Appendicitis is a disease which affects the appendix; this is a small pocket-like structure which is connected to the large intestine. This inflammation can be dangerous if not treated and may cause serious health complications, thus, early diagnosis is vital. Knowing the symptoms and the ways of diagnosing appendicitis will go a long way in ensuring that people get the attention of the health practitioners before a critical situation arises.
Abdominal Pain
The single most common sign of appendicitis is pain in the abdomen region. This pain usually starts in the abdominal region near the umbilicus and then moves to the right lower quadrant. In the course of inflammation, the pain increases and is more pointed to a given area. Some of the patients have reported the pain as persistent and very intense, which may be aggravated by physical activity, coughing or sneezing. To get the appendix operation cost in Pakistan visit a general surgeon and know more.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Another common symptom evident in persons with appendicitis is a lack of appetite. This loss of appetite is often accompanied by nausea and at times vomiting of the patient. These gastrointestinal symptoms are very non-specific and are seen in many other conditions, which at times results in late diagnosis.
Fever and Body Temperature
One more symptom that indicates appendicitis is fever, though it is not very high, usually low-grade. Initially, body temperature may be slightly elevated, that is, it may be 99°F to 101°F (37. 2°C to 38. 3°C). With time the fever may increase and at some point rise to above 101°F. This is usually an increase in body temperature; this is the body’s way of fighting off inflammation and possible infection in the appendix.
Changes in Bowel Movements
Variations in bowel habits are also another symptom observed in patients having appendicitis. Some people may have constipation while others may have diarrhea as a side effect of the drug. Such variations in the clinical presentation make it difficult at times for both the patient and the physician to differentiate between the presence and absence of appendicitis and therefore underlines the need to take into account other symptoms that are present in the patient.
Advanced Symptoms
At the later stage, patients are likely to develop swollen abdomen and tenderness in the lower right part of the abdomen. Physicians also look for what is known as ‘rebound tenderness’ a condition in which there is increased pain when pressure is applied to the abdomen and then released. This is regarded as a strong and common symptom of Appendicitis.
Diagnosis Process
If one experiences the signs of appendicitis, it is highly recommended to seek the help of a doctor. The first thing which doctors usually do is the physical examination, and the analysis of the medical history. They can execute certain tests to check for abdominal pain and palpation, these include the Rovsing’s sign or the psoas sign which is helpful in distinguishing appendicitis from other ailments.
Diagnostic Tests
Blood tests may reveal infection by assessing the levels of white blood cells; multiple other tests may also be done. They may do urine tests to eliminate the possibility of a urinary tract infection that may have similar symptoms as appendicitis.
Imaging Studies
Imaging techniques are very significant in the diagnosis of appendicitis. Ultrasound is used extensively and usually as the initial modality, particularly in pediatric patients and women of childbearing age, because it is non-ionizing. CT scan gives more detailed pictures and are normally done on adults when the diagnosis is not well defined. In some occasions MRI can be used especially in pregnant patients or when patients are not suitable for CT scans.
Treatment
If diagnosis of appendicitis is made, the common procedure is to have the appendix removed through surgery which is referred to as appendicectomy. This procedure is usually done as early as possible to avoid such complications such as perforation, which may result in peritonitis, a life threatening condition.
Conclusion
Therefore, concerning the warning signs of appendicitis and the diagnosis procedure, it is beneficial to educate oneself. This is so because the commonest symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain; however, it is the cluster of multiple symptoms in conjunction with the physical examination and diagnostic tests that provide the precise diagnosis of the condition. Any person who has persistent abdominal pain should ensure that he or she consults a doctor especially if the pain is accompanied by fever, nausea and lack of appetite thinking that it could be appendicitis and seek the right treatment if the case is so. For getting an appendix operation in Karachi consult a general surgeon at once.
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