Appendicitis history and symptoms
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Appendicitis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Appendicitis On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of acute appendicitis can be classified into two types, typical and atypical (Hobler, K., 1998).
Typical Symptoms
Typical symptoms may include:
- Pain starting centrally (periumbilical) before localizing to the right iliac fossa (the lower right side of the abdomen)
- This is due to the poor localizing (spatial) property of visceral nerves from the mid-gut, followed by the involvement of somatic nerves (parietal peritoneum) as the inflammation progresses.
- Loss of appetite
- Fever may occur
- Nausea may occur
- Vomiting may occur
With the typical presentation of appendicitis the diagnosis of the disease is easier to make, surgery occurs earlier and findings are often less severe (Hobler, K., 1998).
Less Common Symptoms
Atypical Symptoms
Atypical symptoms may include:
- pain beginning and staying in the right iliac fossa
- diarrhea
- a more prolonged, smoldering course.