NEW DELHI: Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons patients walk into the emergency room. Very often they arrive confused — some worried about appendix, others convinced it is only acidity or gas. The difficulty is understandable because early appendix pain can begin very mildly and look similar to routine digestive discomfort. However, delaying the correct diagnosis can be risky; Appendicitis is a time-sensitive condition.
Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Director of dept. Robotics, Bariatric, Laparoscopic and General Surgery from Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh and Founder Shalya Clinic in Rohini New Delhi explained “the appendix is a small finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine on the right lower side of the abdomen. When it becomes blocked and infected, pressure builds inside it. That pressure and infection create pain that gradually changes in character.”
EARLY CLUES THAT SUGGEST GAS OR ACIDITY
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Pain comes and goes
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Relief after passing gas or burping
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Associated bloating or heaviness after meals
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Pain not restricted to one fixed spot
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Improvement after antacid tablets
Gas pain is usually related to digestion. It tends to shift from one area of the abdomen to another and often worsens after eating heavy, oily, or late meals. Patients commonly describe fullness, tightness, or rumbling in the stomach. Importantly, the person is still able to walk, sit, or sleep comfortably after some time.
SIGNS THAT POINT TOWARDS APPENDIX INFLAMMATION
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Pain starts near the navel and moves to the right lower abdomen
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Pain becomes constant and sharper with time
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Walking, coughing, or turning in bed increases pain
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea or mild fever
In appendicitis, the pattern is different. Initially, discomfort may feel like indigestion around the upper abdomen or navel. Within several hours, the pain shifts and localises to the lower right side. At this stage patients often say they cannot stand straight or travel comfortably.
“The most important feature of appendix pain is progression. Gas pain fluctuates, but appendicitis steadily worsens over hours,” explains Dr. Sharma.
WHY CONFUSION HAPPENS
Many patients first try home remedies, painkillers, or antacids. Because early appendicitis can temporarily feel mild, they assume improvement will come. Unfortunately, pain medicine can mask symptoms while infection continues inside the appendix. If untreated, the appendix can rupture, causing pus infection in the abdomen, which is a serious emergency.
ADDITIONAL WARNING FEATURES
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Persistent vomiting
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Fever rising above 100°F
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Severe pain while pressing and suddenly releasing the abdomen
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Inability to tolerate food or water
These signs should never be ignored. Unlike gas, appendicitis does not resolve overnight. The discomfort prevents normal movement. Patients often prefer lying still because even small motions increase pain.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE
If abdominal pain continues beyond 6-8 hours and especially shifts to the right lower abdomen, medical evaluation is essential. A clinical examination, blood tests, and ultrasound or CT scan help confirm the diagnosis. Early treatment usually involves laparoscopic surgery, performed through small incisions, allowing faster recovery and minimal hospital stay.
Many people worry about unnecessary surgery, but waiting is more dangerous. A ruptured appendix leads to longer hospitalisation and stronger antibiotics.
Dr. Pankaj Sharma concludes by saying that “people often hope abdominal pain will settle on its own. Gas improves with time, but appendicitis worsens with time. When pain becomes fixed on the right side and walking hurts, it is safer to get examined the same day rather than waiting for the next morning.”
Inputs by Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Director of dept. Robotics, Bariatric, Laparoscopic and General Surgery from Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh and Founder Shalya Clinic in Rohini New Delhi
