Symptoms that can be confused with appendicitis

Appendicitis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation of a part of the intestine, the appendix, which is located in the lower right region of the abdomen.

Sometimes, appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose and identify by the person, as the symptoms that manifest, such as abdominal discomfort, severe pain in the lower right side of the belly, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, persistent low fever, imprisonment of belly or diarrhea, bloated belly and reduced or absent intestinal gas, resemble other conditions. In all cases where these symptoms arise, you should go to the emergency department as soon as possible, in order to avoid complications.

Appendicitis is easier to diagnose in men, because differential diagnoses are fewer in comparison to women, whose symptoms can be confused with other gynecological diseases, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian torsion or ectopic pregnancy, for example, which happens due the proximity that the appendix has to female reproductive organs.

Some of the conditions and diseases that can be confused with appendicitis are:

1. Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is characterized by an interference in the intestine caused by the presence of intestinal bridles, tumors or an inflammation, which makes it difficult for feces to pass through the intestine.

The symptoms that can arise in this situation are difficulty in evacuating or eliminating gas, swelling of the belly, nausea or abdominal pain, which are very similar to situations of appendicitis.

If you experience these symptoms, it is very important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Find out what the causes are and what the treatment consists of.

2. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are characterized by inflammation of the intestine, leading to the occurrence of symptoms very similar to those of appendicitis, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever.

However, in some cases, weight loss, anemia or food intolerances can also be seen, which can help to exclude the possibility of appendicitis.

If any of these symptoms are present, you should go to the emergency department as soon as possible. Learn more about inflammatory bowel disease.

3. Acute diverticulitis

Acute diverticulitis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation and infection of the diverticula of the intestine, whose symptoms are exactly the same as those that occur in an appendicitis, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, tenderness of the left side of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, the intensity of which may vary depending on the severity of the inflammation.

If it is not treated quickly, complications can occur, such as bleeding, abscesses, perforation or intestinal obstruction, so, as soon as the first symptoms appear, you should immediately go to the emergency room. Find out how diverticulitis is treated.

4. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is characterized by an infection that begins in the vagina and spreads to the uterus, tubes and ovaries, and in some cases can spread to the abdomen, and should therefore be treated as soon as possible.

This disease occurs in women and is more common in sexually active young people who have multiple sexual partners without using protection.

Some of the symptoms can be confused with appendicitis, however, in this case, vaginal bleeding may also occur outside the menstrual period or after intercourse, smelly vaginal discharge and pain during intimate contact, which helps to exclude the possibility of appendicitis..

Learn more about the disease and what the treatment consists of.

5. Constipation

Constipation, especially the one that lasts many days, can cause symptoms such as difficulty and effort to evacuate, abdominal pain and discomfort, swelling of the belly and excess of gases, however, usually the person does not have fever or vomiting, which can help to exclude the possibility of appendicitis.

Learn what to do to combat constipation.

6. Kidney stone

When a kidney stone appears, the pain can be very intense and, as with appendicitis, vomiting and fever can also appear, however, the pain caused by the kidney stone is usually located in the lower back and does not feel both in the abdomen, which helps to exclude the possibility of appendicitis. In addition, other symptoms that may arise are pain when urinating, pain that radiates to the groin and red or brown urine.

Know what the treatment of kidney stone consists of.

7. Twisting of the ovaries

The twisting of the ovaries occurs when the thin ligament that attaches the ovaries to the abdominal wall, folds or twists, causing intense pain due to the presence of blood vessels and nerves in the region, which are compressed. If the torsion occurs on the right side, the person may be confused with an appendicitis, however, in most cases, other characteristic symptoms do not manifest.

Treatment should be done as soon as possible and usually consists of surgery.

8. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops in the uterine tube, not in the uterus, causing symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, only on one side of the belly and swollen abdomen. In addition, it can cause vaginal bleeding and heaviness in the vagina, which facilitates its diagnosis.

Learn to identify the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy and how the treatment is done.