How to Check for Appendicitis at Home?

Appendicitis is a disease that occurs when a part of the large colon called the appendix becomes blocked or inflamed. If this condition is not treated, this may result in rupture of the appendix and a fatal outcome.

Generally, there are extreme telltale signs of appendix: severe pain in the lower abdomen, especially the right lower side, followed by bouts of vomiting, low-grade fever and shivering. The symptoms often begin suddenly with a sharp shooting pain, which rapidly progresses to uncontrollable pain, and you have to rush to the hospital. This is why appendicitis is such a serious treatable disease; it happens so quickly. Despite the severity of appendicitis, it is typically treated effectively with a procedure called a 3D Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

To treat appendicitis at the right time, it's essential to be proactive in recognizing symptoms rather than ignoring them as common stomach issues. Early detection can make all the difference in preventing complications like a ruptured appendix, an appendicular abscess leading to sepsis, and an appendicular mass. Here’s how you can perform a basic self-assessment:

You have unexplained pain in your abdomen

• McBurney’s sign:  

Your pain follows a pattern we call McBurney’s sign, which is a common sign of appendicitis. It usually starts around your belly button and then moves diagonally down to the lower right side of your abdomen. There's a specific spot, about 1.5 to 2 inches from your belly button on the right side, called McBurney’s point. When you press there, you will feel sharp pain; it suggests that your appendix might be inflamed, and you may need to do further tests to confirm appendicitis under your doctor's guidance.

• Dumphy’s sign: 

Dumphy’s sign refers to an increase in pain when coughing. This is a common symptom of appendicitis, as the pressure from coughing can exacerbate the discomfort in the lower right abdomen. The worsening of pain with a cough is a helpful indicator for diagnosing appendicitis, along with other signs like localized abdominal tenderness.

Your pain isn't subsiding with time

Unlike other conditions that cause abdominal discomfort, such as gastroenteritis, the pain associated with appendicitis is typically steady and continuous, rather than coming in waves. Initially, it may feel like a dull ache, but it progressively intensifies as time passes. The pain doesn't subside, and instead, it becomes sharper and more localized, particularly in the lower right abdomen (McBurney’s Point). As the day goes on, this vague, persistent discomfort can evolve into more severe and acute pain. Unlike cramping pain from other conditions, appendicitis pain tends to worsen rather than fade.

You have a low-grade fever

In its most simple terms, mere elevated temperature on its own is not evidence of appendicitis but can be when present alongside other symptoms. Temperatures above the normal range may indicate that the body is responding to an illness or infection that is happening inside the body. As in appendicitis, for instance, if the appendix is blocked, then bacteria can breed in it and provide an ideal breeding ground for infections. This can cause fever as the body tries to fight the infection deep into the appendix with the aid of its immune system.

You don't feel like eating anything

When experiencing appendicitis, loss of appetite is a common symptom. As part of the digestive system, the inflamed appendix can make you feel nauseous, and the thought of eating can exacerbate the discomfort. This loss of appetite is often accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain and vomiting. People with appendicitis typically have no desire to eat because the body’s response to the infection in the appendix can create an overall feeling of sickness and discomfort.

Red Flags: When to Consult a Doctor

Appendicitis is a surgical emergency and requires prompt attention from a surgeon. If you experience symptoms such as severe abdominal pain (particularly on the lower right side), nausea, vomiting, and fever, it's crucial to seek medical help immediately. The condition can escalate rapidly, with the appendix potentially rupturing within 36 hours of the onset of symptoms. The most common tool to diagnose these conditions is an ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen.

Appendicitis is an ailment that is treated with surgery and not medications; however, IV  antibiotics may be administered to patients to prevent infections during surgery and after the operation has been conducted. Sometimes, particularly in the early stage of the ailment or less serious form, your family doctor may advise a watch and wait policy accompanied by antibiotics. However, the present guidelines have shown that the only curative treatment recommended is surgery, laparoscopic appendectomy in particular. If the appendix is left untreated, it can reinflame, rupture and form an abscess in your abdomen and appendicular mass, leading to even ICU admission. 

The primary treatment for appendicitis is only surgery, i.e., laparoscopic appendectomy and can be done with more advanced techniques, such as 3D laparoscopic surgery, only available at MASSH. This method of surgery is characterized by the use of small keyhole punctures and a 3D advanced laparoscopic system that helps the patient recover fast, and they are also least likely to develop any complications due to the short duration of surgery.

At Chirag Enclave, we focus on your wellbeing and offer the newest & most advanced minimally invasive technique for the quickest and safest healing. By using the technology of 3D laparoscopic appendectomy, patients at MASSH Hospital can be discharged within 24 hours without much pain. 

Disclaimer

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

Please seek the advice of our physician or surgeons with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.