The content of the article
In the body of every person from birth there is an appendix. This is a small branch from the colon, which is a pocket. Since the organ is hollow, the remains of feces, various bacteria, microorganisms can accumulate in it. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis. Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases that requires surgical intervention. Adnexal inflammation can be treated conservatively, but this is extremely rare. It is much simpler and more reliable to simply remove the shoot and forget about its existence. After all, it does not carry any vital function, but with peritonitis it can lead to blood poisoning and death.
Why does appendicitis occur?
Here are some factors that can cause inflammation of the appendix.
- Inflammation may begin due to an infection that has spread from other organs. For example, with purulent tonsillitis and sepsis, the bacterium can descend into the tissue of the process and begin to multiply there, activating the inflammatory process.
- If the passage to the appendix is blocked by feces, then the contents will begin to stagnate, rot and lead to illness.
- Statistics show that people who eat a lot of meat suffer from appendicitis more often. This applies to all protein products - their excess leads to inflammation of the appendix. Interestingly, during hunger and serious wars, appendicitis patients became much smaller.
- Sometimes the appendix itself and its special form can cause stagnation of the contents. With individual bends, stool can enter the process, which is then difficult to bring out.
- Often, inflammation occurs due to a decrease in immunity, when even small bacteria can cause a serious inflammatory process.
- Sometimes infection is transmitted through neighboring organs. This is especially noticeable in women. In this case, the appendix picks up inflammation from the uterine region.
- Foreign objects can also be a source of inflammation. Often, a bone from a berry, peel of seeds, a fish bone can cause appendicitis. Items that are not digested easily fall into the hollow process, and the process of decay begins.
These are the main causes of inflammation. Appendicitis is insidious in that it can break through, leading to serious consequences. If a person does not get on the operating table three hours after peritonitis, it is unlikely to save him. This once again confirms the need and importance of a quick visit to a doctor. But what symptoms may indicate appendicitis? When should you call an ambulance immediately?
How does appendicitis hurt?
The very first and main symptom is pain in the abdomen. Pain sensations in appendicitis are characterized by a change in their location. First, the middle abdomen hurts, in the navel area or slightly higher. The patient may think that he has begun intestinal colic or aggravated gastritis. After a few hours, the pain drops a little lower in the right side. The patient often experiences “floating” pain, that is, cannot accurately determine its position. Often this is a fundamental factor for the ambulance team. Such symptoms indicate the need for urgent transportation of the patient to the surgical department.
The nature of the pain may be different. It grows, then disappears, then intensifies, then releases. Appendicitis can be acute and chronic, although the latter is rare.Acute appendicitis is characterized by severe pain, to relieve it, a person lies on his right side and presses his knees to his chest. Chronic appendicitis can last for years, and is characterized by minor pulling and aching pains. Often, appendicitis increases when walking, coughing, and abrupt movements. If the pain has passed, this is not a reason for joy. Perhaps the appendix has broken and now the body is infected.
The pain with appendicitis is quite sharp, it is difficult to endure. Often, pain leads to loss of consciousness. If the pain intensifies on the left side and weakens when a person lies on the right side of the body, this is another reliable sign of inflammation of the appendix. For home diagnostics, you need to do the following. Place the person on a flat surface. Press lightly on the stomach on the right side. If acute piercing pain has appeared, from which the patient may even cry out, there should be no doubt. Urgent need to go to the hospital.
How to determine appendicitis at home
You need to understand that abdominal pain can be not only with appendicitis. Some diseases of the internal organs have similar symptoms. So what changes in the body are characteristic for inflammation of the appendix?
- Fever. In chronic appendicitis, there may be a slight increase that lasts for a long time (37 degrees). In acute appendicitis, the inflammatory process in the body gives a high temperature, in children - above 40 degrees. Hyperthermia should be considered if there are no other symptoms, such as coughing, red throat, or a runny nose.
- Many patients with appendicitis experience nausea and vomiting. Often, due to this, an intestinal infection or poisoning is diagnosed. In this case, you should pay attention to vomiting. With appendicitis, it does not get better after it. But with poisoning, vomiting brings at least some relief.
- Another symptom of appendicitis is an upset stool. Often with inflammation of the appendix, diarrhea or constipation occurs. With constipation, you can not take laxatives, they can increase inflammation.
- Due to gastrointestinal tract disorders, the patient loses appetite, weakness, dizziness, sweating and pallor of the skin appear.
Sometimes the process has an individual shape and is located closer to the back. In this case, pain can be given to the dorsal region and resemble renal colic.
Appendicitis in some groups of patients
There are certain groups of patients in whom appendicitis proceeds with various features.
- Pregnant Appendicitis often occurs in pregnant women. It is very pay attention to the place where it hurts. After all, the growing uterus compresses all organs, the appendix is usually pushed up and can hurt right under the ribs. Pregnant appendicitis is even more dangerous because it can harm not only the mother, but also the fetus. Diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant women has its own characteristics. After all, even a healthy woman experiences various aching and cutting pains during pregnancy, especially in the later stages. This is due to compression and deformation of many organs. In addition, nausea and vomiting can be confused with toxicosis.
- Children. Often appendicitis occurs in children, including small ones. Inflammation of the appendix in children under two years of age occurs due to immaturity of the digestive tract or due to the peculiarities of the individual structure. In children over seven years old, the symptoms are similar to adults. Appendicitis is difficult to diagnose in young children, because they cannot express the nature of the pain, they cannot show exactly where it hurts. Vagaries and crying can be a symptom of anything. However, some signs are still present. The kid with appendicitis involuntarily takes the pose of the least pain, that is, lies on his right side, draws his legs to his chest and curls up.
- The elderly. Appendicitis most often occurs in people of adulthood. But in this case, it is worse to diagnose. Due to the growth of the pain threshold, old people often endure pain for a long time, which can lead to the worst. In addition, one of their characteristic symptoms, like constipation, they perceive as normal.
Sometimes the classic symptoms of appendicitis differ in diabetics, obese people, patients who have undergone an organ transplant. Symptoms may also be different in HIV and oncology.
What to do if you suspect appendicitis
The first thing that may come to mind is to see a doctor. Appendicitis is not a joke. With a quick response, the operation to remove appendicitis is not difficult. But if you drag the time and bring it to a break, something irreparable can happen. It is especially urgent to respond if the patient has a chronic disease, if it is a pregnant woman, child or an elderly person. In such situations, only call the ambulance crew.
If the pain is moderate, it cannot be ignored either. Be sure to consult a therapist or gastroenterologist. Before going to the doctor, do not drink painkillers - they can hide the true picture. It is also very important to refuse food. Firstly, on an empty stomach, the diagnosis is more reliable. Secondly, the full intestines can accelerate peritonitis if you really have appendix inflammation.
Diagnosis of appendicitis
If there is a suspicion of inflammation of the appendix, a series of examinations is prescribed to the patient.
- The first is a simple survey. It is very important to tell the doctor in detail about all the changes in the body over the past few days. Even if it was a single vomiting the day before yesterday, and you sin on stale fish eaten the day before. Tell your doctor about the nature and intensity of the pain, about other sensations.
- Another important diagnostic method is to see a doctor. The doctor palpates the abdomen, carefully checking the area with various techniques. For example, if the muscles on the right side are tense, this is a sure sign of appendicitis.
- In addition, a general blood test is prescribed. A large number of white blood cells indicates an inflammatory process. Often, an analysis in dynamics is assigned - that is, two analyzes with a difference of one hour. If the number of leukocytes increases - urgently on the operating table.
- Another study that needs to be done to confirm appendicitis is an abdominal ultrasound. Usually it is fairly reliable and the inflamed process is clearly visible on it.
- Sometimes a colonoscopy is prescribed for the patient - the endoscope is inserted into the rectum and the appendix is examined. But this method of research has recently been applied less and less.
- Laporoscopy is the most reliable, convenient and effective way to "get" inside the abdominal region. A pair of thin holes are made on the stomach, through which an optical device is placed in the area of the colon. The study is carried out in the operating room, the patient is under anesthesia. If an inflamed appendix is found, it is immediately removed.
These are the main diagnostic and therapeutic measures that you may encounter with suspected appendicitis.
Modern scientists have proved that the appendix is still a necessary organ, since a huge number of useful intestinal bacteria live in its cavity. People after removal of the appendix recover longer after intestinal infections and poisoning. But if the process is inflamed, it still needs to be removed, and as soon as possible. Be vigilant and attentive to your health in order to live a long and happy life.
Video: how to distinguish appendicitis from other abdominal pains
Submit