Grumpy appendicitis, more commonly known as chronic appendicitis, is characterized by mild pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen and is the result of inflammation of the appendix, a small extension of the colon. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection and is rarer than the more serious form of appendicitis, known as acute appendicitis. Grumpy appendicitis usually lasts three or more weeks before it's painful enough to see a doctor.
The appendix is attached to the cecum, which is the first section of the large intestine, also known as the colon. It is found at the junction of the small intestine and colon and is prone to problems, such as infections, in some people. No one is sure why it is there, but it is believed that it served a purpose at some point in human history and was rendered meaningless by evolution.
Unlike acute appendicitis, which comes on quickly and is very painful, grumpy appendicitis begins as mild pain and builds up over a period of weeks. The pain usually starts in the belly button area and gradually moves to the area between the top of the pelvic bone and the belly button. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, abdominal straining, digestion problems, and nausea. Vomiting will occasionally occur in the later stages.
Diagnosis of grumpy appendicitis usually begins by pressing on the area between the navel and the pelvic bone for pain. If you feel pain when your hand is withdrawn, that's a good sign of grumbling appendicitis. The next step is usually an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan to check for abnormalities in the appendix.
If the diagnosis is determined to be grumbling appendicitis, treatment usually consists of a round of antibiotics to clear up any infection. This can last for several weeks and be a very high dose to prevent the onset of acute appendicitis. If this doesn't work, surgery may be done to remove the appendix.
Although grumpy appendicitis has a slow onset, it can develop into acute appendicitis. If symptoms such as severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and high fever occur, it is considered an emergency because the appendix may burst. Surgery will be needed to immediately remove the appendix because if it bursts, it can infect the abdominal cavity and quickly lead to death.