Abdominal pain is a very common complaint. Almost everyone has experienced it, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with daily activities. However, not all abdominal pain should be taken lightly. In some cases, abdominal pain can be a sign of a serious problem, one of which is appendicitis.
The problem is, in the early stages, appendicitis pain is often mistaken for a common stomach ache. As a result, many people delay seeking medical attention until the condition worsens. This article will help you understand the difference between appendicitis pain and a common stomach ache , so you can be more alert and make informed decisions.
Understanding Common Stomach Aches
Common stomach ache is pain that is generally associated with minor digestive problems. This condition is often harmless and can resolve on its own.
Common Causes of Stomach Pain
Some things that often trigger common stomach aches include:
- Late eating or irregular eating
- Eating too much
- Spicy or fatty foods
- Have a cold
- Stress or anxiety
- Mild digestive disorders
Pain from this condition is usually temporary and does not continue to worsen.
Characteristics of Common Stomach Pain
Common stomach aches have several characteristics:
- The pain feels like it's spreading, not focused on one point.
- Pain can come and go
- Stomach feels twisted or uncomfortable
- Pain often improves after a bowel movement, passing gas, or resting.
- The intensity of pain tends to be mild to moderate.
In most cases, common stomach aches do not drastically interfere with activities and do not cause pain that gets worse over time.
Understanding Appendicitis Pain
Unlike regular abdominal pain, appendicitis pain stems from inflammation in one part of the intestine. This condition doesn't resolve on its own and requires medical treatment.
Appendicitis pain often develops gradually and has a fairly typical pattern, although it can feel different for some people.
Differences in Pain Location
1. Location of Pain in Common Stomach Pain
In common stomach ache:
- Pain is often felt throughout the abdominal area.
- Not always at the same point
- Can move around
- Sometimes it is felt more in the upper abdomen or middle.
The location of this pain tends to be non-specific.
2. Location of pain in the appendix
In appendicitis, pain is usually:
- Initially felt around the navel
- Within a few hours, the pain shifted to the lower right abdomen.
- After moving, the pain remains at one point.
This characteristic of pain shifting is one of the important signs that need to be paid attention to.
Differences in Pain Intensity
1. Pain Intensity in Common Stomach Pain
- Pain tends to be mild to moderate
- Not getting consistently worse
- May be relieved by rest or change of position
Many people can still carry out activities even though they feel uncomfortable.
2. Intensity of Pain in Appendicitis
- The pain gets stronger over time
- Does not subside even after lying down or taking mild painkillers
- Pain can interfere with daily activities
At some stage, sufferers even have difficulty standing upright due to the sharp pain.
Differences in Pain Patterns
1. Common Abdominal Pain Patterns
- Come and go
- Sometimes it feels better, then it comes back
- Not settling in one spot
This pattern indicates a generally mild disturbance.
2. Appendicitis Pain Pattern
- Pain comes on slowly, then persists.
- It feels constant
- The longer it goes on the more annoying it gets
Appendicitis pain rarely goes away without treatment.
Differences in Body Response
1. The Body's Response to Common Stomach Aches
- Appetite may decrease slightly
- Rarely accompanied by repeated vomiting
- The body still feels quite energetic
General conditions are usually still relatively stable.
2. The Body's Response to Appendicitis
- Appetite decreased drastically
- Nausea and vomiting often occur after the pain is felt.
- The body feels weak
- Sometimes accompanied by a mild fever
These symptoms indicate that the body is experiencing a more serious problem.
Differences in Influence on Activities
1. Common Stomach Ache
Sufferers:
- Still able to do light activities
- Can work or rest comfortably
- Pain does not always interfere with movement
2. Appendicitis
In appendicitis pain:
- Moving can make the pain worse.
- Walking, coughing, or laughing is painful
- Many sufferers choose to remain silent because they are afraid the pain will increase.
This is a sign that the pain is not just a minor inconvenience.
Difference in Pain Duration
1. Duration of Common Stomach Pain
- Usually gets better within a few hours
- One to two days at most
- It doesn't keep getting worse
If the cause is mild, the body can recover on its own.
2. Duration of Appendicitis Pain
- Pain persists for more than 24 hours
- The longer it takes, the heavier it feels.
- Showing no signs of improvement
Long duration and worsening pain should be a cause for concern.
Risks of Ignoring Appendicitis Pain
Mistaking appendicitis for a common stomach ache can have serious consequences. If left untreated:
- The pain can get worse
- Infection can spread
- Body condition can decline drastically
- Risk of complications increases
This is the reason why unusual abdominal pain should not be ignored.
Why Do Many People Have Difficulty Telling Them Apart?
There are several reasons why appendicitis pain is often misunderstood:
- It felt light at first
- The location of the pain is not clear
- Similar to indigestion
- Not everyone experiences the same symptoms
However, changes in pain patterns over time are an important key differentiator.
When to Be Alert and See a Doctor?
Seek medical attention immediately if:
- Abdominal pain does not improve within 24 hours
- Pain shifts to the lower right abdomen
- The pain is getting stronger
- Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fever
- Pain interferes with activities
Early screening helps prevent more serious conditions.
Conclusion
While both abdominal pain and appendicitis pain are felt in the abdominal area, there are distinct differences when examined closely. While abdominal pain tends to be mild, appendicitis pain is persistent and can worsen.
Understanding this difference is important so you don't delay seeking treatment when your body signals danger. When in doubt, it's better to get checked out early rather than waiting until the condition becomes more serious.
This article was written by Dr. Lucia Nirmalasari, Sp.B, FICS (General Surgery Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).