$Unique_ID{BRK01390}
$Pretitle{Digestive System}
$Title{Clues to Tell Diverticulitis From a Ruptured Appendix}
$Subject{diverticulitis appendicitis}
$Volume{I-12}
$Log{
Diverticulitis*0010101.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Clues to Tell Diverticulitis From a Ruptured Appendix


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QUESTION:  I know, from previous x-ray examinations that I have diverticulitis
which flares up from time to time.  However at each occasion, I am plagued by
the fear that I am going to have a rupture of my appendix.  Can you provide me
with any clues that would help me tell one condition from the other?

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ANSWER:  To the left, to the left, to the left, left, left!  Keep that in
mind!  It's probably the best way to tell whether you are having an
appendicitis attack or another attack of diverticulitis.  Frankly, I can
understand your confusion and fear about appendicitis versus diverticulitis.
Both diseases have the same symptoms:  abdominal pain, mild nausea, sometimes
vomiting and fever.  The biggest difference is that diverticulitis brings pain
on the left side of the body and appendicitis is always on the right side
(well almost always!  Some rare people have their intestines switched around,
but I think your doctor would have informed you of this had your x-rays
revealed the condition).  A diverticulitis attacks usually starts with a dull,
aching pain all over the abdomen and then it localizes in the lower left side.
If you move your bowels, the pain gets worse.  If, in the last few hours, you
had constipation and then suddenly diarrhea or vice versa, you're probably
experiencing diverticulitis.  (Contact your doctor to check for internal
bleeding.)  Also, with diverticulitis, you can hear bowel sounds from inside
the body.  Since you have a history of the disease, it is probably safe to say
that you should not suspect appendicitis whenever you have left-sided
abdominal pain.  However, if you are one of the few diverticulitis patients
who has pain in the lower right side of the body (15 percent of diverticulitis
patients do), I would advise you not to take any chances and to contact your
doctor promptly whenever you have abdominal pain, particularly on your right
side.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
