Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
It can be difficult to diagnose appendicitis. The position of the appendix in
the abdomen may vary. Most of the time the appendix is in the right lower
abdomen, but the appendix, like other parts of the intestine,
has a mesentery.
This mesentery is a sheet-like membrane that attaches the appendix to other
structures within the abdomen. If the mesentery is large, it allows the appendix
to move around. In addition, the appendix may be longer than normal. The
combination of a large mesentery and a long appendix allows the appendix to dip
down into the pelvis (among the pelvic organs in women). It also may allow the
appendix to move behind the colon (called a retro-colic appendix). In either
case, inflammation of the appendix may appear to be more like the inflammation of other
organs, for example, a woman's pelvic organs.
The diagnosis of appendicitis also can be difficult because other
inflammatory problems may mimic appendicitis. Therefore, it is common to observe
patients with suspected appendicitis for a period of time to see if the problem
will resolve on its own or develop characteristics that more strongly suggest
appendicitis or, perhaps, another condition.
What other conditions can mimic appendicitis?
The surgeon faced with a patient suspected of having appendicitis always must
consider and look for other conditions that can mimic appendicitis. Among the
conditions that mimic appendicitis are:
Meckel's diverticulitis. A
Meckel's diverticulum is a small outpouching of the small intestine which
usually is located in the right lower abdomen near the appendix. The
diverticulum may become inflamed or even perforate (break open or rupture). If
inflamed and/or perforated, it usually is removed surgically.
Pelvic inflammatory disease. The right
Fallopian tube
and ovary lie near the
appendix. Sexually active women may contract infectious diseases that involve
the tube and ovary. Usually, antibiotic therapy is sufficient treatment, and
surgical removal of the tube and ovary are not necessary.
Inflammatory diseases of the right upper abdomen.
Fluids from the right upper abdomen may drain into the lower abdomen where they
stimulate inflammation and mimic appendicitis. Such fluids may come from a
perforated duodenal ulcer, gallbladder disease, or inflammatory
diseases
of the liver, for example, a liver
abscess.
Right-sided diverticulitis.
Although most diverticuli are located on the left side of the colon, they
occasionally occur on the right side. When a right-sided diverticulum ruptures
it can provoke inflammation they mimics appendicitis.
Kidney diseases. The right kidney is close enough to the appendix that
inflammatory problems in the kidney-for example, an abscess-can mimic
appendicitis.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Medical shock is a life-threatening medical condition. There are several types of medical shock, septic shock, anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, and neurogenic shock. Causes of shock include heart attack, heart failure, heavy bleeding (internal and external), infection, anaphylaxis, spinal cord injury, severe burns, chronic vomiting or diarrhea. Low blood pressure is the key sign of sock. Treatment is dependant upon the type of shock.
Abdominal adhesions (scar tissue) bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal organs and tissues. Symptoms of abdominal adhesions are pelvic or abdominal pain. Abdominal adhesions on the intestines can cause bowel obstruction, which is a medical emergency. Treatment for abdominal adhesions is generally surgery to cut the adhesions away from the internal tissues and organs. There is no way to prevent abdominal adhesions.
Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
Digestion RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the