APPENDICITIS – EXAMINATION OF THE RECTUM
Pressing in the left lower area of the abdomen may cause pain in the right side. It is always necessary to carry out an examination of the rectum in cases of suspected appendicitis. Pain is felt in the abdomen when the examining finger presses on the inflamed appendix.
Although appendicitis may occur at any age, it is rare before the age of two and uncommon in the elderly. In the very young, the very old and in pregnancy it may be difficult to diagnose.
In a condition so common, it is surprising just how difficult, at times, appendicitis may be to diagnose. Chest infections like pneumonia, gallbladder attacks, kidney stones or infection, gastro-enteritis and pelvic inflammation in women may all mimic appendicitis and cause confusion.
The acute attack may spontaneously subside over one or two days or grumble on for several days. An attack may develop and then rapidly progress so that operation becomes a necessity.
The attacks of acute inflammation may be recurrent and, although each attack in itself is not severe enough to warrant operation, both the sufferer and his doctor may decide “enough is enough” and elect to have the appendix removed, either during the next attack or at some more convenient time.
*206/71/1*
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.