Appendicitis symptoms include severe abdominal pain that typically recurs in spasms-first near the naval then moving to the lower right side of the abdomen. The pain generally becomes a constant ache after a few hours. Additional symptoms of appendicitis include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain when walking or urinating and tenderness in the lower right side of the abdomen. Symptoms of appendicitis take from 4 to 48 hours to develop and can vary greatly between individuals, which can make appendicitis difficult to diagnose. Children and the elderly often show only a few symptoms of appendicitis, such as a tender abdomen and a loss of appetite.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of appendicitis, including increased or continuous abdominal pain, should seek medical assistance. Until the individual experiencing appendicitis symptoms is examined by medical personnel, the individual should remain lying down. An ice pack or hot water bottle placed on the sore area may help ease the pain until medical help is obtained. Those who are experiencing symptoms of appendicitis should not eat or drink, as this can delay or complicate surgery if required. If the individual is thirsty, rinsing the mouth with water-without swallowing-will help to relieve a dry mouth. No over the counter medications should be taken as they have the potential to mask symptoms and interfere with proper diagnosis that increases the chances of rupturing the appendix. Appendicitis is typically diagnosed through a combination of examining the patient for symptoms of appendicitis as well as blood, urine and imaging tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound. Treating appendicitis necessitates surgery to remove the appendix before it ruptures. This procedure is known as an appendectomy and is most commonly performed laparoscopically, which requires several very small incisions, though some cases require a more invasive and open type of abdominal surgery. There is no known definitive cause for appendicitis and it cannot be transmitted from one person to another, nor is it a hereditary condition. Since there is no way to know when appendicitis will occur, there is no way to prevent it.

Symptoms of appendicitis will vary among individuals. The most typical symptom one will develop is pain in the lower right side of the abdomen where the appendix is located. The pain that an individual experiences may actually start in the region of the belly button and extend into the lower right side as time passes. There are a number of other symptoms that may or may not accompany the pain one experiences with the onset of appendicitis. For instance, an individual with appendicitis may develop symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, light headedness, diarrhea, a low-grade fever, sweating, and chills with the onset of the disorder.

If an individual develops the common symptoms of appendicitis, they should seek the assistance of a medical professional immediately. The appendix, if infected, may burst, causing severe complications in the individual. Such complications can result in death, and the appendix must be surgically removed if it is infected. The symptoms of appendicitis are similar and both adults and children seemingly present signs of the disorder in a similar manner. Whether one is an adult or a child, ultimately the appendix must be removed to return the individual to a physical state of optimal health.

When appendicitis is treated by medical professionals, the individual suffering from appendicitis will undergo a surgical procedure through the use of a general anesthetic. A qualified surgeon will enter the individual’s abdomen on the lower right side by making small incisions. The surgeon will make the smallest incisions possible to minimize the scarring one has after the cut heals. The surgeon will rely on a laparoscope to remove the appendix, and the individual will face 21 to 28 days in terms of recovery time. During recovery, an individual may have to deal with minor pain, may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, may be prescribed pain medication to deal with pain, and can expect to have his or her activities limited until proper healing of the abdomen can occur.