The characteristics of mild appendicitis are varied, and one of the most characteristic is the appearance of pain in the lower right abdomen. These symptoms usually appear early in appendicitis. Some mild appendicitis can heal on its own, but the disease will often get worse if not treated properly.
Appendicitis is a disease that occurs when the appendix or appendix becomes inflamed. In medical terms, this disease is called appendicitis. Mild appendicitis is usually experienced in people who are first exposed to appendicitis. Appendicitis, whether mild or severe, can be experienced by children, adolescents, and adults.
Although still relatively mild, it does not mean this condition is considered trivial. It is important for you to recognize what are the symptoms and signs of mild appendicitis. If you experience it, you still need to be examined and treated by a doctor.
This is important to prevent appendicitis from progressing to severe and causing more serious complications, such as ruptured appendix and peritonitis.
Features of mild appendicitis
The characteristics of mild appendicitis are initially characterized by sudden pain around the navel. These symptoms may disappear instantly, then reappear within a few minutes. After that, there are several other characteristics of mild appendicitis that arise, including:
1. Lower right abdominal pain
After a few hours, the pain that had been around the navel will move to the lower right abdomen. This is the most characteristic symptom of appendicitis. Usually this pain will get worse when you take a deep breath, move, sneeze, cough, or when you press your stomach.
2. Decreased appetite
Decreased or lost appetite is also one of the characteristics of mild appendicitis. These symptoms usually occur after the appearance of lower right abdominal pain.
3. Nausea and vomiting
When experiencing appendicitis, either mild or severe, a person can also experience nausea and vomiting. The characteristics of mild appendicitis usually appear after complaints of abdominal pain and decreased appetite. Symptoms of nausea and vomiting can occur due to intestinal obstruction or obstruction due to inflammation in the appendix.
4. Constipation or diarrhea
Not only nausea and vomiting, some people who experience appendicitis will also often experience constipation or diarrhea. Not only that, other signs of mild appendicitis that can interfere are difficulty passing gas and feeling bloated in the stomach.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, another symptom of mild appendicitis to watch out for is fever. This condition occurs because the immune system tries to fight the bacterial infection that causes appendicitis.
Some cases of mild appendicitis can heal on their own without treatment or only with the use of antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor without surgery. However, this disease can also often progress to become more severe.
Therefore, you need to be aware of the symptoms of appendicitis and immediately consult a doctor when you experience it.
Appendicitis Symptoms to Watch Out for
As previously explained, most cases of mild appendicitis that are not treated properly can progress to more severe cases. This risks causing serious complications such as ruptured appendix, peritonitis, or sepsis.
Rupture of the appendix can occur in about 2–3 days from the onset of the initial symptoms or signs of mild appendicitis. Ruptured appendix can cause some severe symptoms to watch out for, including:
- High fever and chills
- Weakness and confusion
- The pain is very severe and spreads all over the abdomen
- The stomach looks swollen and feels hard and painful when pressed
- Hard to breathe
- A cold sweat
- Heart beat
Generally, appendicitis needs to be treated with surgery, especially in cases of appendicitis that are already severe or have caused complications. However, in some cases of mild appendicitis, treatment without surgery or with antibiotics may still be considered.
Whatever the severity, appendicitis is a condition to watch out for. If you experience symptoms or signs of mild appendicitis, you should still consult a doctor to get the right treatment. This is important to prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications of appendicitis.