Signs of Appendicitis

A variety of symptoms that may change over timeabdominal pain that may resemble that of appendicitis.
can be caused by appendicitis. An aching pain aroundThese conditions are: ectopic pregnancy where the
the navel that often shifts later to the lower rightpain occurs outside the lining of the uterus, a right-sided
abdomen is the most common symptom ofovarian cyst which can produce pain in the same area
appendicitis. The pain may become sharper and moreas appendicitis, a stone from the right kidney that pass
severe when the inflammation in the appendix spreadsinto the ureter, which runs from the kidney to the
to nearby tissues.bladder and get stuck there and Crohn's disease which
McBurney point is the place where the pain tends tocauses chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.
settle in the lower right abdomen near the appendixFor a good diagnose the doctor should be consulted.
and it's situated between the navel and the top of theHe will examine the abdomen through a gentle
right pelvic bone. Depending on the age and thepressure on the painful area. If the adjacent
position of the appendix the location of pain may vary.peritoneum is inflamed appendicitis pain will often feel
In this case at young children the appendicitis pain mayworse when the pressure is suddenly released.
be in different places.Abdominal rigidity and a tendency to stiffen the
If the pressure is applied to the area that hurts, it willabdominal muscles in response to pressure over the
feel tender. If the pressure is done suddenlyinflamed appendix (guarding) are other signs which help
appendicitis pain often will feel worse. Also the pain getthe doctor to diagnose appendicitis. Also the following
worse in the case of coughing, walking or makingprocedures may be recommended by the doctor:
other jarring movements. The silk-like membrane thatblood test, urine test and imaging tests.
lines the inner abdominal wall and enfolds the intestinesIn the case of blood test an infection is indicated by a
called peritoneum can be touched by the inflamedhigh number of white blood cell. Through the urinalysis
appendix. If a person lies on their side and pulls thedoctor may be sure that a urinary tract infection or a
knees up to toward the chest the pain may lessen.kidney stone isn't causing the pain, but if exist a kidney
One or more of the following signs and symptomsstone the blood cells are usually seen during
may appear in addition to pain: nausea and sometimesmicroscopic examination of the urine. An abdominal
vomiting, loss of appetite, a low-grade fever,X-ray or ultrasound scan are recommended by the
constipation, an inability to pass gas, diarrhea anddoctor to confirm appendicitis or find other causes for
abdominal swelling. It's unknown the appearance ofthe pain. A high-frequency sound waves and
appendicitis. It seems that is the result of an obstructioncomputer technology to provide images of the internal
when food waste or a hard piece of stool (fecalorgans are used in ultrasound scan. In this case the
stone) becomes trapped in an orifice of the cavity thatcomputerized tomography (CT) scan is used for
runs the length of the appendix. Also an infection, suchconfirming a diagnosis. Through this test CT scan can
as a gastrointestinal viral infection or other types ofbe provided a more comprehensive view of the
inflammation may lead to appendicitis. Untreated theinternal organs than conventional X-rays do and it can
appendix may rupture.show other potential diagnoses if the appendix is not
A diagnosis can be difficult to establish because thethe source of the pain.
pain from appendicitis may change over time. ThereNowadays there are many possibilities to find the
are some health problems which can cause theabdominal pains and their causes.