Appendicitis
On average, one in every 500 people develops appendicitis each year, according to the
Harvard Medical School. People aged 15-30 are at the most significant risk, and appendicitis
is the leading cause of abdominal surgery in children.
Appendicitis is always considered a medical emergency, so don’t hesitate to visit Legacy ER & Urgent Care if you are experiencing symptoms and not sure if you have appendicitis. Our ER-trained physicians can diagnose appendicitis and other abdominal issues at our emergency room and urgent care facilities.
What Is Appendicitis?
Your appendix is a small sac attached to your large intestine. Most of the time, you don’t even realize it’s there. In fact, no one knows its purpose, so it generally stays out of the way and leaves you alone. However, if it becomes inflamed or infected, you’ll develop appendicitis.
While some people develop chronic appendicitis and experience mild symptoms that come and go, that’s quite rare. Instead, most people get a diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Appendicitis Symptoms
Appendicitis can cause a myriad of symptoms, although you might not experience all of them. Common signs of appendicitis include:
- Sudden onset of abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Pain typically on the right side of the abdomen
- Appetite loss
- Nausea or/or Vomiting
- Constipation and/or Diarrhea
- Inability to pass gas
- Low–grade fever
Some people only experience abdominal pain without any of the other appendicitis symptoms. While pain is generally located on the right side, it can occur throughout the abdomen. Often, the pain is worse when walking and coughing.
Do You Need Urgent Medical Care?
Appendicitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care. Dial 911 or visit the emergency room for diagnosis and treatment if you experience severe abdominal pain or any of the other signs of appendicitis. If the condition is not treated, your appendix could rupture, spreading the infection throughout your abdomen. This is called peritonitis and can be fatal, so it’s important to act quickly.
Diagnosing Appendicitis
Your doctor might order a blood test to see if you have an elevated white blood count that indicates infection. However, to diagnose appendicitis, your physician will need a pelvic or abdominal CT scan. An ultrasound is typically used to diagnose the condition in children.
Treatment
Surgery is almost always needed to treat appendicitis. However, if you have an abscess along with appendicitis, that might need to be addressed first. First, you will take an antibiotic, and then your doctor will drain the abscess with a needle.
When ready, you will undergo an appendectomy. If your appendix is still intact, the surgeon will remove it. If not, the surgeon will remove the ruptured appendix and clean the area.
If you think you have appendicitis, do not hesitate to visit Legacy ER & Urgent Care. With convenient locations throughout the DFW area, we are nearby and ready to help you.