What is the Difference Between Appendicitis and Ovarian Cyst

The key difference between appendicitis and ovarian cyst is that appendicitis is a medical condition due to inflammation of the appendix, while ovarian cyst is a medical condition due to the development of a sac filled with fluid on or inside the ovary. 

A problem in the digestive tract mainly causes abdominal pain. However, it can also be caused by other abdominal organ problems, such as kidneys, and large blood vessel problems, such as aorta. Therefore, sharp pain in the abdomen can be a symptom of many underlying conditions. The common causes of abdominal pain may include gallstones, appendicitis, ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infection, Crohn’s disease, indigestion, gas, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcers, kidney infection, lactose intolerance, constipation, hernia, and ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, appendicitis and ovarian cysts are two different medical conditions that cause abdominal pain.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Appendicitis  
3. What is Ovarian Cyst
4. Similarities – Appendicitis and Ovarian Cyst
5. Appendicitis vs. Ovarian Cyst in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Appendicitis vs. Ovarian Cyst

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is due to an inflamed and swollen appendix. The appendix is a 31/2-inch long tissue tube extending from the large intestine. It is located on the lower side of the body. The appendix has specialized tissues that make antibodies. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix gets blocked by stool, a foreign body, or cancer. The classic symptoms of appendicitis may include pain in the lower right belly, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, swollen belly, fever,  inability to pass gas, dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower belly, painful peeing, vomiting before belly pain starts, severe cramping, constipation, or diarrhoea.

Appendicitis can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation, examination of the abdomen, urine test, rectal examination, blood test, CT scan, and ultrasound. Furthermore, appendicitis is treated with medications such as pain medications, antibiotics, draining of the abscess of pus and fluid, and a surgery called appendectomy.

What is an Ovarian Cyst?

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the ovary. It can be caused by ovulation, abnormal cell production, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Normally, an ovarian cyst affects only 1 in every 25 women at some point in their life. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include pelvic pain, pain during sex, difficulty emptying the bowels, a frequent urgency to urinate, heavy periods or irregular periods, bloating, swollen belly, feeling full only eating a little, and difficulty getting pregnant.

Ovarian cysts can be diagnosed through physical symptom evaluation, pelvic examination, ultrasound, and laparoscopy. Furthermore, treatment options for ovarian cysts may include ovarian cyst medications such as medications containing hormones like birth control pills to stop ovulation and prevent future cyst formation and surgeries like ovarian cystectomy and laparotomy.

What are the Similarities Between Appendicitis and Ovarian Cyst?

• Appendicitis and ovarian cysts are two different medical conditions that cause abdominal pain.
• Both conditions are more common in adults.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation.
• They can be treated through specific medications and surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Appendicitis and Ovarian Cyst?

Appendicitis is a medical condition due to inflammation of the appendix, while an ovarian cyst is a medical condition due to a sac filled with fluid that forms on or inside an ovary. Thus, this is the key difference between appendicitis and ovarian cyst. Furthermore, the risk factors for appendicitis include a family history of appendicitis, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and excessive use of steroids. On the other hand, the risk factors for ovarian cysts include hormonal problems, pregnancy, endometriosis, severe pelvic infection, and previous ovarian cysts.

The infographic below presents the differences between appendicitis and ovarian cyst in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Appendicitis vs. Ovarian Cyst

Appendicitis and ovarian cysts are two different medical conditions that cause abdominal pain. Appendicitis is a medical condition due to inflammation of the appendix, while an ovarian cyst is a medical condition due to a sac filled with fluid that forms on or inside an ovary. Furthermore, appendicitis occurs when the appendix gets blocked because of stool, a foreign body, or cancer, whereas ovarian cyst occurs due to ovulation, abnormal cell production, endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). So, this summarizes what is the difference between appendicitis and ovarian cyst.

Reference:

1. “Appendicitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Ovarian Cysts (Functional Cyst on Ovary): Symptoms, Types, Treatment.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Depiction of a person suffering from Appendicitis” By Myupchar.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “A woman suffering from Ovarian Cysts” By Myupchar (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia