Know the Signs of Appendicitis Before It Strikes

An estimated 5-9% of Americans develop appendicitis at some point in life. If you’re not sure what appendicitis is or how to recognize it, you may be at increased risk for potentially serious health consequences.

At Sierra Pacific Surgical, our world-class surgeons specialize in appendectomy procedures to prevent life-threatening complications of appendicitis. They use the latest laparoscopic techniques during surgery to minimize your risk for infection, bleeding, and significant scarring.

We also provide educational resources to help you understand what causes appendicitis and how to spot the symptoms early.

The basics of appendicitis

Appendicitis describes inflammation in the appendix, a tube-shaped pouch located in your large intestine.

When feces travels through your intestines, it can cause a blockage that triggers appendix inflammation. An underlying infection can also contribute to appendicitis. While the exact function of your appendix isn’t well understood, inflammation can cause it to burst.

A burst or ruptured appendix is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgical care. Otherwise, bacteria from inside your large intestine can seep into your bloodstream and cause sepsis, a potentially fatal blood infection.

Appendicitis is most common in males 10-30 years old, but people of all ages can experience the condition.

Early signs of appendicitis

A hallmark symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain. Pain typically starts around your navel and may come and go for a few hours before it gets more intense.

As pain levels increase, you may feel nauseous or start vomiting. These symptoms can persist for a few hours until they ultimately stop. You might also experience:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal swelling
• Urgent need to urinate

Ultimately, pain moves into the lower-right part of your abdomen where the appendix is. The pain can become unbearable, especially if your appendix bursts.

If you have unexplained abdominal pain or other symptoms of appendicitis, don’t put off a diagnostic evaluation. When abdominal pain is sudden or intense, go directly to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment.

Why surgery is needed for appendicitis

An appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix. Surgery is typically the safest, most effective treatment for appendicitis unless there are reasons that you don’t qualify for surgery.

If your appendix hasn’t ruptured, our surgeons can remove it laparoscopically through very small incisions. Specialized instruments have an attached camera that allows our team a close-up view of your appendix throughout the procedure to prevent damage to surrounding tissue.

If your appendix has burst, we can remove the appendix laparoscopically, or our team may need to use open surgery techniques, which require longer, deeper incisions. Our surgeons also clean out the abdominal cavity with a sterile solution to prevent the spread of infection.

Open surgery generally requires a few days’ stay in the hospital for observation, followed by additional recovery time at home. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive, and you can expect to go home to recover within a few hours of your procedure.

Call Sierra Pacific Surgical in Grass Valley, Sacramento, Folsom, or Roseville, California, today to discuss your treatment options for appendicitis. You can also use our online feature to request an appointment.