Appendicitis pain: what it’s like, how many days it lasts and what to do

The pain of appendicitis is normally located on the right side of the abdomen and/or around the navel, starting suddenly, within 24 hours of the onset of inflammation in the appendix, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite or fever, for example.

The appendix is ​​a part of the large intestine, located on the lower right side of the abdomen, and has a shape similar to the finger of a glove. Any obstruction in the appendix, such as accumulation of feces inside it, swelling of the lymph nodes in the intestine close to the appendix, or the presence of worms, can encourage the growth of bacteria, leading to inflammation of the appendix.

It is important to seek medical help at the first symptoms of appendicitis, to avoid complications, such as rupture of the appendix and infection in the abdominal cavity. Know how to identify all the symptoms of appendicitis.

What does appendicitis pain feel like?

The pain of appendicitis appears suddenly and sharply, appearing milder or weaker at first, but may become more intense, strong and constant, and worsens when coughing, sneezing or walking.

Although it is normally located on the lower right side of the belly, the pain of appendicitis can also start around the navel, or it can affect the entire belly area, in which case it generally occurs when the appendix ruptures.

Where is the pain of appendicitis

The pain of appendicitis is initially concentrated in the central region of the abdomen, and can be described as diffuse pain around the navel, for example, but after a few hours, the pain begins to be perceived in a more defined location.

Although pain on the right side and below is characteristic of appendicitis, this pain can also occur in other situations, such as Crohn’s disease, intestinal inflammation, right ovarian cyst or inguinal hernia. Check out other causes of pain on the right side of the abdomen.

Pain in the lower left side

Pain on the left side of the abdomen and below is rare in appendicitis, however this pain may indicate pancreatitis, inflammation of the intestine, excess gas, inguinal hernia or cyst on the left ovary, in the case of women. Discover the most common causes of back and abdominal pain.

How many days does appendicitis pain last?

The pain of appendicitis begins within 24 hours of the onset of inflammation in the appendix, and may worsen when the appendix ruptures, which may occur within 48 to 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.

The pain of appendicitis does not go away until surgery is performed to remove the inflamed appendix. Therefore, you should seek medical help immediately or the nearest emergency room when symptoms of appendicitis appear, so that surgery can be performed and avoid complications from rupture of the appendix, such as infection in the abdominal cavity, which is a serious situation that can put life at risk. Find out how surgery for appendicitis is performed and what recovery is like.

What to do

When pain on the right side and in the lower part of the abdomen is constant and accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, loss of appetite and nausea, for example, it is important to go to the doctor so that a diagnosis can be made and treatment determined.

The diagnosis of appendicitis is made through a clinical examination, in which the doctor evaluates the symptoms described by the patient and palpates the abdomen, in addition to laboratory and imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, which allows the appendix and signs to be visualized. of inflammation. See how to identify appendicitis.

If the diagnosis of appendicitis is confirmed, the treatment option is surgical removal, called appendectomy, which should preferably be carried out within the first 24 hours after diagnosis.