What are some symptoms of appendicitis? ?!


Question: What are some symptoms of appendicitis!? !?
My little sister is having sharp side pains and lack of appetite and we think it may be appendicitis!. If you have had your appendix removed please tell me what you felt like beforehand!. Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
The main symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain!. The pain is at first diffuse and poorly localized, that is, not confined to one spot!. (Poorly localized pain is typical whenever a problem is confined to the small intestine or colon, including the appendix!.) The pain is so difficult to pinpoint that when asked to point to the area of the pain, most people indicate the location of the pain with a circular motion of their hand around the central part of their abdomen!. A second, common, early symptom of appendicitis is loss of appetite which may progress to nausea and even vomiting!. Nausea and vomiting also may occur later due to intestinal obstruction!.

As appendiceal inflammation increases, it extends through the appendix to its outer covering and then to the lining of the abdomen, a thin membrane called the peritoneum!. Once the peritoneum becomes inflamed, the pain changes and then can be localized clearly to one small area!. Generally, this area is between the front of the right hip bone and the belly button!. The exact point is named after Dr!. Charles McBurney--McBurney's point!. If the appendix ruptures and infection spreads throughout the abdomen, the pain becomes diffuse again as the entire lining of the abdomen becomes inflamed!.

How is appendicitis diagnosed!?

The diagnosis of appendicitis begins with a thorough history and physical examination!. Patients often have an elevated temperature, and there usually will be moderate to severe tenderness in the right lower abdomen when the doctor pushes there!. If inflammation has spread to the peritoneum, there is frequently rebound tenderness!. Rebound tenderness is pain that is worse when the doctor quickly releases his hand after gently pressing on the abdomen over the area of tenderness!.

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which a small fiberoptic tube with a camera is inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture made on the abdominal wall!. Laparoscopy allows a direct view of the appendix as well as other abdominal and pelvic organs!. If appendicitis is found, the inflamed appendix can be removed with the laparascope!. The disadvantage of laparoscopy compared to ultrasound and CT is that it requires a general anesthetic!.

There is no one test that will diagnose appendicitis with certainty!. Therefore, the approach to suspected appendicitis may include a period of observation, tests as previously discussed, or surgery
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