Symptoms of Appendicitis: Which Side of the Stomach Hurts and How? You Need to Know Before It Bursts.

Symptoms of Appendicitis: Which Side of the Stomach Hurts and How? You Need to Know Before It Bursts.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

Standard symptoms of appendicitis:

Initially, the pain will start generally and it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location. It can be around:

• The navel area, and can be occasional or constant. However, it is generally constant. After that, about 6-10 hours later, the pain will move to the…

• Lower right abdomen below the navel. It is constant and may be accompanied by a fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea.

Classical symptoms are found in only about 25% of cases.

The remaining symptoms may not be like this, such as there may be no movement of pain, or it may be intermittent (in cases of the early stages or pre-ileal or post-ileal type).

However, the important point is the pain in the lower right abdomen, sensitive to pressure, unable to walk, loss of appetite, and often constant pain. Loss of appetite is a very important symptom, found in almost 100% of cases. Therefore, if there is abdominal pain but no loss of appetite and one can eat rice well, the chance of having appendicitis is almost non-existent.

Ruptured Appendix:

If the appendix ruptures, the fever will rise to around 40 degrees Celsius, and the pain will be throughout the entire abdomen on both sides. The abdomen will be stiff, and one will not be able to walk, and have to lie still. The only treatment is surgery, whether it is ruptured or not.

How is the nature of the pain different from other diseases?

Generally, the pain from other diseases is intermittent.

Peptic Ulcer:

If it is due to a peptic ulcer, the pain is usually below the xyphoid process, associated with food. The stomach feels bloated as if the food is not digested or there is intermittent pain after eating.

Duodenal Ulcer:

If it is due to a duodenal ulcer, it may be in the area below the xyphoid process or the right costal arch. There may be intermittent cramping pain before eating, which will improve after eating.

Gallbladder pain:

Gallbladder pain usually occurs on the right side of the rib cage. It may radiate to the lower right side of the back or the area between the ribs. There will be a significant symptom, which is discomfort or bloating after eating fatty foods (fat intolerance) or intermittent pain after eating cold food.

Kidney stone pain:

Kidney stone pain is often intermittent and located in the lower back. It may radiate down to the groin area, and there may be blood in the urine or urine that appears pink.

Ovarian cyst pain:

Pain from the ovary or fallopian tube can cause pain in the lower abdomen, unrelated to food, often accompanied by abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina.

It can be difficult to differentiate abdominal pain in the early stages, whether it's from the fallopian tube or other diseases. Therefore, in cases where abdominal pain starts and the cause is unknown, it is recommended to see a doctor for diagnosis before taking pain relievers. This is because taking pain relievers can complicate the diagnosis, making it more difficult for the doctor to determine the cause of the pain.

Doctor:

Dr. Thanet Phuwapongpankorn

Specializes in Surgery, OB/GYN

Surgeon at Vipawadee Hospital.