Does the right lower abdominal pain indicate appendicitis?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am worried I might have appendicitis because I have been feeling bloating and discomfort, mainly in the lower right side of my abdomen. I first noticed it when I lay on my left side and felt a popping sensation in the right lower abdomen.

It has been about 12 hours since then. I still feel bloated with mild discomfort on the right side, but there is no severe pain and no nausea. The symptoms started suddenly while lying on my left side, beginning with that popping feeling, followed by ongoing discomfort in the same area.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query.

Based on your description, this does not strongly suggest appendicitis (a condition in which a small pouch inside your belly gets swollen and infected, causing pain on the lower right side and needing quick treatment) at this stage, which should help ease some of your worry.

In general, patients start feeling pain at the level of their belly button, and after that, it moves down to the right lower quadrant. Pain gets worse slowly over a period of time,12 to 24 hours, and becomes sharp and lasts for a long time. It is always accompanied by nausea, loss of appetite, or a low-grade fever. Pain increases when one walks, coughs or applies pressure on the affected site and releases immediately.

In your case, the symptoms were triggered by a pop in your abdomen while turning over to one side. This happens due to the movement of gas through your colon because the cecum, which is a part of your large intestine, is situated in the right lower abdomen. You have bloating and discomfort but not pain that gets worse gradually. In addition, there is no nausea, fever, or any deterioration over the last 12 hours.

These symptoms are more characteristic of gas trapping, intestinal spasms, or muscle strain.

For now, you can monitor your symptoms over the next 24 to 48 hours. Eat light meals and avoid heavy or fatty foods. Stay well hydrated, move gently, and avoid straining.

However, seek urgent medical care if you develop increasing sharp pain, fever, nausea or vomiting, pain that worsens with walking or jumping, or tenderness that becomes more severe when pressing and releasing the area.

At this point, your symptoms sound more functional than surgical, but close observation is important.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.