Which symptom would likely indicate the presence of appendicitis rather than another gastrointestinal condition?

Nausea and vomiting are highly indicative of appendicitis, as they are common manifestations of this condition. When the appendix becomes inflamed, it often leads to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in feelings of nausea and the act of vomiting. This symptom is especially significant when accompanied by pain in the lower right abdomen, which is a hallmark of appendicitis.

While nausea and vomiting can occur in other gastrointestinal conditions, the presence of these symptoms, alongside abdominal pain that typically starts around the navel and then shifts to the right lower quadrant, makes appendicitis a more likely diagnosis. Other symptoms, such as diarrhea, heartburn, and constipation, may occur with various gastrointestinal disorders but do not specifically point toward appendicitis as strongly as nausea and vomiting do.