Tag Archives: Appendicitis

Do You Know the Warning Signs of Appendicitis?

Appendicitis Warning Signs

Appendicitis happens when your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. As a result, the appendix will continue to swell and can rupture, which can be fatal. Knowing the symptoms of this condition can help you seek medical care quickly to avoid any complications.

Abdominal pain

>Abdominal pain can mean a lot of different things. It can be caused by a simple stomach ache, muscle soreness, and any number of things. Typically, the abdominal pain associated with appendicitis is a dull pain near the belly button or upper abdomen. The pain becomes sharper as it moves to the lower right abdomen.

Loss of Appetite

If you have abdominal pain but you still have an appetite, chances are you do not have appendicitis. People suffering from appendicitis lose their appetite. The pain can be so debilitating that a meal is the last thing on your name.

Nausea

The pain from >appendicitis can also cause nausea and/or vomiting. If you do vomit, you might not feel any relief because, unlike a regular stomachache, appendicitis is a lot more serious.

Fever

Along with other symptoms, a fever can occur. If you have other symptoms point to appendicitis and a temperature above 99 degrees, then appendicitis could be the cause of your pain.

Inability to pass gas

Appendicitis pain, from abdominal pain to a fever, can feel ceaseless. An indicator that something is more than just abdominal pain or a sour stomach will be an inability to pass gas. With the inability to pass gas, it’s virtually impossible to feel any kind of relief. girl holding onto stomach with both hands due to abdominal pain

No one symptom is a telltale sign of appendicitis. If you live in the Dallas area, have one or more of these symptoms and think that it might be attributed to appendicitis, stop by or call Highland Park Emergency Room today. Contact us today!

Is it a Cramp or Something Worse?

Causes of Abdominal Pain

Common causes of abdominal pain that can require an ER visit include:

food poisoning
viral gastroenteritis, which is also called the flu
irritable bowel syndrome
menstrual cramps
acid reflux
urinary tract infections
indigestion; gallstones
endometriosis
appendicitis

You should look for other symptoms that could help a doctor shed more light on what the cause of your abdominal pain is. You should also consider whether you may have eaten anything contaminated or been exposed to the flu. You can share this information with a medical care provider when you seek a full diagnosis of your condition.

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain

Deciding when to go to the doctor is a challenge, especially if you have limited or no insurance coverage and if you are worried about having a long wait when you seek medical help. Waiting too long to get help can be detrimental to your health though, so you want to get medical help in a timely manner. The good news is, care is available at Highland Park Emergency Room for affordable prices. Treatment is provided by qualified professionals, and you should be able to get an accurate diagnosis and get on the road to recovery quickly. Contact us today for more information.

Abdominal Pain- Causes and Treatments

If you are suffering from abdominal pain, contact us immediately. We have the tools and knowledge on hand to diagnose and treat the cause of your pain right now.

Abdominal Pain

Treatment Procedures

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain

Many injuries and conditions can cause abdominal pain.

Abdominal Organ-Related Conditions:
- Appendicitis – A potentially deadly condition caused by the inflammation, infection and build up of pus in the appendix
- Gall Stones – Hardened fluid deposits in the gall bladder that cause intense pain and fever
- Bowel Blockage – Caused by scar tissue, tumors, or narrowing of intestine, resulting in build- up of food, gas and fluid in the bowels
- Peptic Ulcer – A painful sore in the stomach lining and upper small intestine that can sometimes be accompanied by bleeding or vomiting
Gender-Related Conditions:
- Menstrual Cramps – Caused by the approach or start of a woman’s menstrual cycle
- Mittelschmerz – Minor pain on one side of the abdomen that occurs during ovulation
- Ectopic Pregnancy – A life-threatening condition caused when an ovum attaching itself to and growing inside the fallopian tube
- Endometriosis – Caused by the lining of the uterus growing in other areas of the pelvis and abdomen
Food and Digestive Conditions:
- Food Allergies – Caused by an allergic reaction to dairy, red meat, gluten and other foods
- Heartburn – The result of acid reflux and indigestion after eating
- Food Poisoning – Vomiting or diarrhea caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages
- Lactose Intolerance – A condition caused by the inability to absorb and digest lactose found in dairy
Conditions Caused by Other Organs:
- Heart Attack – A life-threatening emergency caused when blood flow to the heart is restricted and causes part of the heart muscle to die.
- Abdominal Aneurysm – A deadly enlargening or ballooning of the aorta that supplies blood f low to the abdomen, legs, and pelvis.
- Pneumonia – A serious viral or bacterial infection in one or both lungs that causes coughing, shortness of breath, lethargy, high fevers, and pain in the stomach and ribs.
Other Causes:
- Injury – A blow to the stomach, pelvis or lower chest can cause pain and swelling in the abdomen
- Flatulence – Excess flatulence can cause pressure and pain throughout the abdomen
- Anxiety – Worry, stress, anxiety and panic attacks can cause stomach aches and nausea

In order for us to alleviate your abdominal pain, we may need to perform some scans or tests. These include:

Abdominal x-ray – This procedure uses an x-ray machine to provide doctors with images of the intestines, spleen, stomach and other organs in the abdominal cavity. It may identify intestinal blockage, kidney stones or other causes of your pain or nausea. You may be asked to lie on a table or to stand as the x-ray machine captures images of the abdominal area.
Abdominal CT scan – This scan is similar to an x-ray, but it uses multiple rays in order to create cross-sectional images of organs and tissues in the abdomen. These images will allow us to identify any swelling, masses, infections or other issues that could be contributing to your pain. In order to receive these images, you will lie on a table that slides into the CT machine.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography– MRCP helps us identify gall stones through the use of magnetic resonance imaging. The scan can also provide us with information about the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. You will be asked to lie on a table that will be moved into an MRI tunnel, which is where the equipment will gather images.
Abdominal ultrasound – We may order ultrasounds to help us check for liver disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms and issues with other abdominal organs. These ultrasounds are often performed quickly and can give us immediate images that may help us make a diagnosis. We will place a small amount of gel on your abdomen, and then we will rub the area with a transducer that sends the images to a screen for us to view.

Abdominal pain is defined as any pain that you feel anywhere in your stomach or groin area. It can be accompanied by nausea, bloating, excess gas, sweating, cramps or fever. Abdominal pain can appear gradually and become worse or it can appear suddenly with no prior warning. If your abdominal pain is not relieved with home remedies or over-the-counter medication or you experience other symptoms like bloody stools or vomit, you should immediately go to the nearest emergency room.

If you are experiencing abdominal pain, please visit one of our convenient locations. We are always open with no wait.