How to know if I have appendicitis or gas

The appendix is ​​part of the large intestine and is a small structure that many of us do not know, but this does not mean that it is there for no reason. The appendix is ​​located just at the beginning of the ascending colon (first part of the large intestine).

To better position yourself, you can imagine the abdomen divided into nine equal squares. Three above, three in the center and three below. The middle box is right where the navel is and is called the epigastrium.

The box that is lower and to the right of your body is called the right iliac fossa and this is where the appendix can be found most of the time.

Someone who is suffering from appendicitis usually starts with some symptoms of discomfort. Here are the most common appendicitis symptoms:

• Fever and chills
• Sickness.
• Vomiting
• Pain in the center of the abdomen (epigastrium).
• Changes in bowel movements: lack of elimination of gas, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation.
• Lack of appetite.
• Swelling of the belly

Some people may mistake this pain for stomach or other discomfort. That is why they ask themselves: “appendicitis or gas?”. When in doubt, it is important not to take any type of analgesic or antispasmodic in case of abdominal pain. Any medication can cause the symptoms to be hidden, in this way the arrival at the health center is delayed and the picture is already very advanced.

You may also be interested in Appendicitis Symptoms in Women and Appendicitis Symptoms in Children .

How to know if I have appendicitis

In addition to the symptoms of appendicitis above, with the passage of time the pain that is experienced tends to increase. This will change position, to be located in the right iliac fossa (in the lower area and to the right of the abdomen), just where the appendix is ​​located.

The pain becomes stronger and stronger , there are no longer positions to relieve pain and any pressure on the abdomen worsens the discomfort. You will also feel that it is worse when walking, coughing or making sudden movements.

The discomfort can also begin directly in the lower right part of the belly . In case of pregnancy, the pain can begin in the upper part of the abdomen.

Frame gravity

Appendicitis is a surgical emergency , therefore, the inflammation of the appendix requires its removal by surgery. Delaying appendectomy can lead to serious complications for the patient, such as:

• Intestinal perforation.
• Inflammation of the tissues that line the entire digestive system (peritonitis).
• Abdominal abscess.
• Severe generalized infection (sepsis).

These conditions can endanger your life. It is important that you see a doctor immediately.

Aerophagia is literally swallowing air, a fairly common condition when certain habits are adopted such as:

• Eating in a hurry.
• Eat and talk at the same time.
• Drink carbonated liquids.
• Smoke.
• Having poorly fitting dentures.
• Chew gum.

The aerofagia may present with abdominal pain , bloating that creates the need to remove the gas in the form of belching or flatulence.

On the other hand, many of the daily habits are those that increase the amount of gas in the belly:

• Frequent consumption of processed , meat, dairy, refined (flour, sugar, salt): these generate toxins and the increase of bacteria that should not be in the intestine. This reduces the flora itself and causes all kinds of health disorders to appear. Numerous scientific studies link this alteration with chronic diseases such as diabetes , arthritis or cancer.
• Eating fruit at inappropriate times : Fruit or sweets after meals are a bad habit. They generate fermentation within the intestines, which favors bloating and gas. You must wait about 3 hours or eat them half an hour before the meal.
• Bad food combination : some foods and some fruits with each other also ferment. To make sure you make the right combinations, you can look up a food combination chart, or eat one fruit at a time.
• Inadequate cooking of some foods : instead of eliminating healthy products, it is better to know how to cook them properly. This is the case of legumes, cabbages, peas, onions.

Improving these habits will immediately translate into your digestive and health status. It is essential that your digestive system is well so that the rest of the body is as well.

There are drugs designed to reduce the amount of gas, but you should avoid them. Covering up the symptoms will not help you figure out what is happening. On the other hand, if you listen to your body you will not only improve your health but you will avoid other problems in the future.

There are some techniques to facilitate the elimination of gases from the body in an easy way and thus make sure that this is your problem and not appendicitis.

• Exercise : if you do not usually move a lot, you promote poor intestinal function. One of the solutions is to walk and make movements with your body to facilitate your digestion. If there are gases, you will eliminate them. If you cannot do it because of the pain, it is better to go to a health center.
• Try some yoga poses – some are specifically designed to aid digestion and the elimination of gas. A very common one is to lie on your back to the bed, bring your knees up to your chest and hold that position for a minute, with a calm breath.

Through body movements and postures, you will make it easier for your body to expel the accumulated gases that are causing abdominal pain.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to know if I have appendicitis or gas , we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .