If pain spreads across the belly, it may mean the appendix has burst. Doctors call this ruptured appendicitis , and it's serious. Call your doctor right away if you think your child has appendicitis.
The sooner it's caught, the easier it will be to treat. If an infected appendix isn't removed, it has the potential to burst about 48 to 72 hours after symptoms first start. This can spread bacteria inside the body. The infection might form a large collection of pus an abscess or spread throughout the belly. When the appendix gets blocked, too much bacteria can grow and cause an infection. Some of the things that might block the appendix are:. The symptoms of appendicitis can be a lot like those of other medical problems like kidney stones , pneumonia , or a urinary tract infection.
So it can be a challenge for doctors to diagnose. To find out if a child has appendicitis, a doctor will examine the belly for signs of pain and tenderness. The doctor will order blood tests and urine tests.
Some kids also get an X-ray of the abdomen and chest, an ultrasound , or a CAT scan. The medical team may tell you not to give your child any food or drink. This is in case your child needs surgery.
These include stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting. However, pregnant women may not always have the classic symptoms of appendicitis, especially late in pregnancy. The growing uterus pushes the appendix higher during pregnancy. This means pain may occur in the upper abdomen instead of the lower right side of the abdomen. Pregnant women with appendicitis are also more likely to experience heartburn , gas, or alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea.
These may include:. The medications will help prevent an infection from developing after surgery. Your surgeon will then perform surgery to remove your appendix. This is called an appendectomy. Your surgeon may perform an open appendectomy or a laparoscopic appendectomy. This depends on the severity of your appendicitis. During an open appendectomy, your surgeon makes one incision in the lower right side of your abdomen.
They remove your appendix and close the wound with stitches. This procedure allows your doctor to clean the abdominal cavity if your appendix has burst or if you have an abscess. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, your surgeon will make a few small incisions in your abdomen. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a light and camera at the front. The camera will display the images on a screen, allowing your doctor to see inside your abdomen and guide the instruments. If you developed an abscess or if a complication occurs, your doctor may want you to stay on antibiotics for another day or two.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , in the United States, appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain that leads to surgery. About 5 percent of Americans experience appendicitis at some point in their lives. Appendicitis can happen at any time, but it most often occurs between the ages of 10 and Appendicitis seems less likely if you have a diet rich in fiber.
You can increase your fiber intake by eating a healthy diet that contains lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods that are particularly high in fiber include:. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can prevent constipation and subsequent stool buildup. Stool buildup is the most common cause of appendicitis. Always seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know has symptoms of appendicitis.
More often than not, pain in the lower right abdomen is nothing to worry about and will go away on its own in a day or two. Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy abdomen that may come and go. Within hours, the pain travels to your lower right-hand side, where the appendix is usually located, and becomes constant and severe. If you have abdominal pain that's gradually getting worse, contact your GP or local out-of-hours service immediately. If these options are not available, call NHS for advice.
In women, symptoms similar to those of appendicitis can sometimes have a gynaecological cause, such as an ectopic pregnancy , menstrual pain or pelvic inflammatory disease PID.
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