Appendicitis usually is suspected on the basis of a patient’s history and physical examination. The symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions, which is why people who experience possible signs of appendicitis should see their doctor immediately. Straightening out the leg causes pain because it stretches these muscles, while flexing the hip activates the iliopsoas and therefore also causes pain.
In the classic description, abdominal pain may be accompanied with nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and fever. Not everyone experiences these other symptoms, but knowing what they are will help to recognize appendicitis if they do appear. An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix through an incision in your abdomen that can be several inches long. Most cases of appendicitis occur between October and May.