A ruptured appendix, how dangerous is this condition?

Appendicitis (appendicitis) causes inflammation of the appendix (appendix). If left untreated, the appendix may burst. This condition must get medical attention immediately because it can cause death. Check out the following explanation.

The cause of the appendix may rupture

The cause of a ruptured appendix is not known with certainty. However, health experts argue that this may originate from an infection that triggers inflammation of the digestive system, specifically in the intestines. The reason is, your intestines are home to good and bad bacteria.

A clogged appendix can invite bad bacteria to gather, multiply, and eventually cause infection.

The immune system in the body will fight infection and produce pus, which is a collection of dead bacteria, tissue cells and white blood cells.

This infection will cause the pressure on the appendix to increase. As a result, the blood flowing through the walls of the organs decreases so that the intestinal tissue will lack blood and die slowly.

Tears or punctures will form in the dead tissue. This increases the pressure in the tissues, which can push bacteria and pus out of the abdominal cavity.

So, the meaning of a ruptured appendicitis, is not described as a balloon burst. However, it is more like the discharge of bacteria and pus from the abdominal cavity.

The appendix rupture usually occurs within the first 24 hours after the initial appendicitis symptoms appear. The risk will increase, especially in 48-72 hours after symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of a ruptured appendix

In order to get prompt treatment, you need to watch for signs of an appendix rupture. Here are among them.

1. Unbearable stomach pain

The appendix usually causes symptoms of severe pain that extends from the navel to the lower right side of the abdomen. If the inflamed appendix has ruptured, the pain can spread throughout the abdominal area.

This symptom of a ruptured appendix will worsen when you walk, cough, or pass a bump in the car, the entire wall of your stomach can become inflamed. If this is the pain you feel, the appendix may be nearly or have ruptured.

2. Fever

Fever is common in people with ruptured appendicitis. In fact, fever itself is a normal immune response that occurs when fighting infection and is trying to reduce the number of bacteria invading the body.

These symptoms can include body temperature reaching more than 38.3 degrees Celsius, chills, sweating, and increased heart rate in patients.

3. Nausea, vomiting, and no appetite

Nausea and vomiting until loss of appetite are the next signs that the appendicitis has ruptured.

Appendicitis sometimes affects the digestive tract and nervous system causing diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. You also certainly don't have an appetite when the digestive system goes wrong.

4. Frequent urination

The position of the appendix is lower in the pelvis and fairly close to the bladder. When the bladder comes in contact with an inflamed appendix, it will also become inflamed.

As a result, you will urinate more frequently and it may be painful.

5. Dazed or restless

If you are confused or disoriented (dazed) along with other symptoms of appendicitis, this may be a sign the appendix has ruptured.

The bacteria that infect your appendix may have entered the bloodstream, causing sepsis or blood poisoning.

Sepsis occurs because chemicals from the body's immune system enter blood vessels to fight infection trigger an inflammatory response in the body. This can be fatal.

The infection can get worse and deplete a lot of oxygen, leaving the brain unable and unable to function normally.

The right way to deal with a ruptured appendix

The condition of an appendix that has ruptured must be treated with an appendectomy. However, the type of surgery will be adjusted to how severe the patient's condition is.

Below are the various actions that the medical team usually takes to treat appendicitis.

Open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy

An open appendectomy is a medical procedure, aka surgery to remove appendicitis. You do this by making a large cut across the lower right side of the stomach. Once the problematic tissue is removed, the open wound will be sutured back immediately.

Laparoscopic appendectomy can also be a treatment for a ruptured appendix. This procedure is done by making a small incision, and inserting a special device equipped with a small camera to see the condition of inflammation in the large intestine.

Next, the affected part of the intestine will be cut and cleaned. The small incisions that are made will be stitched up immediately.

Surgery for a ruptured appendix accompanied by the formation of an abscess

In some patients, if the appendix is not treated properly, it can lead to the formation of an abscess, which is a pus-filled lump. Before surgery, the doctor will first see the abscess condition through ultrasound or CT scan.

If it is large enough, the abscess will be drained first. The doctor will find a safe location to create a gap in the abscess to allow the pus to drain. Usually this gap is made in the side of the stomach, anal canal, or front of the stomach.

After the abscess dries up, antibiotics for appendicitis are also given to prevent infection and complications after appendectomy. Consumption of this drug will later be part of the recovery at home.

The first dose of antibiotic is given by injection in a vein. Furthermore, antibiotics are given orally (oral drugs). The drug is taken for 2 - 4 weeks, depending on the severity of the abscess you have. After that, an appendectomy will be performed.

Surgery for a ruptured appendix accompanied by intestinal obstruction

Sometimes inflammation in the rupture of the appendix causes scar tissue in the intestine. As a result, the flow of food that will pass through the intestine will be blocked.

This blockage in the intestine is called an intestinal obstruction. When this condition occurs, usually the patient will experience yellowish green vomiting symptoms.

If the patient exhibits these symptoms, the doctor will recommend an X-ray or CT scan to determine the location of the intestinal obstruction. Next, the doctor will perform an open operation in the middle of the stomach.

The recovery process after a ruptured appendix

The recovery process after appendectomy takes 4 - 6 weeks. For a few days after the operation, you will be given painkillers.

Usually the drug given is paracetamol or ibuprofen. You may need other people or a wheelchair to get up or walk after surgery.

Due to the effects of surgery that can affect the performance of the intestines, you must follow an appropriate diet until your condition improves.

To make it easier, you can consult doctors and nutritionists about what foods should be consumed during the recovery period. Also ask when is the right time to start bathing.

Avoid any activity that could open the incision wound, for example, sports. Generally, exercise after surgery for a ruptured appendix is allowed within 4 - 6 weeks.