Different Stages of Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a condition when the appendix (a finger-shaped organ attached to the bottom portion of the large intestine) is inflamed or filled with pus. It is important to detect this ailment early and get the right treatment, as it can lead to severe complications if left undetected for a long time. Appendicitis goes through 4 stages of progress and detecting it as early as possible is critical to get it treated properly. Read on to know more.

4 Stages of Appendicitis

These are as follows:

Stage 1 – Early Inflammation

This stage is also known as uncomplicated/early/simple appendicitis. In this stage, individuals may notice a swelling in the abdomen due to inflammation in the lymphoid follicles. Due to this swelling, one may experience a lot of pressure and reduced blood flow in the appendix. The symptoms common in this stage are:

• Pain (usually a dull one) in the upper abdomen, gradually becoming a sharp pain in the right part of the lower abdomen

• Fever (usually mild)

• Lack of hunger

Stage 2 – Suppurative Appendicitis

In 2nd stage, the swelling becomes more profound than before. Pus begins to accumulate inside the inflamed appendix, leading to increased pain and pressure and reduced blow flow in the area. The symptoms most seen in this stage are:

• Increasing pain

• Palpitations

• Frequent bouts of high fever and chills

• Visible swelling in the abdomen

Stage 3 – Gangrenous Appendicitis

This is a severe stage of appendicitis. Since the appendix has been experiencing very little blood flow over a period, the tissues in this area start to necrotize or wither off. The death of tissues is called gangrene. This may lead to the rupture of the appendix, if not treated on time. The symptoms seen in this stage are:

• Very sharp pain that comes in frequent intervals

• Extreme fatigue, paleness, and nausea

• Noticeable mass in the abdomen

Stage 4 – Perforated Appendicitis

This is the last stage of appendicitis, and it is considered a critical stage or a medical emergency. Here, the appendix gets ruptured. As a result, the pus that is accumulated inside gets released into the abdominal cavity, leading to a condition called peritonitis. The symptoms noticed in this stage are:

• A sense of sudden relief from the persisting pain, but immediately followed by intense pain all over the abdomen

• High to very high fever and intense chills

• Nausea and puking

• Severe fatigue