Appendicitis is an infection of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse or NDDIC. Appendicitis symptoms can vary and mimic other causes of abdominal pain such as constipation, intestinal obstruction or adhesions, inflammatory bowel disease and certain gynecological disorders. Appendicitis can be life threatening if the appendix bursts and spreads the infection. Anyone with abdominal pain who suspects they might have appendicitis should seek immediate medical care.
Abdominal Pain
The first sign of appendicitis is abdominal pain that usually begins near the navel and then moves down the abdomen and to the right, according to the NDDIC. But not everyone has pain in the same place because the position of the appendix can vary, according to MayoClinic.com. Pregnant women and young children are most likely to experience abdominal pain in other locations.
Pain Characteristics
The pain is likely to occur suddenly, perhaps waking a patient at night, according to the NDDIC. But it can start as an ache that becomes sharper over several hours, notes MayoClinic.com. The pain will not feel like any previous abdominal pain. Pain from appendicitis usually gets worse rapidly, often in just a few hours. Movement, breathing, coughing or sneezing will increase the pain. The pain is severe enough that the patient is often unable to sit still or find any comfortable position, according to MayoClinic.com.
Other Symptoms
Appendicitis can also cause a wide range of digestive symptoms, reports the NDDIC. A patient might experience nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, fever and abdominal swelling. Patients may also feel unable to pass gas or feel that defecating may relieve their pain. Sometimes appendicitis causes frequent urination or a strong urge to urinate, according to KidsHealth. In children less than two years old, the most common symptoms are vomiting and a bloated belly, along with pain, according to KidsHealth.
