Acute appendicitis: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is acute appendicitis?

Acute appendicitis or appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a narrow, finger-like organ that branches from the first part of the large intestine to the right side of the stomach. Even though the appendix is an organ whose function is not known, it can develop disease. Acute appendicitis is the leading cause of stomach surgery worldwide.

If not treated promptly, it is possible that the inflamed appendix can rupture, passing feces / feces into the abdominal cavity. This can potentially lead to a dangerous infection (peritonitis), but the infection can mask and form an abscess.

How common is acute appendicitis?

This condition can occur in patients of any age. Appendicitis affects men more often than women, and can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis?

Common symptoms of acute appendicitis are:

Mild discomfort around the navel (at the start of the attack), moving to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
Pain that is sharp, localized and persists within hours
Pain that gets worse with movement, deep breaths, coughing, sneezing, walking or being touched
Constipation and unable to pass gas, possibly diarrhea
Low fever (below 39 degrees Celsius). A high fever (possibly accompanied by chills) may indicate an appendicitis abscess
Fast heart rate
Swelling of the stomach (in the late stages)
Abdominal pain stops suddenly after other symptoms appear, indicating that the appendix has ruptured
Nausea and vomiting (in certain cases)
Loss of appetite
Coated tongue and bad breath
Urinating sick and often
There is blood in the urine
Swelling of the stomach or bloating, especially in babies

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes acute appendicitis?

Appendicitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, although the cause is unknown.
The appendix may be obstructed with stool clots, calcium salts and faeces (fecolites) or tumors (rarely), causing inflammation and infection.
Swelling and inflammation leading to infection, blood clots or a rupture of the appendix.
Lymphoid hyperplasia is associated with inflammatory and infectious diseases such as Crohn's disease, measles, amebiasis, gastroenteritis, respiratory infections and mononucleosis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for acute appendicitis?

There are many risk factors for acute appendicitis, namely:

Have a family history of appendicitis
Men
Between 10 and 19 years old
Have a long-lasting inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Research also shows that a "western" diet, which is high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, can increase the likelihood of developing appendicitis. Without enough fiber, bowel movements slow down, increasing the risk of appendicitis blockage.

There is also a link between air pollution - in particular, high ozone levels - and appendicitis. Experts aren't sure why air pollution is linked to an increased risk of appendicitis, but it's possible that high ozone levels increase intestinal inflammation or irritate intestinal microbes.

Research shows that appendicitis is more common in the summer months, possibly due to a combination of increased air pollution, gastrointestinal infections and high consumption of fast food and foods high in carbohydrates and low in fiber.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is acute appendicitis diagnosed?

A physical examination is needed to rule out other diseases that produce other symptoms that mimic the symptoms of appendicitis. The doctor will start by doing a physical exam. Physical examination looks for sensitivity in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. If you are pregnant, it may hurt more. If a hole occurs, your stomach can become hard and swollen.

A swollen and stiff stomach is a symptom that should be discussed with a doctor immediately.

Apart from seeing the sensitivity, the doctor will perform several tests for appendicitis:

Urinalysis can eliminate urinary tract infections or kidney stones
Pelvic examination can confirm that the woman does not have reproductive problems, and can eliminate other pelvic infections
A pregnancy test can rule out an ectopic pregnancy
Abdominal imaging can determine if you have an abscess or other complications. This can be done with an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan.
A chest X-ray can rule out right lower lobe pneumonia, which sometimes has symptoms resembling appendicitis.

What are the treatments for acute appendicitis?

The treatment for appendicitis varies. In rare cases, appendicitis can get better without surgery. Treatment can only involve antibiotics and a fluid diet.

In most cases, surgery will be required. The type of surgery will depend on the details of your case.

If you have an abscess that hasn't burst, you may be given antibiotics first. Then, the doctor will remove the abscess with a tube that is inserted through the skin. Surgery will remove the appendix after you receive treatment for the infection.

If you have an abscess or appendix that has ruptured, surgery is needed immediately. The operation to remove the appendix is called an appendectomy.

Doctors can perform this procedure as an open surgery or through a laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is less invasive, resulting in faster recovery times. However, open surgery may be needed if you have an abscess or peritonitis.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat acute appendicitis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with acute appendicitis:

Avoid strenuous activity. If the appendectomy was done through a laparoscopy, limit your activities to 3-5 days. If you have an open appendectomy, limit your activities for 10-14 days. Always ask your doctor about restrictions on activity and when you can return to normal activities after surgery.
Hold your stomach when you cough. Place a pillow on your stomach and apply pressure before you cough, laugh or move to help reduce pain.
Call your doctor if your pain medication doesn't help. Feeling sick can put additional stress on your body and slow down the healing process. If you still feel pain even after using pain relievers, contact your doctor.

Get up and move when you are ready. Start slowly and increase activity when you feel ready. Start with a little walk.
Sleep when you feel tired. When your body is recovering, you may feel more sleepy than usual. Just relax and rest when you need it.
Discuss returning to work or school with your doctor. You can return to work when you are ready. Children can return to school in less than a week after surgery. Children should wait 2-4 weeks to return to strenuous activities, such as exercise classes.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.