The key difference between kidney stones and appendicitis is that kidney stones are a medical condition due to crystal formation in the urine and their build-up in the kidneys, while appendicitis is a medical condition arising due to the inflamed and infected appendix, which is a part of the large intestine.
Normally, stomach or abdominal pain occurs due to gas, bloating, constipation, indigestion, and stomach flu. However, abdominal pain can also be due to serious conditions such as kidney stones, appendicitis, stomach ulcers, gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatitis, or hernia, and they need medical intervention.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Kidney Stones
3. What is Appendicitis
4. Similarities – Kidney Stones and Appendicitis
5. Kidney Stones vs Appendicitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Kidney Stones vs Appendicitis
What are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are a medical condition due to varying-sized crystal formation in the urine and their build-up in the kidneys. Kidney stones are also known as calculi, nephrolithiasis, and urolithiasis. They are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. Kidney stones are formed when urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid than the fluid content. At the same time, kidney stones can occur when the urine does not contains substances that prevent the crystal from sticking together.
The symptoms of kidney stones condition include severe, sharp pain in the side and back, pain below the ribs, pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity, burning sensation or pain while urinating, pink, red or brown urine, cloudy or bad-smelling urine, a persistent need to urinate, urinating in small amounts, nausea and vomiting, fever and chills.
Figure 01: Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can be diagnosed through blood testing, urine testing, imaging testing (CT-scan, X-ray), and analysis of passed stones. Furthermore, treatment options for kidney stones include drinking water, pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen sodium), medical therapy such as alpha-blockers (tamsulosin and dutasteride), using sound waves to break up stones, surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney, parathyroid gland surgery, and using a scope to remove stones.
What is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a medical condition due to an inflamed and infected appendix. The appendix is a part of the large intestine. It is a finger-shaped pouch that projects from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. The signs and symptoms of appendicitis include sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower abdomen, sudden pain that begins around the navel and often moves to the lower right abdomen, pain that gets worse when coughing, walking, or during other movements, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhoea, abdominal bloating, and flatulence.
Figure 02: Appendicitis
Appendicitis can be diagnosed through a physical exam to assess the pain, blood test, urine test, and imaging test (X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, MRI, and CT-scan). Furthermore, the treatment option for appendicitis is the surgery that removes the appendix (appendectomy).
What are the Similarities Between Kidney Stones and Appendicitis?
- Kidney stones and appendicitis are two serious medical conditions that give rise to stomach pain.
- Both medical conditions are abdominal conditions.
- They may show similar symptoms.
- Both medical conditions may be diagnosed through blood tests and urine tests.
- They can be treated through surgery.
What is the Difference Between Kidney Stones and Appendicitis?
Kidney stones are a medical condition due to the varying-sized crystal formation in the urine and their build-up in the kidneys, while appendicitis is a medical condition that is due to the inflamed and infected appendix. This is the key difference between kidney stones and appendicitis. Furthermore, kidney stones are a medical condition associated with the urinary system, while appendicitis is a medical condition associated with the digestive system.
The following table summarizes the difference between kidney stones and appendicitis.
Summary – Kidney Stones vs Appendicitis
Kidney stones and appendicitis are two serious medical conditions that are responsible for stomach or abdominal pain. Kidney stones are a medical condition due to the varying-sized crystal formation in the urine and their build-up in the kidneys. On the other hand, appendicitis is a medical condition due to an inflamed and infected appendix. This is the key difference between kidney stones and appendicitis.
Reference:
1. “Appendicitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Kidney Stones.” Healthline, Healthline Media.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blausen 0595 KidneyStones” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Depiction of a person suffering from Appendicitis” By Myupchar (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia