What is appendicitis?
 

Inflammation of the appendix, a tube-shaped organ located in the lower right side of abdomen, leads to appendicitis. 
 

What causes appendix inflammation?
 

Inflammation of the appendix may result from obstruction of the organ's opening, which can be caused due to deposition of faecal matter. Accidentally swallowing a sharp foreign object may also damage and cause blockage. Inflammation can also be the result of the organ getting infected by virus, fungi, bacteria or parasites.  
 

Some appendicitis symptoms that you may not be aware of
 

• Pain subsides, worry rises

  Usually pain has a negative connotation; but in appendicitis, if pain subsides, it may indicate rupturing of the appendix which can lead to severe infection. 
   

• No reason to suspect

  Sometimes appendicitis symptoms are such, that one does not bother to get themselves checked; expecting them to be seasonal flu, or usual discomforts e.g., fever, gas, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation. 
   

• Antibiotics to the rescue

  One may have heard that the only cure for this condition is, the removal of the appendix through surgery, known as appendectomy. But, that is not always the case. Some people may only need the support of antibiotics to cure it; which their doctor can suggest upon diagnosis. 
   

• Movements hurt

  Jerky movements like coughing or even as routinely as walking or sitting can worsen pain. 
   

• Acute vs chronic 

  An acute condition is more common. It starts and worsens quickly. 
  

  On the other hand, a chronic form of the condition in which the organ is irritated on and off over a long period of time, but is not severe in terms of the appendicitis symptoms, is rare. 
  

  However, if you suffer from abdominal pains for a long period of time, consult a medical expert as symptoms might unexpectedly worsen like in an acute condition. 
  

   

Complications
 

• Perforation or rupture: refers to bursting of the inflamed organ.

• Peritonitis: when the puss filled appendix bursts, infection spreads throughout the peritoneal cavity, abdomen and bloodstream.  This can cause peritonitis which can be life threatening, if medical help is not sought immediately. 

• Abscess: a pocket of puss may be formed around the burst organ. It needs to be drained out during appendectomy and treated with the help of antibiotics. It can be diagnosed through an ultrasound. 
   

How to know if the appendix has ruptured?
 

Subsiding or severe abdominal pain, high fever, chills, light-headedness, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, swelling of the abdomen and rapid heartbeat are some of the signs that indicate that the appendix has burst. 
 

How is the diagnosis done?
 

The following are some procedures that a doctor may carry out in order to diagnose appendicitis,

• Physical examination: to feel the abdominal area to access pain level through response to the gentle pressure applied. 

• Urine test: to confirm if the pain is not caused by other problems like the presence of kidney stones or due to contracting a urinary tract infection.

• Abdominal imaging tests: like ultrasound, X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerised tomography scan (CT scan), to confirm the condition or find other possible reasons for the abdominal pain. 

• Blood test: can determine a high count of white blood cells in the body which can indicate the presence of infection. 
   

Treatment of appendicitis
 

The treatment depends upon the condition of the patient.

With mild symptoms, sans any complication, is treatable with antibiotics. 

However, if the symptoms are severe and the organ is near a rupture, then surgical procedure known as appendectomy, to remove the inflamed organ is necessary to prevent spreading of infection. 
 

Pre and post operative care
 

• Pre: Disclosing any allergies, avoiding any food or drink before the surgery, wearing appropriate clothing, maintaining personal hygiene, being given medicated fluids to prevent nausea and reduce pain are some of the pre-operative measures that may me instructed and carried out by your doctor.

• Post: Monitoring of essential signs of health like breathing, consciousness and heart rate by the medical experts, suggesting a proper diet chart, continuation of medication and instructing the activity level allowed for proper recovery, can be part of the post-operative care measures. 
   

Remember, health is wealth; so prioritise your well-being. If you see any of the unusual appendicitis symptoms mentioned above, please consult your doctor for a medical examination and get your appendix checked. Before taking any action or doing any activity, consult your doctor before. 
 

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Conclusion
 

Some of the appendicitis symptoms may seem common and be seen as part of seasonal flu or occasional sickness. But the early signs and other symptoms should not be taken lightly as the condition can be fatal. Hence, it is advised to get regular medical check-ups to stay aware and take timely action upon diagnosis.