Appendicitis is a digestive disorder manifested by a blockage of the connection between the appendix and the rest of the intestines. The inflammation can be caused by infections in the body or by foreign bodies in the appendicle lumen. If not removed in time by surgery, it can perforate and lead to major infections spread in the entire abdomen. Its function is negligible for the human body but frequent cases of its inflammation are due to its role in the cellular mediated immunity against external or internal aggression.
The most common symptoms of appendicitis are: 1. Pain in the hypogastrum moving down to the right ileac fossa. 2. Nausea, vomiting and anorexia 3. Fever Other signs like pain during urination, pain in the back and rectum, diarrhea or constipation can also be present; major abdominal cramps can sometimes force the patient to reach medical help. The most proper advice for these symptoms is to stop eating and drinking and not take painkillers by any chance. Annoying this could cause the increase of inflammation and could lead to perforation.
The patient suspected of appendicitis must wait for the doctors consult and diagnosing before acting against the symptoms.
Although diagnosing of appendicitis may seem the easiest thing to do, it can be most tricky in some situations, as symptoms highly resemble to complains caused by other digestive disorders. Immediately consulting a doctor and the emergency removal of the appendix can spear everyone a great deal of problems.
Assembling manifestations can be caused by: infections of the intestinal or urinary tract, gastritis or tubo-ovarian problems in women. In order to establish a precise diagnosis the surgeon must take blood and urine tests, and fulfill a complete rectal and abdominal examination.
The treatment of appendicitis is strictly surgical and resumes in the removal of the appendix and draining of a possible formed abscess. The operation is called appendectomy. Antibiotics must be administered before and after surgery to prevent a potential peritonitis. Two methods of removing the appendix are available to surgeons today: classical surgery or laparoscopic surgery; the last mentioned one is more advantageous because of the smaller incision needed and also because the patient recovers faster. In two or three weeks the patient will return to his normal life style independent on the method of appendectomy.
Some particular symptoms of post-operator complications should make the patient see a doctor right away: fever, vomiting, positive blood tests in vomit or urine, abdominal pain and discomfort, faintness and weaken forces. A proper treatment is very important for a quick recover.
Although appendicitis is known as a risk-free disease, it still causes death because of late presentation to hospital. Cases of death during appendectomy are due to the late discovery of the appendicitis. If you show symptoms assembling the ones described, you must see a doctor as soon as possible.
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