Appendicitis symptoms which side

Treatment normally begins with antibiotics and intravenous fluid. Some mild cases of appendicitis can be treated completely with fluids and antibiotics. The most common next step is surgery, known as an appendectomy. Removing the appendix decreases the risk of it rupturing.

Early treatment is important to reduce the risk of complications, which can lead to death. Surgeons remove the appendix through a single incision made in the lower right area of the abdomen. This may be necessary for a burst appendix. Patients should limit their physical activity for the first 10 to 14 days after a laparotomy surgery.

Inflammation can cause the appendix to rupture, sometimes as soon as 48 to 72 hours after the symptoms begin. A rupture can cause bacteria, stool, and air to leak into the abdomen, causing infection and further complications, which can be fatal.

Infections that can result from a burst appendix include peritonitis, an inflammation of the lining of the abdomen, or an abscess. With prompt treatment, appendicitis is treatable, and recovery is normally fast and complete.

With early surgery, the mortality rate is under 1 percent. Without surgery or antibiotics, for example, in remote areas, the mortality rate can be 50 percent or higher. If the appendix bursts, this can lead to complications, such as an abscess or peritonitis. Recovery may be lengthy in these cases. Older people make also take longer to recover. The appendix is often considered a nonfunctioning organ, unnecessary for survival, but some scientists suggest that it may play a role in maintaining a healthy immune system.

Read the article in Spanish. Chronic appendicitis is an infection of the appendix. Though rare, it can become extremely painful and, in some cases, become life-threatening. Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Learn about its risk factors, effects on the body, and…. Abdominal pain can result from problems in the stomach, gallbladder, or large intestine. Causes include gas and menstrual cramps. Here, find out more.

It might seem like just a stomachache. But with appendicitis, the pain usually gets worse and moves to the lower right side of the belly.

If pain spreads across the belly, it may mean the appendix has burst. Doctors call this ruptured appendicitis , and it's serious. Call your doctor right away if you think your child has appendicitis. The sooner it's caught, the easier it will be to treat. If an infected appendix isn't removed, it has the potential to burst about 48 to 72 hours after symptoms first start. This can spread bacteria inside the body. The infection might form a large collection of pus an abscess or spread throughout the belly.

When the appendix gets blocked, too much bacteria can grow and cause an infection. Some of the things that might block the appendix are:. The symptoms of appendicitis can be a lot like those of other medical problems like kidney stones , pneumonia , or a urinary tract infection.

So it can be a challenge for doctors to diagnose. To find out if a child has appendicitis, a doctor will examine the belly for signs of pain and tenderness. The doctor will order blood tests and urine tests. Some kids also get an X-ray of the abdomen and chest, an ultrasound , or a CAT scan.

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Appendicitis The appendix is a narrow, finger-shaped pouch that projects out from the colon. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Appendicitis. Accessed May 4, Appendectomy: Surgical removal of the appendix. American College of Surgeons. Martin RF.