What is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix. It is considered a medical emergency, and in most cases, requires removal of the inflamed appendix. Appendicitis has been described as the most-common cause of acute severe abdominal pain worldwide. Appendicitis is characterized, except in young children, by a localized pain in the lower-right-side of the patient’s abdomen. Because it is a medical emergency, untreated misdiagnosed appendicitis has a high mortality rate; and, unfortunately, in most cases where death occurs because of peritonitis and shock, the loss could have been avoided by a timely diagnosis and proper treatment, including, removal of the inflamed appendix.
How does Appendicitis Occur?
Appendicitis occurs, usually, due to a bowel-obstruction specific to the appendix, which subsequent to the obstruction, fills with mucus, and thereby swells, which causes pressure, and thereby results in occlusion of the small blood vessels, and thrombosis.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Appendicitis?
The signs and symptoms of appendicitis are akin to bowel disturbances, with pain, followed by vomiting, and finally a fever due to an inflamed appendix. If left untreated, the inflamed appendix will rupture resulting in leakage of the contents of the bowel into the peritoneum. This in turn will lead to peritonitis, an infection within the abdomen, which can result in sepsis and death.
To combat that from happening, by-and-large, the medical community has developed and follows a series of “signs” that are noted as being indicative of Appendicitis, which include, but are not limited to the following:
Rovsing’s sign: through the use of continuous deep palpitation from the left iliac fossa upwards (in a counterclockwise fashion), the physician elicits significant pain in the right iliac fossa;
Psoas sign: right lower-quadrant pain, which is elicited by passive extension of the right hip;
Obturator sign: spasms of the obturator internus muscle, which result from contact with the inflamed appendix;
Dunphy’s sign: pain in the lower quadrant accompanying coughing;
Rosenstein’s sign: pain in the right iliac region when laying on the left side;
Bartomier-Michelson’s sign: pain upon palpation in the right iliac region while lying on the left;
Legal Help for Appendicitis Malpractice Victims
If you or a loved one has suffered from Appendicitis, and believe that a doctor of hospital has failed to properly diagnose or treat the condition, contact an Appendicitis lawyer at the Finz firm now toll free at (855) TOP-FIRM or simply complete the Free Appendicitis Malpractice Injury Case Evaluation form to find out how the Finz firm can help you.
