What Are the Symptoms of an Infected Appendix?
An infected appendix, aka appendicitis, is a potentially serious medical condition that, while fairly common, nevertheless requires prompt medical treatment to prevent the appendix from rupturing, which can be fatal. Recognizing the symptoms of appendicitis is key to initiating prompt treatment. What follows is an overview of the most common symptoms of appendicitis.
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Abdominal Pain
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The most common symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain. Typically, the pain centers over the lower right quadrant of the abdominal area, usually centering over the area of the appendix but occasionally traveling down into the groin area. The pain can be dull and more generalized in nature, especially in early-onset appendicitis cases, or sharp and piercing, the latter being typical pain patterns of more advanced cases of appendicitis.
Nausea
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Appendicitis typically causes moderate to severe episodes of nausea. In early cases of appendicitis, nausea can be fleeting, appearing gradually and increasing in severity over several hours. As appendicitis worsens, nausea typically becomes more apparent and usually increases in severity. Severe nausea is most often times associated with severe appendicitis, and in some cases, rupture of the appendix.
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Vomiting
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Along with nausea, vomiting is a common symptom of appendicitis. The irritation caused by the infected appendix often causes significant gastrointestinal irritation and disruption, which can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Vomiting tends to occur as nausea escalates and becomes more severe. Generally, vomiting occurs more frequently in advanced cases of appendicitis.
Fever
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In many cases of appendicitis, fever, typically mild but in some cases more severe, is a presenting symptom. Fever is a typical result of the body mobilizing its immune system to deal with the infected appendix. Generally, fever appears soon after the initial physical symptoms of appendicitis present and typically increases in severity as appendicitis progresses.
Diarrhea
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Diarrhea can be, and often is, a symptom of appendicitis, especially severe cases of appendicitis producing extensive inflammation and infection of the appendix. It is common for appendicitis to cause significant gastrointestinal disruption, which can cause, among other things, diarrhea and excessive gas. Diarrhea typically occurs after the more obvious appendicitis symptoms of abdominal pain and tenderness present.
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