Apendiks (appendicitis) is swelling and infection of the appendix, a small pouch joined to the bowel on the lower right side of the tummy, and it needs urgent treatment in hospital. Pain usually starts around the belly button and, over a few hours, moves to the lower right side and gets worse, especially when you move or cough. Other signs include nausea, loss of appetite and a fever. If it is not treated quickly, the appendix can burst, which is dangerous. Treatment is usually keyhole surgery to remove the appendix, and most people recover in 1 to 2 weeks. Get urgent medical help for tummy pain that keeps getting worse or moves to the lower right side.
What is apendiks (appendicitis)?
The appendix is a small pouch joined to your bowel in the lower right side of your abdomen (tummy). According to the NHS, appendicitis is swelling and infection in your appendix. In Malaysia, people often simply call it apendiks or "appendix".
- It usually causes pain in the lower right side of the abdomen.
- It needs urgent treatment in hospital.
- It is common and can happen at any age, but it is most common in children over 10 and young adults, and rare in babies under 12 months.
Tanda apendiks: what are the symptoms?
According to the NHS, symptoms of appendicitis usually start with:
- pain in the middle of the tummy, around the belly button;
- after a few hours, the pain usually moves to the lower right side and gets worse;
- the pain may feel worse when you move, cough or press on the area, and slightly better when you pull your knees up to your chest.
Other symptoms can include:
- feeling or being sick, or loss of appetite;
- a high temperature (see our guide to demam);
- constipation or diarrhoea;
- peeing more than usual;
- sudden confusion in older people.
Appendix belah mana: where does it hurt?
Because the appendix sits in the lower right part of the abdomen, that is where appendicitis pain usually ends up. But not everyone has the typical pattern. According to the NHS, some people have pain that is less severe, develops more slowly, or is in a different place. This is more likely if you are pregnant, and in young children and older people. So pain that is not on the right side does not rule out appendicitis.
When is appendix pain an emergency?
Get urgent medical advice (an urgent doctor's appointment, or a hospital emergency department if you cannot be seen quickly) if you or your child have tummy pain that:
- is gradually getting worse or does not go away;
- moves to the lower right side of the abdomen.
Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you or your child have:
- severe pain in the abdomen;
- confusion, blotchy or paler than usual skin, or difficulty breathing, which could be signs of sepsis.
Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you or call an ambulance.
Is it appendicitis or something else?
Many other conditions can cause tummy pain. According to the NHS, these include:
| Condition | See our guide |
|---|---|
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | UTI symptoms |
| Kidney stones or gallstones | batu karang |
| Bowel problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease | See a doctor |
| Womb or ovary problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or a ruptured ovarian cyst | cyst ovari |
| Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb) | tanda-tanda mengandung |
Do not try to diagnose the problem yourself. Get medical help if you are worried, and avoid assuming it is just gastric pain or food poisoning if the pain keeps getting worse.
Punca apendiks: what causes appendicitis?
According to the NHS, appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes infected and swollen. This is often caused by something getting stuck in the appendix, such as a small piece of undigested food or hard poo.
Many people search for makanan punca apendiks (foods that cause appendicitis). The NHS does not link appendicitis to any particular food, and it can happen to anyone.
Apendiks pecah: what happens if the appendix bursts?
If appendicitis is not treated quickly, the appendix can burst (perforated or ruptured appendix). According to the NHS:
- the pain may suddenly get better for a short time, which can be misleading;
- then there is usually severe pain that spreads across the whole abdomen, and it may be very painful to move.
A burst appendix is serious and can lead to:
- infection of the inner lining of the abdomen (peritonitis);
- a life-threatening reaction to infection (sepsis);
- a painful build-up of pus (abscess);
- a blockage in the bowel;
- problems in pregnancy.
These complications need urgent treatment with surgery and antibiotics.
How is appendicitis diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis. A doctor will feel your tummy for pain and swelling. In hospital you may have blood tests, a urine test, an ultrasound or CT scan, and a pregnancy test if you could be pregnant. According to the NHS, no test can always show appendicitis, so doctors sometimes wait a few hours to see how symptoms develop. If appendicitis is very likely, or the appendix may have burst, they may recommend surgery straight away.
Surgery (appendectomy, or pembedahan apendiks). Appendicitis is usually treated by removing the appendix. You do not need your appendix, so it is not harmful to remove it. According to the NHS:
- it is done under general anaesthetic and usually takes about an hour;
- most are done by keyhole surgery through small cuts, sometimes with a larger cut (open surgery);
- if the appendix has burst, the area is cleaned.
Antibiotics instead of surgery. Sometimes appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics, if the infection has not spread and surgery is high risk for you. If a lump called an appendix mass has formed, antibiotics are usually given first, with surgery a few weeks later if symptoms continue.
Recovery after appendix surgery
Most people recover from appendicitis in 1 to 2 weeks, or longer after complications such as a burst appendix. After keyhole surgery, you may go home the day after the operation; after open surgery or complications, you may stay a few days. According to the NHS:
- return to usual activities when you feel ready; you may need 1 to 2 weeks off work or school;
- take painkillers if needed and look after your wounds as advised;
- if constipated, eat plenty of fibre and drink lots of fluids (see our guide to sembelit);
- finish any antibiotics you are given;
- avoid strenuous activities such as sport until fully recovered, and do not drive until you can do an emergency stop safely.
Complications of surgery are rare but include wound infection, bleeding, scar tissue (adhesions) and an abscess. See a doctor urgently if, after surgery, you have worsening soreness or redness around the wound, bleeding or pus from the wound, or a high temperature.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is apendiks (appendicitis)?
Appendicitis (often called apendiks or appendix in Malaysia) is swelling and infection of the appendix, a small pouch joined to the bowel on the lower right side of the tummy. It usually causes pain in the lower right side of the abdomen and needs urgent treatment in hospital, usually surgery to remove the appendix.
What are the signs of appendicitis (tanda apendiks)?
Pain usually starts in the middle of the tummy around the belly button, then after a few hours moves to the lower right side and gets worse. It may hurt more when you move, cough or press on the area. Other symptoms can include feeling or being sick, loss of appetite, a high temperature, constipation or diarrhoea, and peeing more than usual.
Which side is the appendix (appendix belah mana)?
The appendix is on the lower right side of the abdomen, so appendicitis pain usually ends up there. But pain can start around the belly button, and some people, especially pregnant women, young children and older people, have pain that is milder, comes on more slowly or is in a different place.
What causes appendicitis (punca apendiks)?
Appendicitis happens when the appendix becomes infected and swollen, often because something gets stuck in it, such as a small piece of undigested food or hard poo. It is common, can happen at any age, and is most common in children over 10 and young adults.
What happens if the appendix bursts (apendiks pecah)?
If appendicitis is not treated quickly, the appendix can burst. The pain may suddenly get better for a short time, then become severe and spread across the whole abdomen. A burst appendix can cause peritonitis, sepsis, an abscess or a bowel blockage, and needs urgent surgery and antibiotics. Call 999 for severe abdominal pain.
Is appendix surgery (pembedahan apendiks) dangerous?
An appendectomy is usually done by keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic, and takes about an hour. You do not need your appendix, so removing it is not harmful. Complications such as wound infection, bleeding or an abscess are possible but rare. Most people recover in 1 to 2 weeks.
Can appendicitis be treated without surgery?
Sometimes. The NHS says antibiotics may be recommended instead of surgery if the infection has not spread and surgery is high risk for you. If an appendix mass has formed, antibiotics are usually given first, with surgery a few weeks later if symptoms continue. Most people, though, are treated with surgery.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. If you have severe or worsening tummy pain, get medical help immediately. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
