Appendicitis affects patients of all ages and can be severe if left untreated. Learning the symptoms and causes can help you recognize it if you’re experiencing it. By understanding the treatments, like abdominal surgery, you will know what to expect in terms of recovery. Below is a guide to everything you should know about appendicitis.

What You Need to Know About Appendicitis

The Causes

Appendicitis is the inflammation or infection of your appendix. While it can be caused by a variety of factors, sometimes the cause is unclear. Most often, a blockage of the appendix is to blame.

Swelling and inflammation caused by an infection in your gastrointestinal system or inflammatory bowel disease are also known causes. A severe injury or trauma to your abdomen can also affect the appendix, as can feces, parasites, or abnormal growths that clog the appendix opening.

The Symptoms

Symptoms of appendicitis can vary from person to person. It can be hard to identify in young and old patients, as well as in women of childbearing age, without a physician.

Pain around the belly button and the lower right half of the abdomen are often the first signs. This discomfort can start out as a dull pain before turning into a sharp or severe one. Other symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, hard stools or diarrhea, and pain that worsens when coughing or moving.

The Treatment

The most common and effective treatment for appendicitis is abdominal surgery. Some patients may be treated first with a round of antibiotics. However, since appendicitis is considered an emergency, surgery is usually recommended.

The surgical procedure can be done laparoscopically, where the appendix is removed through extremely small incisions. Open surgery can also be used to remove the organ through a slightly larger incision in the abdomen.

The surgery will eliminate the pain and discomfort you experience, and you’ll never have to experience the health issue again. Abdominal surgery is the most effective treatment for the condition and prevents the infection from spreading or the appendix from bursting unexpectedly.

If you need abdominal surgery from an experienced surgeon, trust the professionals at the Ozark Surgical Group in Mountain Home, AR. Their board-certified team offers a variety of services, including wound care and women’s wellness exams. They also perform general and advanced surgeries and laparoscopies, such as vascular, colorectal, and breast surgery. Learn more about their surgeons and services online. Call (870) 425-9120 to schedule an appointment.