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Understanding Appendix Problems

Your appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine, located on the lower right side of your abdomen. Most of the time, we barely notice it’s there. However, if the appendix becomes blocked and inflamed, it can cause a painful and potentially life-threatening condition called appendicitis. This often needs urgent medical treatment.

Your appendix is a tiny tube-shaped pouch that sits quietly on the lower right side of your tummy. It is attached to the large intestine. Most of the time, it does nothing noticeable and causes no trouble. However, if it becomes blocked and infected, it can turn into a painful emergency called appendicitis. This condition needs quick treatment to prevent serious problems.

The following explain what causes appendix problems, what symptoms to look out for, and what treatment and prevention options are available.

What Is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes inflamed and swollen, usually because something has blocked it. Once blocked, germs multiply inside and the appendix fills with pus. Without treatment, the swollen appendix can burst — spreading infection inside the tummy. That is why appendicitis is treated as a medical emergency.

Think of the appendix like a tiny balloon: if the pressure keeps building, eventually it can pop.

Why Does Appendicitis Happen?

The exact cause is not always known, but it usually begins with some sort of blockage:

  • A small piece of hard stool getting stuck
  • Swelling of tissue (lymph tissue) after a cold or viral infection
  • A parasite or foreign object blocking the opening
  • Inflammation or thickening of the bowel

Once blocked, bacteria become trapped, turning the appendix into a pocket of pressure and pain.

What Symptoms Should I Look For?

Appendicitis often starts with symptoms that seem mild and easy to ignore — but they usually get worse.

Early Warning Signs

  • A dull ache around your belly button
  • Pain that moves to the lower right side
  • Feeling sick (nausea) or actually being sick (vomiting)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low fever or feeling generally unwell
  • Bloating, constipation, or sometimes diarrhoea

The pain often becomes sharper and more intense over several hours and can make walking

Emergency Symptoms – Get Help Quickly

Go to A&E or call 999 if you notice:

⚠️ Sudden, severe pain in the lower right side of your tummy
⚠️ Pain that gets worse when you move, cough, or breathe deeply
⚠️ High fever with chills
⚠️ Repeated vomiting
⚠️ A swollen, hard, or extremely tender tummy
⚠️ Pain that becomes unbearable or rapidly worsens

These can be signs that the appendix is close to bursting or has already ruptured — this situation is very dangerous and needs urgent treatment.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Appendicitis?

To find out what’s wrong, doctors may:

  • Gently press your tummy to find the painful or tender spot
  • Take blood or urine tests to look for infection
  • Use an ultrasound or CT scan to see inflammation clearly

Diagnosis can sometimes be tricky because symptoms can resemble other problems, such as kidney stones or stomach bugs — but doctors are very experienced at identifying appendicitis.

Can Appendicitis Be Prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to stop appendicitis, but you can support bowel health and reduce risks by:

🥗 Eating more fibre
Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains help keep stools soft and moving smoothly.

💧 Drinking plenty of water
Hydration helps prevent constipation, one of the risk factors for blockage.

🚶‍♀️ Staying active
Daily movement helps digestion and reduces pressure in the bowels.

💩 Going to the toilet when you need to
Delaying can make stools harder and increase pressure inside the bowel.

Even with these habits, appendicitis can still occur unexpectedly — so knowing the symptoms is key.

How Is Appendicitis Treated?

Surgery – The Most Common Treatment

The safest and most reliable cure is removing the appendix. This prevents it from bursting or becoming infected again.

Most surgeries are done using keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques:

✔ Tiny cuts and minimal scarring
✔ Faster healing and less pain
✔ Many patients go home within 1–2 days

If the appendix has burst, surgery may need to be more extensive and you’ll likely receive antibiotics and a longer hospital stay.

Antibiotics

Sometimes antibiotics are given first, especially if the symptoms are mild. However, most people still benefit from surgery later because appendicitis often returns.

When Should I Contact My GP?

Get medical advice if:

  • Your tummy pain keeps getting worse
  • The pain moves to the lower right side
  • You have pain plus fever, vomiting, or loss of appetite

Do not ignore symptoms.

Appendicitis rarely improves on its own, so don’t wait and hope it goes away.

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