The main characteristic symptom of acute appendicitis is severe abdominal pain, located on the lower right side of the belly, close to the hip bone.
However, appendicitis pain can also start to be milder and diffuse, with no specific location around the navel. After a few hours, it is common for this pain to move until it is centered on top of the appendix, that is, on the lower right side of the belly.
If you think you may have appendicitis, check your symptoms:
- 1. Abdominal pain or discomfort Yes No
- 2. Severe pain in the lower right side of the belly Yes No
- 3. Nausea or vomiting Yes No
- 4. Loss of appetite Yes No
- 5. Persistent low fever (between 37.5º and 38º) Yes No
- 6. General malaise Yes No
- 7. Constipation or diarrhea Yes No
- 8. Swollen belly or excess gas Yes No
One way that can help confirm appendicitis is to put light pressure on the site of the pain and then release quickly. If the pain is more severe, it may be a sign of appendicitis and, therefore, it is advisable to go to the emergency room for tests, such as ultrasound, to confirm if there is any change in the appendix.
In some cases, these symptoms may also appear due only to excess gas, however, if they do not improve after 1 day, you should go to the hospital to get a diagnosis of appendicitis.
How to identify appendicitis in the baby
Appendicitis is a rare problem in babies, however, when it does it causes symptoms such as pain in the belly, fever and vomiting. In addition, it may also be noted, in some cases, a swelling in the belly, as well as extreme sensitivity to touch, which translates to easy crying when touching the belly, for example.
Therefore, if there is a suspicion of appendicitis, it is very important to go immediately to the emergency room or to the pediatrician, so that the necessary tests are done in order to quickly start the appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of chronic appendicitis
Although acute appendicitis is the most common type, some people can develop chronic appendicitis, in which generalized and diffuse abdominal pain appears, which may be slightly more intense on the right side and in the lower abdomen. This pain can last for several months or years, until the correct diagnosis is made.
When to go to the doctor
You should go to the emergency room immediately if symptoms of appendicitis develop, especially if after a few hours you also experience:
- Increased abdominal pain; Fever above 38ºC; Chills and tremors; Vomiting; Difficulties to evacuate or release gases.
These symptoms may indicate that the appendix has ruptured and that the stool has spread through the abdominal region, which can cause a serious infection.
