Appendicitis is a potentially serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention. If not treated promptly, it can lead to life-threatening complications. Therefore, it is important to understand how long one can have appendicitis before it becomes worse.
The time frame for appendicitis varies from person to person. Generally, most people experience symptoms of appendicitis within the first 12 to 24 hours after the onset of pain. The pain may start as a dull ache near the navel or upper abdomen, but it will usually become sharper and more intense over time. As the infection progresses, the pain will typically move to the lower right side of the abdomen. Other symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation, and diarrhea.
The longer appendicitis is left untreated, the greater the risk of complications. If the appendix bursts, the infection can spread throughout the abdominal cavity, causing serious damage to the organs and tissues. In some cases, the infection can even spread to the bloodstream, leading to sepsis, an often fatal condition.
For these reasons, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect you may have appendicitis. Delaying treatment increases your risk of complications and could even be life-threatening.