Acute appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes irritated, causing symptoms that get worse very quickly. The appendix is a small organ in the lower right side of the abdomen about the size of a finger. It no longer serves any purpose in humans, and most people go their entire lives without giving much thought to their appendicitis. However, if it becomes inflamed, it can be dangerous. The appendix is attached to the lower right part of the large intestine. If faeces clogs the appendix, an infection could occur — leading to appendicitis.
Common symptoms of acute appendicitis include:
Many people do not present with these “classic” symptoms of appendicitis. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are less likely to have these common symptoms. Other symptoms that are seen less commonly but associated with acute appendicitis include:
It’s essential to see a healthcare provider if you believe you or your child is dealing with a case of acute appendicitis. Other conditions can be easily confused with appendicitis, particularly if you are assigned female at birth (AFAB). However, seeking medical help is vital to ensuring you stay healthy.
Your healthcare provider will diagnose acute appendicitis by asking you about your recent symptoms and performing a physical examination, checking for any tenderness or pain around your appendix. They may choose to do further tests to confirm the diagnosis, like imaging tests to see if your appendix is swollen or blood tests to look for indicators of infection.
Complications of acute appendicitis include tissue death in the appendix, whole-body infection, formation of an abscess or a mass around the appendix, sepsis, and death.
Almost every case of acute appendicitis is treated with surgical removal of the appendix as soon as possible. Some cases are caught very early; in these instances, a provider may prefer to monitor the situation and treat you with antibiotics to see if it resolves independently without surgery. The outlook for acute appendicitis that’s treated is very good. However, the mortality rate for untreated cases of acute appendicitis is over 50% – so it’s imperative to see a doctor if have symptoms.