What are the Signs of Appendicitis?

Appendicitis Acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix, is caused by the obstruction of free space in its interior and the proliferation of bacteria that cause it fills up with fluid purulent (pus), which if it progresses, can cause the same drilling fluid being purulent abdominal cavity producing what is called peritonitis can be located near the appendix or if you spend more time lead to generalized peritonitis (presence of pus around the abdomen) is a clinical condition serious and could jeopardize the patient's life.

Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by an appendicolith, parasites or any other cause, determines the overgrowth of bacteria within the intestinal segment, which in a few hours determines the invasion of the appendiceal wall and finally by those perforation leading to peritonitis (severe infection spread of germs inside the abdomen). In general the time required to transform an acute appendicitis into peritonitis varied between 36 and 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

The clinic typically is characterized by abdominal pain that initially referred to the epigastrium (pit of the stomach) and moves in a few hours to the right iliac fossa (right side of the abdomen below the navel), it is a continuous and progressive pain. More than half of children have bilious vomiting that may be. Usually there is a temperature rise without reaching 38 ° C. Other minor symptoms include anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, constipation, rectal tenesmus (desire to defecate without success) and less frequent diarrhea or urinary discomfort. In children, this atypical clinical presentation is the lower the patient's age and general clinical variability is greater than in adults.

On examination (which is a fundamental diagnostic criteria, if not the most important) the characteristic is tenderness in the area of defense occurrence appendicular muscle with first right and then generalized (risk of peritonitis). The irritation of the peritoneum is very important data.