Health is a treasure we must cherish—no matter how hectic life gets. In today’s whirlwind of deadlines, responsibilities, and commitments, self-care often slips through the cracks. But here’s a hard truth: neglecting your health doesn’t just affect your body—it can cloud your mind and burden your emotions. Ignoring symptoms, skipping check-ups, and indulging in unhealthy habits can turn minor issues into ticking time bombs.
Take appendicitis, for instance—a condition that can strike suddenly and demand immediate attention. The appendix, a small yet significant organ nestled in the lower right abdomen, plays a subtle role in supporting immunity by fighting infections. Most people associate appendicitis with acute, excruciating pain, requiring urgent surgery. But did you know that appendicitis can also become chronic?
Dr Amita Jain, a leading laparoscopic surgeon and specialist appendicitis removal surgeon in Delhi and India explains the signs of chronic appendicitis in this article.
Is your Appendicitis Acute or Chronic?
While the appendix was once thought to have no real purpose, recent research suggests it plays a role in both digestion and the immune system.
Most cases of appendicitis are acute, meaning they develop suddenly and worsen quickly. This is the type doctors and researchers know the most about. However, there is also a less common form called chronic appendicitis. Unlike the acute form, chronic appendicitis develops gradually, causing intermittent discomfort over a long period. The symptoms come and go, but they never escalate into a full-blown emergency—at least not right away.
Because the pain of chronic appendicitis is often milder and doesn’t follow the same rapid progression as the acute form, it can go unnoticed or be mistaken for other digestive issues. However, this doesn’t make it any less serious. Chronic appendicitis can turn into an acute case at any time, which is why it requires medical attention. The most common symptom of both types is pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. In acute appendicitis, the pain is usually sharp and severe, whereas in chronic cases, it may feel more like a persistent, dull ache.
If you experience unexplained abdominal pain, especially in the lower right side, it’s best to consult a doctor. Even if the symptoms seem mild or come and go, ignoring them could lead to complications down the line.
Symptoms of Chronic Appendicitis
- Long Duration – Chronic appendicitis lasts for more than a week and can persist for months or even years. Symptoms may come and go, making it difficult to diagnose.
- Abdominal Pain – Pain is usually mild to moderate and occurs in the lower right side of the abdomen. It may spread to the belly button and feel dull or sharp, but it is often less intense than in acute appendicitis.
- Bowel Problems – Alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhoea are common. This can make chronic appendicitis easy to confuse with other gastrointestinal disorders.
- Fever – A low-grade fever may appear intermittently due to ongoing inflammation in the appendix, signalling the body’s immune response to irritation or infection.
- Bloating – Inflammation of the appendix can disrupt digestion, leading to gas buildup and bloating, especially in the lower right abdomen. This discomfort may feel like regular gas pains but tends to be persistent or recurrent.
- Nausea and Vomiting – Chronic irritation of the appendix can trigger nerve signals that cause nausea. Vomiting may occur as the body tries to relieve digestive discomfort.
- Malaise and Fatigue – A general feeling of discomfort, tiredness, or lack of energy is common. Since the symptoms are mild and ongoing, chronic appendicitis is often mistaken for other health conditions.
It is quite clear that chronic appendicitis is a slow-burning condition that often goes unnoticed. Persistent abdominal pain, bowel issues, bloating, nausea, and fatigue are key signs. Though symptoms may seem mild, they can worsen anytime. Seeking medical advice early can prevent complications and ensure timely treatment for better health.
Dr Amita Jain is a surgeon with the highest degree of professional competence, precision and surgical craftsmanship. Performed all complicated general surgery procedures with in depth knowledge of invasive and few minimal invasive and onco surgical techniques. Underwent special training in trauma, executed various trauma-related complex life-saving neurosurgical procedures, reconstructed injured mangled limbs and performed vascular and reconstructive procedures with critical care.
Dr Amita Jain holds 28 plus years of rich experience in Trauma and General Laparoscopic Surgeries (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor Surgery of at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. In 1994 she was commissioned as Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior Consultant, (Speciality: General and Laparoscopic Surgeon) at Artemis Lite Hospital, New Delhi and Sr. General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Rainbow Children Hospitals, Malviya Nagar, Delhi.