Symptoms of appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow tube that attaches to the cecum (the first part of the colon) like a worm. (The anatomical name for the appendix, vermiform appendix, means worm-like appendage.) It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked.

The pain of appendicitis is very severe. But people often misinterpret the pain of appendicitis with other acute abdominal pain. Some people may be nervous whether they have appendicitis. So it may be helpful for you if you know the symptoms and characteristics of appendicitis.

Symptoms of appendicitis

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.

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.

Nausea and vomiting also occur in appendicitis and may be due to intestinal obstruction.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/01/02/d501026103100.htm

Source: StarHealth: 2-Jan-2005