How to Check for Appendicitis at Home?
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the finger-shaped organ called the appendix. It extends from your colon. Fortunately, you don’t need an appendix to survive. However, the inflammation in your appendix can quickly become a medical emergency. Your appendix can rupture, leading to a potentially life-threatening infection.
It’s important to see an appendix surgeon in Nerul to have it removed either with open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. Timely treatment can often result in a healthy and normal life. The question is, how to check for appendicitis at home? Below, we’ve discussed a few common signs you must watch out for.
Common Symptoms of Appendicitis
Appendicitis may go unnoticed, as people often attribute its symptoms to other stomach issues. Here are some common signs of appendicitis that you must not ignore.
i) Abdominal Pain
When your appendix becomes infected and inflamed, you will experience pain in the lower right side of the belly. It usually starts around the belly button and might spread across the abdomen. Abdominal pain is the hallmark sign of appendicitis.
People with appendicitis experience shooting pain that develops suddenly and intensifies over time. It may also get worse when you cough, sneeze, or move.
ii) Nausea and Vomiting
The appendix can irritate your gastrointestinal system. As the infection progresses, your digestive function is compromised, triggering the vomiting reflex. You are likely to feel nauseous and might even vomit due to the pain and digestive discomfort. People with appendicitis also often don’t feel like eating.
iii) Fever and Chills
A slightly raised temperature doesn’t always indicate appendicitis, but if it occurs with the symptoms mentioned above, an inflamed appendix could be the culprit. Your temperature goes up if there’s an infection.
At-Home Self-Assessment Methods
You can’t detect appendicitis at home. However, a few common steps you can take at home to catch a blocked appendix are mentioned below.
a) Applying Gentle Pressure to the Lower Right Abdomen: Lie on a flat surface and use your fingers to apply gentle pressure to the lower right side of your belly. If it causes sharp, significant pain, especially more severe than on the left side, it could be appendicitis.
b) Checking for Rebound Tenderness: Again, press the lower belly gently and release it. If you feel pain and pressure when releasing, it can be because of the rebound tenderness (another common sign of appendicitis.
c) Monitoring Other Symptoms: Apart from nausea and pain, appendicitis can also cause diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Symptoms of appendicitis can worsen within 24-36 hours. In fact, there’s a chance your appendix might rupture shortly after the onset of symptoms. That’s why prompt diagnosis is crucial. If you notice these symptoms, seek appendicitis treatment in Nerul immediately:
- The pain in your abdomen increases rapidly and can be felt throughout the entire belly.
- You can’t pass wind or stools (it indicates bowel obstruction).
- You have a high-grade fever.
All these signs indicate an infected appendix that has either ruptured or is likely to burst if not removed quickly.
