Appendicitis is manifested primarily by abdominal pain. It always requires the intervention of a doctor. However, the symptoms of appendicitis can be unusual, especially in adults. Check what symptoms may indicate appendicitis.
The appendix(Latinappendix vermiformis ) is the bulging of the first part of the large intestine, where it joins the small intestine.The symptoms of appendicitisare primarily severe pain and a high temperature. Appendicitis is treated by removing the diseased organ.
With rapidly developing appendicitis, appendicitis may rupture and become peritonitis within 24 hours.
Appendicitis - symptoms
Common symptoms of appendicitis are abdominal pain that initially appears around the navel or epigastric pain. After a few hours, the pain moves to the right side of the hip bone. It is sharp, and is aggravated when lifting the right knee and pulling the right leg back, as well as walking and coughing.
With pressure on the lower right side of the abdomen, in the so-called McBurney's point, which is halfway between the upper part of the iliac spine and the navel, the patient feels a lot of pain if the peritoneum is not irritated.
The Blumberg symptom appears - during the palpation of the abdomen, there is a muscular defense (muscle stiffness that does not allow to deepen the pressure) and pain when the examiner stops the pressure and lifts his hand from the abdomen.
Jaworski's symptom is also characteristic of appendicitis, revealing inflammation of the appendix located behind the caecum. It can be observed when the patient, lying down, slowly lowers the previously straightened right leg while the examiner exerts pressure on the appendage area. When increasing pain occurs, the symptom is positive.
A typical symptom of appendicitis is also a fever, but not exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, as well as an aversion to food, nausea and vomiting.
There is also tachycardia (increased heart rate) and soreness on the examinationper rectum .
Unusual symptomsappendicitis
If you suspect appendicitis, take into account that the symptoms depend on its location and whether or not you are dealing with peritoneal irritation, and can be quite unusual.
Pain may immediately appear in the lower right abdomen. It happens that the patient experiences only flatulence, a feeling of heaviness in the intestines or constipation.
There may also be urge to urinate due to the fact that the appendix is adjacent to the ureters, and occurs primarily when the appendix is located in the pelvic area.
If the appendix is atypical, severe pain may be felt around the upper abdomen, midline, lower left abdomen, and under the ribs.
Appendicitis treatment
You should see a doctor with any worrying symptoms. If there are many indications of appendicitis, but the doctor is not sure about it, the patient is admitted to the hospital for 1-2 hours of observation. If the diagnosis is confirmed, an operation to remove the appendix is required.
- Appendicitis - causes, symptoms, operation
- Appendicitis: you must know about it!
See the gallery of 8 photos