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Appendicitis: symptoms and signs. Video
The appendix is a vermiform appendix of the cecum 5 to 15 cm long, which protects it from bacteria. It is located on the border between the small and large intestines. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. The disease can occur in almost any person, regardless of age. In this case, surgical intervention in a hospital is indicated. How to recognize appendicitis? What are his symptoms?
Appendicitis: symptoms and signs
Almost anyone can get appendicitis. There may be several reasons: for example, prolonged retention of feces in the cecum, accumulation of small worms in the appendix, blockage of the lumen of the appendix by a foreign body swallowed with food. This disease is also facilitated by the lethargy of the large intestines, a tendency to constipation.
Appendicitis can be acute or chronic
The acute stage is usually accompanied by abdominal pain on the right. It seems to the patient that the whole abdomen aches, but after 5-6 hours the sensations will be concentrated in a certain area. They can be sudden or build up gradually. Body temperature rises to 37,5–38,5 ° C or remains unchanged. At the first sign, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will take blood tests for the number of leukocytes and a urine sample, determine which side of the patient’s appendicitis, and prescribe the necessary therapy. If measures are not taken in time, the inflammation will go into the peritoneal cavity and peritonitis will develop. Pus can break through the intestinal wall and germs can spread inside the abdominal cavity.
Chronic appendicitis often develops after an acute attack, but sometimes it can occur on its own. It manifests itself with more or less constant abdominal pain on the right or in the epigastric region, sometimes nausea. In this case, the removal of the appendix is shown. The pain increases with coughing, laughing, any other muscle tension.
X-rays are rarely used to diagnose appendicitis of any form, more often they resort to ultrasound examination
If the process is not visible on the screen, then it is not appendicitis. The inflamed organ is clearly visible in the form of a tube about 7 cm long, which is surrounded by fluid. A qualified specialist will immediately make the correct diagnosis. Altered tissues of the peritoneum and an enlarged appendix can also be determined using computed tomography, but not all clinics have the opportunity to conduct this examination. Laparoscopy helps a lot. In fact, this is one of the most reliable methods for determining appendicitis that are available in medicine.
Appendicitis signs and treatment
Appendicitis is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. First of all, aching or paroxysmal pain, nausea, vomiting, apathy for food, the appearance of loose stools. Malaise and weakness appear, blood pressure rises in hypertensive patients.
A patient with appendicitis, when walking, bends to the right side, holds the disturbing half of the abdomen with his hand, and there is often a pronounced grimace of pain on his face. An equally important symptom is the rigidity of the abdominal wall, its change when pressed.
If you put your hand on your stomach, you can feel a seal or, conversely, feel a depression
Signs of appendicitis in children
Symptoms in children are slightly different from those experienced by adults. The incidence increases after 2 years, when the cecum begins to form with an asymmetric growth of its walls. It is very important to eliminate the child’s fear of the operation, since school and preschool children are often afraid of doctors, therefore they hide the symptoms until the last.
The disease begins abruptly. The body temperature rises to 38,5–39,5 ° C, severe abdominal pains do not allow to be in one position, vomiting becomes indomitable, often coinciding with diarrhea. The muscles of the anterior abdominal wall in the right iliac region are tense, the doctor diagnoses this by palpation. The examination of the affected area is carried out very carefully so as not to cause additional suffering to the person.
Even with minor abdominal pain, you should consult a doctor, call an ambulance, or visit the nearest clinic. This is the only way to avoid complications in the form of peritonitis or other unpleasant consequences.
The child does not sleep well, is capricious and refuses to eat. Against the background of malaise, a runny nose and loose stools may appear. Young children may cry and squat. To diagnose appendicitis at home, distract the child’s attention by pressing lightly on the right side of the abdomen. If the baby has bent his legs, most likely, he has an inflammatory process. In children, the cecum is located slightly higher than in adults. Doctors study the rigidity of the appendix with the help of special devices and manipulations and, with its unchanged state, exclude appendicitis.
After diagnosis, it is necessary to perform surgical intervention. As a rule, this happens in a hospital with the help of qualified specialists. Doctors carefully perform the operation, and then take the patient to the intensive care unit. If everything goes well, the person is discharged on the 10th day. In case of side effects or complications, the patient is left for a longer period with the obligatory appointment of the necessary treatment.