When the small pouch at the end of the intestine called the appendix becomes inflamed, it causes the condition called appendicitis. According to Medline Plus, appendicitis is the most common medical emergency. Appendicitis stems from a blockage or, in rare cases, a tumor. If you have signs of appendicitis, it is important that you seek medical attention. The treatment for appendicitis is an appendectomy, or removal of the appendix.
Abdominal Pain
The most common symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain, which usually starts out mild and becomes more sharp and severe. The pain usually presents in the right lower abdomen, however, people can experience this pain differently. Pain may exacerbate with coughing or walking. Sometimes the person affected may not be able to sit or walk because the pain becomes very severe.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Appendicitis may cause a person to feel nauseous and to loose his appetite. The person may be losing weight unintentionally. Some people may experience diarrhea loose bowel, others may experience constipation, or hard stool. Vomiting is another common symptom. The abdomen may become distended. In some cases, the affected person may have trouble passing gas. It is important to remember that symptoms of appendicitis vary with every individual, therefore someone with appendicitis may or may not have these symptoms.
Fever
Symptoms of appendicitis can be accompanied by a fever. A temperature over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever. Appendicitis causes the appendix to become infected and filled with pus. With any infection fever is possible. Sometimes the appendix bursts. This can cause an infection in the abdominal cavity, which can lead to a fever.
Responses During a Physical Exam
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse outlines some different responses one may have during a physical exam if they have appendicitis. Guarding means that the patient is involuntarily tensing his abdominal muscles due to pain. Rebound tenderness is when the patient experiences pain after the clinician applies pressure and releases the abdomen. The psoas and obturator muscles lie near the appendix. During a physical exam, a doctor may perform tests to see if the pain worsens when these muscles are flexed. Doctors may also perform other diagnostic tests iin order to diagnose appendicitis and rule out other issues.
