Appendicitis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Patients with appendicitis commonly present with pain near the navel that eventually localizes to the right iliac fossa, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
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 ( in the periumbilical region) 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
Appendicitis presenting with atypical symptoms is more difficult to diagnose than normal. CT scans and ultrasound tests are more useful in diagnosing the disease when these atypical symptoms present. Surgical findings (suppuration, abscess, perforation, etc.) are more apt to be severe in cases presenting with these symptoms (Hobler,K., 1998).
Atypical Symptoms
Atypical symptoms may include:
- Pain beginning and staying in the right iliac fossa
- Diarrhea
- A more prolonged, smoldering course.
- Increased frequency of urination
- This occurs when the inflamed appendix lies in contact with the bladder.
- With a post-ileal appendix, marked retching may occur