or changes near the abdomen in the lower right. There are also other, less common, symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately or call a doctor. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital as soon as possible. If you delay it, the appendix can burst and this is very dangerous for you. Usually these symptoms can be seen within 12 to 18 hours, but symptoms can last up to a week and become worse over time. These symptoms include:
- decreased appetite
- stomach problems - such as nausea, diarrhea and constipation, especially when accompanied by frequent vomiting
- fever - Go to the hospital immediately if your body temperature is over 40°C. Go to the hospital as soon as possible if your temperature reaches 38°C but you have other symptoms. Another symptom is a mild fever with a body temperature of around 37.2°C.
- cold and body shaking
- back pain
- can't pass the wind
- tenesmus - the feeling that having a bowel movement will reduce discomfort.
- Many of these symptoms are similar to viral gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines due to a virus). The difference is that the pain is generalized and non-specific in gastroenteritis.
Step 2. Be aware of the less common symptoms of appendicitis
In addition to the above symptoms, you may also experience symptoms associated with appendicitis but are not so common. Some of the symptoms that are not very common but need to be aware of include:
- Urinating is painful
- Vomit before you start to feel pain in the stomach
- Sharp or mild pain in the rectum, back, or upper or lower abdomen
Step 3. Watch for abdominal pain
In most adults, the appendix is located on the lower right side of the abdomen, which is usually a third of the distance from the navel to the hipbone. Keep in mind that this location can be different in women who are pregnant. Pay attention to the "path" of pain. The sharp pain can move from the belly button directly to the area above the appendix within 12 to 24 hours after symptoms appear. If you see a clear development like this, go to the emergency department immediately.
The symptoms of appendicitis can get worse within 4 to 48 hours in adults. It is considered a medical emergency if you have been diagnosed with appendicitis
Step 4. Press your stomach
If you feel pain even if you just touch it, especially in the lower right part, you should immediately go to the emergency department. You may also feel pain in your lower abdomen if you press on it.
Look for bouncing pain. Try pressing the lower right abdomen and releasing quickly. If you experience sharp pain, you may have appendicitis and should seek medical attention immediately
Step 5. Notice if your stomach feels hard
Can your fingers go deep when you press on your stomach? Or does your stomach feel stiff and hard? If you are experiencing the latter symptoms, you may be experiencing bloating. And this is another symptom of appendicitis.
If you feel pain in your stomach, but you don't have a decreased appetite or feel nauseous, it may not be appendicitis. There are many reasons why abdominal pain should not be taken to the emergency department. When in doubt, call or see a doctor if you experience abdominal pain that lasts more than 3 days
Step 6. Try to stand up straight and walk
If you feel a lot of pain when you do this, you may have appendicitis. Although you should seek medical attention immediately, you may be able to reduce the pain by lying on your side and curled up like a fetus in the womb.
Check to see if the pain gets worse when you shake or cough
Step 7. Understand the difference between symptoms experienced by pregnant women and children
In pregnant women, the appendix is in a higher place so the pain is in a different place. In children 2 years of age or younger, the pain in the abdomen is usually lower, accompanied by vomiting and abdominal swelling. Toddlers suffering from appendicitis sometimes have difficulty eating and appear very sleepy. They may not want to eat even if you give them their favorite snack.
- In older children, they will experience pain as in adults that starts at the navel and moves to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen, but can get worse if the child moves.
- Children will have a high fever if the appendix ruptures.
Part 2 of 2: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Do not take medication until you have received treatment
If you think you have symptoms of appendicitis, don't make the situation worse by going to the emergency room. Some things you should avoid while waiting for treatment include:
- Do not take laxatives or painkillers. The irritation in your intestines can get worse if you take laxatives, while painkillers can make it difficult for you to observe spikes in stomach pain.
- Don't take antacids. This medicine can make the pain associated with appendicitis worse.
- Avoid using a heating pad, as this can cause the inflamed appendix to burst.
- Before you get tested, don't eat or drink, as this can put you at a higher risk of aspiration during surgery.
Step 2. Go to the emergency department immediately
If you believe you have appendicitis, don't just make an appointment with your doctor over the phone for the next few days. Go to the hospital as soon as possible. Appendicitis can cause death if the appendix ruptures without treatment.
Bring equipment to stay, such as pajamas and toothbrush. If you have appendicitis, you will need surgery and stay in the hospital
Step 3. While in the emergency room, describe your symptoms
Be prepared to undergo triage (grouping of patients based on priorities and needs) and tell the nurse that you have appendicitis. You will be given a priority order of treatment according to the level of urgency of the patient. This means that if someone with a head injury is admitted to the emergency department, you may have to wait a little longer.
No need to panic if you have to wait. Once you're in the hospital, you'll be much safer than when you were at home. Even if your appendix bursts in the waiting room, you will be operated on immediately. Be patient and distract yourself from the pain
Step 4. Know what you can expect from the inspection
When you see your doctor, explain once again the symptoms you are experiencing. Tell your doctor about the onset of indigestion (such as constipation or vomiting), and tell your doctor when you first felt pain. The doctor will check whether you do have signs of appendicitis or not.
Prepare to be pressed against the stomach. The doctor will press hard on your lower abdomen. The doctor will check for peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), or an infection caused by a ruptured appendix. If you have peritonitis, your abdominal muscles will tighten when you press on them. Perhaps the doctor will also perform a brief rectal examination
Step 5. Prepare for additional tests
It is very important that you undergo laboratory tests and body scans to get a definite diagnosis of appendicitis. Some of the tests you may have to undergo include:
- blood test - This test will identify a high white blood cell count, which indicates a sign of infection before a low body temperature is seen. Blood tests can also show electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, which can also cause pain. Maybe the doctor will also do a pregnancy test on female patients.
- Urinalysis (urine test) - Urine can indicate a possible urinary tract infection or kidney stones which can sometimes accompany abdominal pain.
- ultrasound - Ultrasound examination of the abdomen can show the presence of a blocked appendix, ruptured appendix, swollen appendix, or other causes that cause abdominal pain. Ultrasound is the safest type of radiation and is usually the first attempt to get an image of the body.
- MRI - MRI is used to get more detailed images of internal organs without using X-rays. Be prepared to feel tight when you enter the MRI machine, as the space is narrow. Many doctors prescribe a mild sedative to help reduce anxiety. An MRI will also show the same signs as an ultrasound, but with a slightly closer look.
- CT Scan - To display the image, a CT scan uses X-rays with computer technology. You have to drink a solution. If you don't regurgitate the solution, you can do the test lying on a table. The procedure can be done fairly quickly, and is not as overwhelming as an MRI machine. This test is used most often and will also display the same signs as an inflamed, ruptured, or blocked appendix.
Step 6. Prepare for an appendectomy (appendectomy)
If your doctor has confirmed that you have appendicitis, the only way to treat it is to remove the appendix through a surgical procedure called an appendectomy. Most surgeons prefer to perform a laparoscopic type of surgery, which is less scarring, than an open appendectomy.
If your doctor concludes that you don't need surgery, you can go home for "observations" within 12 to 24 hours. During that time, you should not take antibiotics, painkillers, or laxatives. In this situation, immediately contact the hospital if your condition worsens. Don't wait for your symptoms to subside. You may have to return to the hospital with a urine sample. If you return to the hospital for another examination, you should absolutely not eat or drink anything beforehand as this could lead to complications during the operation
Step 7. Speed up your recovery
Modern appendectomy is non-invasive so you can return to a normal life with few or no complications. However, this is still a surgical procedure, so you should take good care of yourself. Some things you can do to get back in shape after surgery include:
- Re-consumption of solid foods gradually. Since your digestive tract has just been operated on, you can eat or drink something after 24 hours. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when you can enjoy small amounts of fluids, then solids, all of which should be eaten separately. Finally, you will be allowed to eat your food as usual.
- Don't push yourself too hard on the first day. Use this situation as an excuse so you can rest and recuperate. Try doing some light activity and movement a few days later, as your body will begin to heal if you get active.
- Call your doctor if you have problems. Call your doctor right away if you have pain, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, fever, diarrhea, bloody urine or stools, constipation, and if there is discharge or swelling around the surgical incision. You should also call your doctor if you have symptoms of appendicitis after you have had your appendix removed.
Tips
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It's possible that people with this particular condition don't experience the classic symptoms of appendicitis and just feel sick or not feeling well in general. Some of these special conditions include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- HIV sufferers
- Patients with cancer and/or chemotherapy
- Recipient of organ transplant
- Pregnant (have the highest risk during the third trimester)
- Babies and small children
- Elderly people
- There is also a condition called appendicitis colic. These are intense stomach cramps caused by spasms or contractions in the appendix. This condition can be caused by a blockage, tumor, scar tissue or the presence of a foreign body. Traditionally, doctors would not believe that the appendix could "grunt." The pain may be present for some time and may come and go. This condition is difficult to diagnose, but it can lead to acute appendicitis later.
Warning
- Delayed medical treatment can make a person have to wear a colostomy bag for several months, or even a lifetime.
- If you suspect appendicitis, never delay getting medical treatment. A ruptured appendix can be life-threatening. If you go to the emergency room and are allowed to go home unattended, go back to the hospital for a re-examination if the symptoms get worse. It's not uncommon for symptoms to get worse over time until you actually need surgery.
