Early symptoms of acute appendicitis

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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The symptoms of the early stage of acute appendicitis primarily include vague abdominal pain, initially across the abdomen, then transitioning around the belly button, and after several hours, shifting to the lower right abdomen where the pain becomes localized. The early symptoms of acute appendicitis are not typically distinctive, with the onset being quite sudden, accompanied by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Based on these typical clinical manifestations, diagnosing acute appendicitis is not difficult. Clinically, the main treatment is the surgical removal of the appendix, with laparoscopic appendectomy being the more common practice nowadays. This method involves less bleeding during the operation and a quicker post-operative recovery.

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Gastroenterology
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Causes of Acute Appendicitis

The main causes of acute appendicitis are obstruction of the appendiceal lumen and concurrent infection. The appendiceal lumen is a narrow tube that communicates with the cecum at one end. Obstruction, such as a fecalith, can lead to increased pressure inside the lumen, disturbances in blood flow, damage to the mucosa, and secondary infection. It can also be caused by direct bacterial infection within the appendiceal lumen, leading to acute inflammation. Additionally, repeated diarrhea or constipation and other gastrointestinal dysfunctions can also cause circulation disturbances in the appendix, leading to bacterial invasion and acute inflammation.

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Symptoms of acute appendicitis

The typical symptoms of acute appendicitis include abdominal pain that starts around the upper abdomen or navel area, then localizes to the lower right abdomen. There are also manifestations of gastrointestinal spasms such as nausea and vomiting. Due to inflammation entering the bloodstream, there can be a systemic infection, often accompanied by fever, generally not exceeding 38 degrees Celsius. If there is an appendix perforation and peritonitis, the temperature can exceed 38 degrees. After the appendix becomes suppurative, symptoms can include abdominal muscle rigidity, dental pain, and rebound tenderness.

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Acute appendicitis nursing care

The nursing care for acute appendicitis includes preoperative care and postoperative care. Before surgery and on the day of surgery, fasting is required; the patient should not eat anything. At the same time, it is important to soothe the patient's emotions. If the pain is very severe, sedative analgesics can be used. After the surgery, dietary care should be intensified. On the first day after the surgery, a liquid diet should be administered. After bowel gas is passed, a normal diet can be resumed on the third to fourth day. It is important to monitor vital signs and the condition of the surgical incision to prevent infection. The patient can engage in activities out of bed 24 hours after surgery. Elderly patients should be assisted in expectoration to prevent dependent pneumonia.

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Gastroenterology
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acute appendicitis symptoms

The symptoms of acute appendicitis typically include abdominal pain at the onset of the condition, which initially occurs around the navel and then localizes to the lower right abdomen, as well as early nausea and vomiting caused by gastric spasms. Patients with more severe inflammation may also exhibit fever. If the inflammation spreads to the peritoneum, there will be tenderness at McBurney's point and rebound tenderness, along with tense abdominal muscles. Based on these symptoms, making a definitive diagnosis of acute appendicitis is not particularly difficult.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Which is more serious, acute appendicitis or chronic appendicitis?

The symptoms of acute appendicitis are relatively more severe because acute suppurative appendicititis can cause perforation of the appendiceal lumen. After the perforation, pus can flow into the abdominal cavity causing diffuse peritonitis, leading to abdominal muscle tension, tenderness, and rebound pain. If not treated promptly, it can lead to multiple organ failure. Chronic appendicitis is mostly due to incomplete treatment of acute appendicitis, or chronic latent appendicitis. The symptoms of chronic appendicitis are sometimes mild and the physical signs are not definite. Surgical removal of the appendix should be the first choice for treating acute appendicitis.