Dorothy FarrarAppendicitis
Appendicitis is actually not an inflammation of the appendix at all . The colloquially used term appendicitis for appendicitis is not medically correct. Because with this disease, the appendix, a small sac on the appendix, is inflamed and not the appendix itself.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis causes pain in the lower right abdomen. The cecum is part of the large intestine and is located to the right below the navel. It is called the appendix because it ends blind; it is not a passage for the chyme, but only a kind of dead end at the large intestine.
A small appendix (appendix vermiformis) is attached to this cecum, which is between 5 and 10 cm long and has a diameter of 0.5 to 2 cm. When this appendix becomes inflamed, the doctor calls it appendicitis, and colloquially it is referred to as appendicitis.
To prevent the inflammation from spreading further into the abdomen, the appendix must be surgically removed as quickly as possible. Appendicitis is one of the most common abdominal diseases. It occurs more often in younger people than in older people.
causes
Appendicitis can be triggered by a variety of reasons. A common reason is constipation . The appendix can no longer empty itself, the feces accumulate in the appendix and finally inflame the tissue.But even without the occurrence of constipation, inflammation can occur. Inflammatory processes in other parts of the large or small intestine are then the cause, such as in Crohn’s disease , a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Bacterial infections, such as coliform bacteria, also cause appendicitis. It is also possible that foreign bodies, such as cherry stones, block the exit of the appendix and thus prevent emptying. Secretions form, which irritate the mucous membrane and ultimately trigger inflammation.
When to the doctor?
A doctor should be consulted for pain in the epigastric region that occurs without an apparent reason. If the symptoms increase in intensity, it is also necessary to consult a doctor. With appendicitis, discomfort develops in the lower abdomen and then moves to the right side. If there is pain when pressure is applied to the right side, there is cause for concern. If cramps occur in the side, a doctor should be consulted so that further examinations can be initiated.
A sudden severe pulling pain on the right side should be presented to a doctor immediately. In the event of vomiting, sudden diarrhea or acute cardiovascular problems, the symptoms must be clarified as soon as possible. If symptoms occur sporadically and repeatedly, they should be discussed with a doctor. If the loss of appetite leads to noticeable weight loss or an eating disorder, medical attention must be initiated. If you vomit after eating, you need help. If the existing symptoms spread, a doctor’s visit is also necessary.
If appendicitis persists, there is a risk of an appendix rupture. Since this is a life-threatening condition, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the symptoms persist for several days or if you feel generally unwell. A persistent feeling of pressure in the abdomen or intestines should be examined by a doctor.
symptoms and course
Appendicitis usually begins with sudden pain in the lower abdomen that spreads to the right side over time. When walking, the pain increases, when stretching the right leg, it gets a little weaker. The patient complains of loss of appetite and nausea , sometimes he also vomits. Both diarrhea and constipation are possible. Often the body temperature increases slightly and the pulse accelerates.
Younger children often feel pain throughout the abdomen rather than just the right side, making diagnosis more difficult. Diabetics often show almost no symptoms with appendicitis, which is by no means harmless. This is because the inflammation can spread unnoticed and cause an appendix rupture.
If the inflammation progresses further, pus forms in the appendix, which continues to multiply through the decomposed tissue. Finally, the pressure becomes so high that the appendix or the appendix bursts and pus flows with the intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. Since these are highly infectious, there is a risk of peritonitis (peritonitis).
Diagnose
In many cases, the appendicitis can be diagnosed by the doctor simply by describing the classic symptoms (pain due to concussion in the lower right abdomen, elevated temperature and nausea) and the physical examination. Typical of appendicitis are the reflex defense tension when palpating the abdomen and the ability to provoke pain via special pressure points (McBurney point, Lanz point).
If the defensive tension already extends to the entire abdomen, this can be an indication of the dangerous complication of peritonitis. A common test for appendicitis is the triggering of the so-called Blumberg sign – a characteristic release pain after pressure on the opposite side of the body. Ultrasound and CT are rarely used to diagnose appendicitis.
The laparoscopy provides an exact finding, which also has the advantage that an inflamed appendix can be removed in the same procedure and a possible gynecological cause of the symptoms can be discovered.
In a blood test , appendicitis is revealed by a slight increase in leukocytes (white blood cells) and an increased CRP value (C-reactive protein), which is an indicator of acute inflammation in the body – and thus also of appendicitis.
complications
The risk of complications from appendicitis is low if it is treated on time. If this is not the case, however, dramatic consequences are possible, which can even assume life-threatening proportions. A particularly feared complication of appendicitis is peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum). It is triggered by a perforation of the appendix, which takes place at a far advanced stage of the inflammation. It is possible that the appendix either breaks through or bursts open. In medicine, this is then referred to as a perforation. The rupture of the appendix causes the inflammation to spread to the peritoneum, for which the released bacteria are responsible.
Due to peritonitis, there is a risk of paralytic ileus. A reflex paralysis of the intestine occurs. As a result, bowel movements are no longer possible. Because the intestinal contents are no longer transported, this has an intestinal obstructionas a result. Another serious complication of appendicitis is perityphlitic abscess. If the perforation does not spread further because adjacent adhesions prevent it from doing so, a pus-filled cavity forms near the appendix. In addition, there is a risk of further encapsulated abscess cavities in the event of pus formation within the abdominal cavity. They mainly arise between the loops of the small intestine, below the liver and in the Douglas space. Patients who also suffer from Crohn’s disease can contract a fistula between the appendix and other regions of the intestine as a result of appendicitis or its surgical treatment.
treatment and therapy
Acute appendicitis must be treated in an operation. The inflamed appendix is removed (appendectomy). Surgery must be done quickly to stop the infection from spreading and to prevent breakthrough.
An appendectomy can be performed using two different surgical techniques. The older, classic method involves an abdominal incision under general anesthesia. The abdominal wall is opened with a small incision about 5 cm long, the appendix is cut out and the appendix is sutured.The much more common method nowadays is the minimally invasive procedure, also known as keyhole surgery. The surgeon works through the abdominal wall with special surgical instruments.
A laparoscope (a small camera) is inserted through a small incision in the navel area, and the surgeon uses the instruments to access the abdomen through two further incisions. The operation is then carried out under visual control through the camera, it is also called laparoscopy or laparoscopy .
prevention
Preventing appendicitis is not possible. The only important thing is to consult a doctor quickly if appendicitis is suspected.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.