Symptoms of Ruptured Appendix

A ruptured appendix is usually a result of appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix. If it is not detected in time and treated, appendicitis leads to a ruptured appendix. Appendicitis can cause a ruptured appendix in as little as two to three days. There are a variety of symptoms that are tell-tale signs of a ruptured appendix. Abdominal pain is the first and foremost symptom. A ruptured appendix usually starts with a shooting pain that starts at the navel and gradually moves on to the lower right abdomen where the appendix is located. In most cases, the pain starts off mild and becomes increasingly sharper and severe over time. However in some cases, the pain may sometimes also spread to other parts of your stomach, hence appendicitis cannot be ruled out based on just the location of the pain. With a ruptured appendix, the pain is typical in nature and becomes even more acute when one moves or coughs. Another way to tell is to lie down on your side and pull your knees up to your chest. In the case of a ruptured appendix, the pain will ease a bit as soon as you do this.

Stomach ache is not the only symptom of a ruptured appendix. Other symptoms include a feeling of nausea and occasional bouts of vomiting. There will also be a loss of appetite. Your abdominal area will swell and will be tender to the touch when you apply pressure on it using your fingertips. And when you release the pressure, you will experience an increase in pain. Constipation is another usual symptom. So is diarrhea. These symptoms may vary from person to person. One may also experience back pain and what is known as ‘tenesmus’. This is essentially a constant nagging feeling that a bowel movement will relieve the discomfort. If the patient is a child, extra precaution needs to be taken as they may not exhibit these classic symptoms of a ruptured appendix. With some children, a ruptured appendix is accompanied by only stomach pain and no other symptoms. Hence it is best to consult medical advice if your child complains of a severe abdominal pain.

Another thing to watch out for is the lessening of the pain when the actual rupturing takes place. This relief however, will be short-lived and will soon start to intensify once the lining of the abdominal cavity becomes infected. The pain increases with any physical activity. Some people also experience body chills and mild fevers.