Symptoms of appendicitis in adolescents vary, ranging from pain in the lower right abdomen, decreased appetite, to constipation or diarrhea. The appearance of appendicitis symptoms should not be left unchecked, because appendicitis that is treated too late can lead to serious complications.
Appendicitis is a disease that occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. This condition can occur at any age, from children, teenagers, to adults.
However, some research says that appendicitis is more common in children and adolescents aged around 10-20 years. Symptoms of appendicitis in adolescents can appear when the appendix becomes blocked due to feces, foreign objects, or infection.
Various Symptoms of Appendicitis in Adolescents
Initially, the symptoms of appendicitis in adolescents can be recognized by the sudden appearance of abdominal pain, especially around the navel. These symptoms may disappear instantly, then reappear within a few minutes.
In addition, there are several other signs that need to be suspected as symptoms of appendicitis in teenagers, including:
1. Lower right abdominal pain
Lower right abdominal pain is a typical symptom of appendicitis. This pain can appear within about a few hours after the appearance of abdominal pain around the navel.
The pain experienced usually gets worse when the patient moves, sneezes, coughs, takes deep breaths, or presses on his stomach.
2. Decreased appetite
Children and adolescents with appendicitis may also experience decreased appetite or not want to eat at all. These symptoms usually appear after complaints of lower right abdominal pain. Decreased appetite can risk causing children or adolescents to become dehydrated.
3. Nausea and vomiting
Not only abdominal pain and decreased appetite, teenagers who experience appendicitis often feel nausea and vomiting. The appearance of these symptoms indicates an intestinal obstruction due to inflammation in the appendix. Sometimes, appendicitis can also cause flatulence.
4. Fever
This is also one of the symptoms of appendicitis in teenagers that is important to watch out for. Fever occurs as a reaction of the immune system trying to fight the bacterial infection that causes appendicitis.
In addition to fever, appendicitis can cause sufferers to experience frequent constipation, urination, diarrhea, and look weak.
All of the above symptoms are actually still classified as mild appendicitis characteristics. Even so, that does not mean this condition is considered trivial.
Appendicitis is a disease that needs to be examined and treated by a doctor. Proper treatment plays an important role in preventing appendicitis from getting worse and causing complications, such as ruptured appendix, peritonitis, or sepsis.
Some cases of mild appendicitis can be treated without surgery or with antibiotics. However, if the appendicitis becomes more severe or has already caused complications, this condition must be treated with surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy).
Parents need to recognize and be aware of the symptoms of appendicitis in their children, including teenagers. If you or your child experience symptoms of appendicitis, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment.