Appendicitis is caused due to the inflammation of the appendix. The appendix gets inflamed when it is clogged with mucus, fecal matter, parasites, or bacteria. Although the appendix does not perform any important function in the body, its presence in the gastrointestinal tract is considered essential for the health of the immune system. Some experts consider the appendix important to fend off infections. When the appendix gets blocked and there is no immediate treatment, there might be an appendix rupture followed by an infection.

The infection due to a burst appendix may lead to a life-threatening condition. This makes it essential to diagnose appendicitis as soon as possible. An identification of early appendicitis symptoms can be useful for a timely diagnosis. Here are a few early appendicitis symptoms:

• Mild abdomen pain: This is one of the most common early appendicitis symptoms. There will be a dull ache in the lower right area of the abdomen. The pain will usually start from the belly button. The dull ache turns into severe pain within a couple of hours. The pain is debilitating and intensifies pretty quickly.
• Painful body movement: As the appendicitis pain becomes severe, it will become difficult to perform daily activities. There will be a sharp pain on the right side while walking, turning the torso, sneezing, coughing, and while performing other such movements. After a couple of days, the pain will spread to the legs.
• Tenderness around the abdominal area: In some instances, there might not be an intense abdominal pain to indicate early appendicitis symptoms. In such cases, a person might have “rebound tenderness.” One of the early appendicitis symptoms, rebound tenderness is experienced before any of the other symptoms are observed. You can check for rebound tenderness by firmly pressing the lower right side of the abdomen. On taking the pressure off, there will be stabbing sensation followed by a dull ache.
• Discomfort following bowel movements: One of the early appendicitis symptoms is tenesmus. There is an uncomfortable feeling to pass stools despite going once. There might be a pain, straining, and cramping along with nausea and bloating. Tenesmus may become intense, and there might be vomiting as well.
• Pain while urinating: This symptom is not commonly associated with appendicitis. However, it has been observed that a lot of people who have appendicitis experience this symptom in the early days. The inflammation of appendicitis causes the abdomen to swell. This puts pressure on the area around the appendix and makes it painful while passing urine.

Appendicitis is usually caused due to an obstruction or blockage of the appendix. This infects the appendix and causes inflammation, which results in painful appendicitis symptoms. A part of the gastrointestinal tract, the appendix is located on the lower right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the large intestine and is shaped like a tube or a pouch.

Similar to the tailbone and body hair, the appendix is a vestigial organ. It does not have any crucial function. However, if the appendix is filled with parasites, mucus, or fecal matter, it leads to appendicitis. The blockage causes rapid multiplication of bacteria in the appendicitis, and it becomes swollen and irritated. It is necessary to receive medical attention as soon as the early appendicitis symptoms manifest. If treatment is delayed, the appendicitis may rupture, and harmful bacteria might be released to the abdomen causing serious infection. This condition is also known as peritonitis.

Here are a few early appendicitis symptoms that might help in a quick diagnosis:

• Pain in the belly button: The very first sign of appendicitis is a persistent discomfort near the belly button. This discomfort then progresses towards the lower abdomen, on the right side. In some cases, the pain may not be restricted only to the lower abdomen but is experienced in the different parts of the abdominal region. The pain can aggravate due to sudden movements of the abdomen or legs, during coughing or sneezing, and even during a bumpy ride.
• Fevers and chills: Often the early appendicitis symptoms are similar to those of stomach bugs infection. A person may experience shaking, chills, or low-grade fever. A fever of 100 degrees is nothing much to worry about. However, a severe abdominal pain with a fever of 103 degrees is a cause for concern.
• Nausea and appetite loss: One of the early appendicitis symptoms include a loss of appetite with vomiting and mild nausea. It is necessary to consult a doctor if these symptoms are followed by abdominal pain and fever. However, if the symptoms of nausea and appetite loss go away in a couple of days, there is no need to worry.
• Bloating and gas: It is quite normal to experience bloating and gas once in a while, especially if you had greasy food. However, if the bloating and indigestion is followed by extreme abdominal pain, it might be one of the early appendicitis symptoms. There might be a lot of gas, bowel pain, and some difficulty in passing gas.
• Diarrhea and constipation: These early appendicitis symptoms often follow abdominal pain. You may experience a mild form of diarrhea or constipation. If the appendix is blocked with mucus, it is highly likely there might be diarrhea.