Where is appendicitis pain felt

If your appendix ruptures, your fever may elevate to a higher temperature. In some cases, appendicitis can mimic the symptoms of a urinary tract infection and you may experience painful urination or difficulty passing urine.

If you have these symptoms along with any of the other ones listed above, it could be an appendix problem, rather than a bladder issue. If you have any combination of the symptoms of appendicitis, seek immediate medical attention. An accurate diagnosis is crucial to your treatment. These can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture. A ruptured appendix is a dangerous situation; a medical emergency that typically requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix.

If not removed quickly, an infected appendix can spill materials like bacteria into your abdominal cavity, which can lead to a condition called peritonitis — inflammation of the lining inside your abdomen.

Left untreated, peritonitis can be fatal. The team of expert minimally invasive and robotic surgeons at the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery routinely perform appendectomies. Based on your condition, your surgeon determines the best approach for removing your appendix. Laparoscopic surgery is ideal for removing an infected appendix because it leaves fewer scars and allows you to heal faster than you would from open surgery.

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Appendicitis can be caused by a number of things besides a blockage of your appendix opening, such as a gastrointestinal infection that causes the tissue in the wall of your appendix to swell; inflammatory bowel disease — even abdominal trauma can irritate your appendix.

Physicians will verify your appendicitis by doing a physical exam as well as blood, urine or ultrasound tests, MRI or CT scans. Once they diagnose the problem, appendicitis is usually treated by surgically removing the appendix. If caught early enough, however, the infection may be cured with antibiotics. It can take between 36 to 72 hours for an inflamed appendix to burst. Edward-Elmhurst Health Emergency Departments located in Elmhurst and Naperville, and a freestanding emergency center in Plainfield, combine modern technology with comfort and care.

Get locations and learn more. A blockage, or obstruction, in the appendix can lead to appendicitis, which is an inflammation and infection of your appendix. The blockage may result from a buildup of mucus, parasites, or most commonly, fecal matter. This causes the appendix to become irritated and swollen, ultimately leading to appendicitis. The appendix is in the lower right side of your abdomen. This means that it provides no vital function and that you may live a normal, healthy life without it.

The purpose of the appendix is unknown. Some believe it contains tissue that helps your immune system process infections in your body. The resulting infection is called peritonitis. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Having a ruptured appendix is a life-threatening situation. Rupture rarely happens within the first 24 hours of symptoms, but the risk of rupture rises dramatically after 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , the appendix can rupture as quickly as 48 to 72 hours after the onset of symptoms. Appendicitis usually involves a gradual onset of dull, cramping, or aching pain throughout the abdomen. As the appendix becomes more swollen and inflamed, it will irritate the lining of the abdominal wall, known as the peritoneum. This causes localized, sharp pain in the right lower part of the abdomen. The pain tends to be more constant and severe than the dull, aching pain that occurs when symptoms start.

However, some people may have an appendix that lies behind the colon. Appendicitis that occurs in these people can cause lower back pain or pelvic pain. You may also have the chills. If your appendix bursts, the resulting infection could cause your fever to rise. Appendicitis can cause nausea and vomiting. You may also become constipated or develop severe diarrhea. This may be related to underlying appendicitis. They also may have a difficult time pinpointing the pain, and they may say that the pain is in their entire abdomen.

This can make it difficult to determine that appendicitis is the cause. Parents can easily mistake appendicitis for a stomach bug or urinary tract infection UTI. A ruptured appendix can be dangerous for anyone, but the risk of death is highest in infants and toddlers. Many appendicitis symptoms are similar to the discomforts of pregnancy.