Patient's question:
I am 35 years old. A few days ago, I went to the hospital for a physical examination. The doctor said that my current condition is appendicitis. But I haven't felt any discomfort, I suspect that there might be an error in the examination. What are the symptoms of appendicitis?Doctor's answer:
Chronic appendicitis presents with varying degrees of abdominal pain, recurrent chronic inflammation that persists over time, leading to pelvic congestion, fibrosis of connective tissues, and adhesion between pelvic organs. Patients may experience symptoms such as lower abdominal heaviness, pain, and lumbosacral discomfort, which fluctuate in severity. These are often accompanied by increased leukorrhea, lower back pain, and menstrual irregularities, worsening during menstruation or after physical exertion. During gynecological examinations, tenderness, thickening, or painful masses may be observed in one or both adnexal regions, with leukocyte counts either elevated or normal.It is particularly noteworthy that some symptoms of appendicitis may not be very obvious. However, since the fallopian tubes and ovaries are adjacent, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two when inflammation occurs. Chronic inflammation of the fallopian tubes, if left untreated for a long time, can lead to fibrosis, thickening, and obstruction of the tubes, as well as adhesion to surrounding tissues. If both ends of the fallopian tubes are blocked, it can result in hydrosalpinx. If the hydrosalpinx penetrates into an ovary that is adhered to other tissues, it may form a hydrosalpinx-cyst of the ovary. This is a major cause of infertility after marriage or ectopic pregnancy.