Appendicitis can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, partly because the symptoms can vary between people and change over time, and partly because similar pain may be experienced by those suffering from other conditions. These include:
There are no medical tests for appendicitis, so the doctor must base their diagnosis on physical examination along with the patient's description of the pain. Appendicitis is often suspected if the patient has a constant pain in the lower right hand side of their abdomen, especially if they also feel nauseous.
During the physical examination, the doctor will usually examine the abdomen, applying gentle pressure on the area. When this pressure is suddenly released, appendicitis will cause a sharp pain as the abdomen rebounds. The doctor may also examine the rectum or vagina with a gloved finger to check for tenderness around the area of the appendix.
If the doctor is in any doubt, they may run a number of tests to rule out other causes of symptoms. These may include:
- Blood tests to check for a high white blood cell count, which may indicate an infection.
- Urine tests to look for a urinary tract infection or a kidney stone.
- A CT (computerized tomography) scan, X-ray or ultrasound scan to find other causes for the pain.
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