What are the symptoms of having a fecal stone in the appendix?
Disease description:
I often experience occasional pain in my lower abdomen, and I have to strain a lot during bowel movements. I'm worried it might be related to my appendix. Could you please tell me, what are the symptoms of having a fecalith in the appendix?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Appendicitis is a common abdominal condition that may lead to acute appendicitis when there is an obstruction inside the appendix, especially caused by a fecalith. Typical symptoms of appendicitis due to fecalith obstruction include:
1. Abdominal pain: Patients usually experience pain in the lower right abdomen. The pain may initially be mild but gradually worsens. It can be either intermittent or constant, and may intensify during movement or coughing. The pain typically localizes near McBurney's point, which is located at the intersection of the outer and middle thirds of the line connecting the navel to the right anterior superior iliac spine.
2. Nausea and vomiting: Due to inflammatory irritation of the intestines, patients may feel nauseated and have a tendency to vomit. Vomiting usually occurs acutely and often accompanies severe abdominal pain.
3. Abdominal tenderness: During physical examination, the patient experiences significant pain when the doctor presses on the lower right abdomen.
4. Loss of appetite: Patients may lose interest in food.
5. Fever: Body temperature may rise, indicating an inflammatory response within the body.
If appendicitis caused by a fecalith is suspected, prompt medical attention is necessary.
