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Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5 to 10cm (2 to 4 inches) long. It's connected to the large intestine, where poo forms.

Nobody knows exactly what the appendix does, but removing it is not harmful.

Symptoms of appendicitis

Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go.

Within hours, the pain travels to the lower right-hand side, where the appendix usually lies, and becomes constant and severe.

Pressing on this area, coughing or walking may make the pain worse.

You may lose your appetite, feel sick and have constipation or diarrhoea.

When to get medical help

If you have abdominal pain that's gradually getting worse, contact a GP or your local out-of-hours service immediately.

If these options are not available, call NHS 111 for advice.

Call 999 to ask for an ambulance if you have pain that suddenly gets worse and spreads across your abdomen, or if your pain temporarily improves before getting worse again.

If your pain eases for a while but then gets worse, your appendix may have burst, which can lead to life-threatening complications.

Read more about diagnosing appendicitis and complications of appendicitis.

How appendicitis is treated

If you have appendicitis, it's likely your appendix will need to be removed as soon as possible.

Removal of the appendix, known as an appendicectomy or appendectomy, is 1 of the most common operations in the UK and its success rate is excellent.

It's most commonly carried out as keyhole surgery (laparoscopy).

Several small cuts are made in the abdomen, allowing special surgical instruments to be inserted.

Open surgery, where a larger, single cut is made in the abdomen, is usually used if the appendix has burst or access is more difficult.

It usually takes a couple of weeks to make a full recovery after your appendix has been removed.

But strenuous activities may need to be avoided for up to 6 weeks after having open surgery.

What causes appendicitis?

It's not clear what causes appendicitis. In many cases it may be that something blocks the entrance of the appendix.

For example, it could become blocked by a small piece of poo, or an upper respiratory tract infection could cause the lymph node within the wall of the bowel to become swollen.

If the obstruction causes inflammation and swelling, it could lead to increased pressure within the appendix, which may then burst.

As the causes of appendicitis are not fully understood, there's no guaranteed way of preventing it.

Who's affected

Appendicitis is a common condition. In England, around 50,000 people are admitted to hospital with appendicitis each year.

You can get appendicitis at any age, but it usually affects young people aged between 10 and 20 years.

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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415 public posts

I'm having a bad day

My side has been hurting and I'm afraid I have appendicitis and I'll have to have surgery. I think I'm making myself feel sick but I don't know. I am a mess.. 😭😭😭
My side has been hurting and I'm afraid I have appendicitis and I'll have to have surgery. I think I'm making myself feel sick but I don't know. I am a mess.. 😭😭😭
LeoAnon
in Anxiety and Depression Support

Blood test

Hi Was in hospital in October with suspected appendicitis (appendix fine) and had a blood test done. Nothing showed up.
Hi Was in hospital in October with suspected appendicitis (appendix fine) and had a blood test done. Nothing showed up.
Secret4706
in Thyroid UK

Head fuzz

I really want children and am a single 31 Yr old worrying about time running out for me.Think I am still processing everything after rushing into A&E for what I thought was appendicitis.
I really want children and am a single 31 Yr old worrying about time running out for me.Think I am still processing everything after rushing into A&E for what I thought was appendicitis.
Lizzieow
in Endometriosis UK
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13 days post lap fainted

Was admitted to hospital and it was suspected appendicitis but bloods not showing it. Sickness now stopped, whole stomach hurting from sickness. Has this happened to anyone else nearly 2 weeks post lap? Hopefully going home today.
Was admitted to hospital and it was suspected appendicitis but bloods not showing it. Sickness now stopped, whole stomach hurting from sickness. Has this happened to anyone else nearly 2 weeks post lap? Hopefully going home today.
EndoJaz
in Endometriosis UK

Ovulation feels like appendicitis and/or kidney pain

I’ve started ovulating about 2 days ago, I’m suspecting my right side as I have the most severe pain in that area but it’s so severe I’m worried about appendicitis (I know drama Queen ... sorry) but pain is going further up and mimicking kidney pain (also radiating round to the back).
I’ve started ovulating about 2 days ago, I’m suspecting my right side as I have the most severe pain in that area but it’s so severe I’m worried about appendicitis (I know drama Queen ... sorry) but pain is going further up and mimicking kidney pain (also radiating round to the back).
Fidoanddaisy
in Endometriosis UK

Appendix? Endo? I don’t know

Has anyone ever had appendicitis ?
Has anyone ever had appendicitis ?
Adeno2020
in Women with Endometriosis

Suspected Endometriosis is all this pain normal?

They thought I had appendicitis and then a kidney infection. I went to the hospital as I had a high temp and they said they can’t find anything wrong. I had an ultrasound and I have cysts on my ovaries.
They thought I had appendicitis and then a kidney infection. I went to the hospital as I had a high temp and they said they can’t find anything wrong. I had an ultrasound and I have cysts on my ovaries.
Jasmineleah
in Endometriosis UK

Ruptured Cyst and Bloating

However, now 3 months on the folic acid with very little improvement with my fatigue I was rushed into A&E with suspected appendicitis.
However, now 3 months on the folic acid with very little improvement with my fatigue I was rushed into A&E with suspected appendicitis.
Sofiac1991
in Ask Eve

Possible endo?

Have been experiencing really bad abdominal pains and was recently hospitalised with potential appendicitis. Scan came back fine but showed thicken endometrium so have been told to go back for another scan in few weeks.
Have been experiencing really bad abdominal pains and was recently hospitalised with potential appendicitis. Scan came back fine but showed thicken endometrium so have been told to go back for another scan in few weeks.
Secret4706
in Endometriosis UK

Could this be ovulation pain?

Went to the GP today ad I got a bit worried about appendicitis etc. She ruled that out but today the pain is still there but not as bad and it comes and goes maybe once every few hours or so. Also noticed I'm ovulating today.
Went to the GP today ad I got a bit worried about appendicitis etc. She ruled that out but today the pain is still there but not as bad and it comes and goes maybe once every few hours or so. Also noticed I'm ovulating today.
MrsBarker
in Pain Concern

Endo symptoms?

I was diagnosed with endo when I had symptoms, high white blood count, abdomen pain but the hospital thought it was appendicitis. The appendix was removed but looked normal, a biopsy revealed endo tissue. That was 22 years ago and conveniently occured whilst on holiday in the USA.
I was diagnosed with endo when I had symptoms, high white blood count, abdomen pain but the hospital thought it was appendicitis. The appendix was removed but looked normal, a biopsy revealed endo tissue. That was 22 years ago and conveniently occured whilst on holiday in the USA.
IloveTee
in Endometriosis UK

6weeks 2days positive, in hospital for an appendectomy

Hi all, wanted to know if here is anyone who may have experienced appendicitis during the first trimester, did you have surgery and manage to carry to term?
Hi all, wanted to know if here is anyone who may have experienced appendicitis during the first trimester, did you have surgery and manage to carry to term?
MoMos_mom
in NCT

Low Right hand side Abdominal discomfort

I have had all the blood tests etc and on one occasion visited A and E with suspected Appendicitis. My doctor has repeatedly diagnose IBS as the problem although it is a very localised pain. It almost feels like something is twisted?? Has anyone else had similar.
I have had all the blood tests etc and on one occasion visited A and E with suspected Appendicitis. My doctor has repeatedly diagnose IBS as the problem although it is a very localised pain. It almost feels like something is twisted?? Has anyone else had similar.
ang192
in IBS Network

Adhesions with not active Endometriosis

I have had three C-Sections, one being emergency and a burst appendicitis. I have had 6 Laparoscopies. Every operation they have said they have had to cut through alot of scar tissue(adhesions).
I have had three C-Sections, one being emergency and a burst appendicitis. I have had 6 Laparoscopies. Every operation they have said they have had to cut through alot of scar tissue(adhesions).
fbturner80
in Endometriosis UK

Ibs anxiety? Something worse?

Was hospitalised this week with abdominal pain thinking it was appendicitis scan showed all okay bar thickened endometrium which needs follow up scan. Wasn't told if was related to the pain. Was given codeine but makes me constipated.
Was hospitalised this week with abdominal pain thinking it was appendicitis scan showed all okay bar thickened endometrium which needs follow up scan. Wasn't told if was related to the pain. Was given codeine but makes me constipated.
Secret4706
in IBS Network

Patients are scared to go to hospitals.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/patients-with-heart-attacks-strokes-and-even-appendicitis-vanish-from-hospitals/2020/04/19/9ca3ef24-7eb4-11ea-9040-68981f488eed_story.html https://a.msn.com/r/2/BB12SZBY?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/patients-with-heart-attacks-strokes-and-even-appendicitis-vanish-from-hospitals/2020/04/19/9ca3ef24-7eb4-11ea-9040-68981f488eed_story.html https://a.msn.com/r/2/BB12SZBY?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
pdpatient
in Parkinson's Movement

Collapsed lung

I had a collapsed lung just after Christmas after an emergency operation for appendicitis. My problem is that it still hurts to take deep breaths. Any ideas why?
I had a collapsed lung just after Christmas after an emergency operation for appendicitis. My problem is that it still hurts to take deep breaths. Any ideas why?
JohnMina74
in British Lung Foundation

Another query?

Checked out for suspected appendicitis, for bladder, ureter and even kidney infections at various times, but nothing to really explain the constant (variable) pain.
Checked out for suspected appendicitis, for bladder, ureter and even kidney infections at various times, but nothing to really explain the constant (variable) pain.
ShelWhitt
in Fibromyalgia Action UK

Disimpaction advice

It's only because I took him to A &E because he had symptoms of appendicitis that we have got the disimpaction regime, our gp was just going to give lactose.
It's only because I took him to A &E because he had symptoms of appendicitis that we have got the disimpaction regime, our gp was just going to give lactose.
pegasus3
in ERIC

Is it my spleen?

I was in A&E thinking is it appendicitis (my age is above the usual range for this, 47), I was told all is well, nothing to worry about. But I have this pain (3rd day today) which I can not walk long and I cant breathe because it hurts every time I take a breath.
I was in A&E thinking is it appendicitis (my age is above the usual range for this, 47), I was told all is well, nothing to worry about. But I have this pain (3rd day today) which I can not walk long and I cant breathe because it hurts every time I take a breath.
LalSD
in LUPUS UK
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