Do bouncing and moving increase the pain?
It is typical for appendicitis in children that the pain is intensified by jumping and movements. In particular, hopping leads to a particular painful stimulus in the inflamed appendix due to the resulting vibrations in the abdominal cavity. Movements such as running can also be sufficient to intensify the pain.
Often children with appendicitis therefore avoid such movements by themselves. An indication of the disease can therefore be that an otherwise very active child suddenly no longer wants to run or jump. The increase in pain caused by bouncing and moving is particularly marked in children in whom the appendix is located behind the actual appendix. There it lies directly on a large trunk muscle, which is tensed when running and jumping, so that these movements cause pain in the case of appendicitis. Conversely, a child who is able to hop on the right leg without discomfort is very likely to have a severe appendicitis.
Deterioration of symptoms
If appendicitis is not detected or treated, in most cases the symptoms are likely to worsen. The pain in the abdomen usually continues to increase steadily, so that at some point the child can only lie in a relieving position with his legs tightened. The inflammatory reaction can also cause the appendix to burst open into the free abdominal cavity.
Paradoxically, this initially manifests itself by a sudden relief of the pain. In the further course of the disease, however, without treatment, increasing diffuse pain throughout the entire abdomen will reappear. In addition, the general condition of the child may deteriorate, making him or her apathetic or even unconscious. An appendicitis that is not treated in time can, in the worst case, be fatal even in an otherwise healthy child. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted at the latest when symptoms such as abdominal pain worsen in the course of time.
What symptoms do I need to see a doctor with?
It is not always easy to assess the symptoms for which one should take a child to a doctor. In the case of appendicitis, the main symptom is usually abdominal pain. If the child suffers from abdominal pain and this does not subside or even steadily increases, appendicitis should be considered.
If the child also suffers from fever, nausea or even vomiting, a visit to the doctor is recommended. Even if only a harmless gastro-enteritis could be present, a possible appendicitis can be recognized in time by the examination of the doctor. A presentation with the child to the doctor is also advisable if the child shows other behaviour that has a disturbing effect such as loss of appetite, fatigue or strong restlessness. In some cases, appendicitis is difficult to detect, especially in very young children, because the typical symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen are absent or cannot be stated. Also interesting: tests for detecting appendicitis
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