Right Lower Quadrant Pain
Usually when we are experiencing severe right lower quadrant pain, the emphasis on appendicitis is suspected. Quite often the pain builds up over time and may not be identified initially, as it is not necessarily particularly severe enough to consider a visit to the GP.
Over the next few hours, it is likely that the build up of pain becomes more serious and can eventually become continuous and excruciating, sometimes leading to a difficulty moving about, and a more urgent need to consult a GP.
It is really important that if such a right lower quadrant pain is building up, having become worse throughout the day, or during the night, that urgent attention is sought, since leaving this too long could result in the more severe outcome of peritonitis, a clamping down of the muscle due to the severe irritation caused by right lower quadrant pain, which can be very dangerous indeed, possibly life-threatening if not treated.
So before right lower quadrant pain reaches that high level, and causes peritonitis, go along to the GP and get it checked out right away.
Right Lower Quadrant Pain Treatment
The tests for appendicitis usually involves an assessment of the abdomen, pain in the lower abdomen the front of the stomach, where your intestines are held in position by the peritoneum. Simple pressure is applied to one side of the stomach, when this pressure is released it will likely cause you significant right lower quadrant pain or severe irritation, an obvious tension of the muscles, which will provide your GP with confirmation of appendicitis.
Your doctor may also check out your feet, in a similar confirmatory test or examination, which may create a similar reaction, in fact the possibility of any jerking or sudden movement will probably have an effect on these tender parts.
Right Lower Quadrant Pain Examination
Following this examination it is likely that a decision will be made whether to conduct an urgent operation for the speedy removal of the appendix, and although this does involve a removal procedure that delves below the muscles that are apparent in that area, it is a relatively straightforward process, with a recovery period of around 7-10 days, full back-to-work recovery after around 2 weeks.
However, should the symptoms have become more severe and peritonitis has set in, a puncture or tear of a part of the stomach or intestines, perhaps due to ignoring the symptoms of right lower quadrant pain for too long, without seeking a consultation from a GP, the surgical procedure may be far more complicated.
It is likely that this is much more serious than an operation for appendicitis, so it obviously follows that the recovery period following this type of operation is likely to be significantly longer, however, it is important to point out that peritonitis can also be fatal!