Are you wondering if your abdominal pain could be appendicitis? In this blogpost, we’ll break down the most common appendicitis symptoms, how to know if you have it, and the best options for appendicitis treatment.

Last month I got an early morning call from my son who was experiencing severe abdominal pain. It turned out that he had appendicitis! He’s doing fine now, but it made me think that I should do a video on this.

What Is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small, finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine. It’s considered a medical emergency because if left untreated, it can rupture and lead to a life-threatening infection in your abdominal cavity.

Appendicitis Symptoms

So, what are the early signs of appendicitis? Symptoms can vary, but here are the most common ones to watch for:

• Sudden Pain around the belly button that later moves to the lower right side of the abdomen

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea or vomiting

• Low-grade fever

• Bloating or gas

• Difficulty passing gas or having a bowel movement

This pain usually gets worse over time, especially when walking or making sudden movements. If you notice these appendix pain symptoms, don’t ignore them. My son had severe pain on his right side, and a low-grade fever.  He doesn’t ever experience those symptoms, so right away I had a feeling that it was appendicitis.  

How to Know If You Have Appendicitis

So, how do you know if you have appendicitis for sure? Seeing a doctor is a must. Lots of things can cause abdominal pain. To narrow down the cause, doctors typically perform these:"

• A physical exam, especially checking for tenderness in the lower right abdomen

• A white blood cell test to check for infection

• Imaging tests, like an ultrasound or CT scan, to confirm inflammation in the appendix.

Appendicitis Treatment

When it comes to appendicitis treatment, surgery is the most common solution. This is called an appendectomy, and it can be done using either laparoscopic (minimally invasive) or open surgery.

Most people receive laparoscopic surgery, except in extreme emergencies. 3 small holes or cuts are made in your abdomen, it’s inflated with air so that the surgeon can see well and move the instruments into position, and then your appendix is removed.  It’s a very quick procedure, and most people recover relatively quickly as well.

In some cases antibiotics may be used to treat the infection rather than undergoing an appendectomy. This is sometimes done for minor cases of appendicitis. However, it’s not all that common anymore because the risk of rupture is high, and even if the antibiotics work, once you’ve had appendicitis, the chance of having it again is very high.

In most cases I’m not a big advocate for surgery, but this is one area where it’s probably warranted. I am a big fan of the appendix, and I do not believe in removing parts of your body just because it’s easy or makes economic sense for the medical industry.  

I’m also confident that the appendix is an important organ, playing a role in your immune system and housing good gut bacteria.  But antibiotics have their own downside, and the risk of rupturing your appendix and experiencing a life-threatening infection are too great to ignore.

When to See a Doctor

If you’re experiencing sharp pain in your lower right abdomen, especially along with nausea or fever, don’t wait. Seek medical attention right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis can prevent complications like a ruptured appendix or infection.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, at least 90% of all cases of abdominal pain are not caused by appendicitis. Of course, if it’s not appendicitis, that’s only partially good news. You still need answers as to why you have these symptoms.

And that’s our area of expertise. This video is sponsored by the IBS Treatment Center, experts in helping people solve IBS related abdominal pain and digestive problems, and working with people around the world via telemedicine.

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