Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5 to 10cm (2 to 4 inches) long. It’s connected to the large intestine, where poo forms.
Appendicitis causes pain in the lower right abdomen. In most patients, however, the pain begins around the navel and develops. Appendicitis pain normally develops as the inflammation worsens and gradually becomes severe.
Appendicitis is most common in people aged 10 to 30. Appendicitis can also affect children and teenagers. If left untreated, appendicitis can progress to the bursting of the appendix. This condition can cause severe pain and even death.
Symptoms of Appendicitis
The classic symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Pain in your lower right belly or pain near your navel that moves lower. This is usually the first sign.
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting soon after belly pain begins
- Swollen belly
- Fever of 99-102 F
- Can’t pass gas
Other less common symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Dull or sharp pain anywhere in your upper or lower belly, back, or rear end
- Painful or difficult peeing
- Vomiting before your belly pain starts
- Severe cramps
- Constipation or diarrhea with gas
You may be interested to read more on Stomach Pain and Cramps? This Could Be Symptooms of Diarrhea
Causes of Appendicitis
The cause of appendicitis is not certain. However, there are a number of factors that are thought to cause a person to experience appendicitis, namely:
- Obstacles at the door of the appendix cavity due to accumulation of feces or hard stools
- Thickening or swelling of the appendix wall tissue due to infection in the digestive tract or other body parts
- Blockage of the appendix cavity due to the growth of parasites in the digestive tract, for example, pinworm infection or ascariasis
- Certain medical conditions, such as a tumor in the stomach or inflammatory bowel disease
- Abdominal pain
Treatment for Appendicitis
If the diagnosis is certain, the standard treatment for appendicitis is surgery. In early conditions, when it can be directly diagnosed, it is possible to administer antibiotics, however, the recurrence rate reaches 35%. Surgery can be done openly or semi-closed (laparoscopic). After surgery, antibiotics should be given for 7-10 days. Next is the care of the surgical wound which must be avoided the possibility of secondary infection from contaminated tools.
Consult a doctor right away if you have symptoms of appendicitis. Before contacting a doctor, avoid using pain relievers, ulcer medicines, or bowel facilitation medicines to assist the doctor to identify whether you have appendicitis or not.
PrimePlus Medical is your trusted healthcare provider in Canggu, Bali. Our team of English-speaking doctors is always ready to offer you international quality medical services. From quality consultation to great emergency care and even vaccination services, we are passionately driven to become your top healthcare solution in Bali.
If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to give us a call at +(62)361 474 0055 or email us at [email protected]!
English 
Indonesian