In the right lowers abdomen , the small
intestine joins the large intestine. It connects to the side of the large
intestine, which means that a “blind” piece is formed at the beginning: the
so-called appendix. A worm-shaped appendage up to eight centimeters long
hangs from this appendix - the appendix . It
is inflamed with " appendicitis ". In
technical terms, the appendix is called "appendix vermiformis" from
which the scientific - and more correct - name for appendicitis arises:
Appendicitis ("itis" stands for "inflammation" in medical
language), in German "appendix inflammation". The cause of appendicitis is usually that food particles
press into the appendix and trigger inflammation there, because there is an
entrance but no exit. Appendicitis can occur at any
age . Usually, however, children between the ages of ten and
15 are affected, boys more often than girls. For more information, see the
chapter on appendicitis in children . Appendicitis is less
common in adults. The following factors can promote appendicitis:
- constipation
- Intestinal
infections
- Worm
infestation
- Foreign
bodies in the intestines
- Tumors
- a
mechanical kinking of the appendix
Appendicitis often begins with irritation of the appendix,
which often goes away on its own after a few days. An inflamed appendix,
on the other hand, does not go away on its own - it should be treated by a
doctor.
Doctors differentiate acute appendicitis from chronic appendicitis. If left untreated, acute
appendicitis can lead to complications, such as a ruptured appendix
("perforated appendicitis"). She should have an
operation. The chronic, also called "chronic recurrent
appendicitis", occurs again and again over the years and subsides on its
own after a few hours.
Appendicitis: symptoms
Doctors differentiate between simple and
"destructive" appendicitis. In the simple appendage, the
appendix is inflamed and swollen. The inflammation either subsides or
worsens as pus forms. Destructive appendicitis can then develop, in which
the intestinal tissue dissolves and the appendix can
rupture. It's life threatening, so it's important to take the symptoms
seriously. You can recognize appendicitis by these signs:
- pulling
or stabbing pain at the level of the navel (in pregnant women: in the
upper abdomen)
- later
pain in the right lower abdomen
- Pulling
the right leg (a pain-free lifting of the knee is not possible)
- Fever (often the inflammation runs without a
fever)
- Loss
of appetite
- Nausea
(often in children)
- Vomiting (usually not in the elderly)
- constipation
- Flatulence
- diarrhea
- increased
pulse
Where the pain occurs, right or left, can
vary. Children’s entire stomach hurts, while pregnant women are more
likely to have pain in the upper abdomen or back because the unborn child is
pushing out the intestines. In the elderly, appendicitis can even proceed
without pain. Sometimes appendicitis develops slowly and the typical symptoms
develop over days.
Anyone who has a stomachache and fears appendicitis often
looks for methods that can be used to test for yourself whether the appendix is
inflamed. For example, there is the “McBurny point” ,
which is pain-sensitive in appendicitis, in the middle of the
imaginary connecting line between the navel and the right hip bone, or the “Lanz point” in the right area between the two hip
bones. These pressure points do not cause severe pain in healthy people,
but they do in appendix patients.
Sufferers also experience severe pain when they are asked
to lift their right knee against resistance while standing ("psoas
sign"). However, as a layperson, you cannot recognize appendicitis
yourself, which is why a doctor's visit is essential if you have typical
symptoms.
Appendicitis: when to see
a doctor?
If an inflamed appendix breaks through, there is a danger to life . So, if you experience the above
symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor. In the case of acute
appendicitis in particular, it is important not to lose any time: after two
days at the latest, the risk of life-threatening complications such
as peritonitis is high.
Which doctor to consult first is irrelevant: it is
important that those affected visit one at all. If you have mild symptoms,
an appointment with your family doctor is sufficient. If the pain is
severe, it is sometimes better to go straight to a clinic. Don't wait until Monday if the symptoms show up over a
weekend!
Appendicitis: This is how the doctor makes the diagnosis
If a doctor suspects appendicitis after talking to the
patient (medical history) and an initial physical examination, he will take
blood from the patient. In the case of appendicitis, the blood values show
increased inflammation parameters. The doctor can use ultrasound to look at the
abdomen and see how far the appendicitis has progressed. The result is
decisive for the following therapy.
Appendicitis: The Right Treatment
In most cases, patients with appendicitis cannot avoid
surgery. "Appendectomy" is the technical term for surgical
appendectomy. For the doctors, it is a routine procedure that takes around
20 minutes. The operation is either "open" or via a " laparoscopy ", in which the surgeons gain access
to the inflamed appendix through tiny incisions in the skin. After such a
so-called laparoscopyonly tiny scars remain. In an open
operation, the doctors reach the inflamed appendix through an incision about
the length of a thumb on the right lower abdomen. You separate it from the
appendix, sew up the interface on the intestine and of course the cut in the
skin. In both types of surgery, the patient is under general anesthesia
and is given an antibiotic via a venous access to prevent infections.
How long a patient has to stay in hospital
after completing an appendix operation depends on the course of the
operation. If everything went well, patients are still in the hospital for
observation for a few days, if complications arise, a longer stay in the
hospital may be necessary.
In the past, doctors often treated appendicitis without
surgery. They gave the patients antibiotics, prescribed bed rest and a
strict diet, and waited. This procedure is no longer common today because
complications can arise within a few hours that require quick action. Only
in children (see chapter " Appendicitis in Children ")
do other treatment strategies apply.
By the way: An inflamed appendix cannot be
soothed with home
remedies such as a hot water bottle on the
stomach. At most in the case of chronic appendicitis, the course of which
those affected are already familiar with, warmth can be beneficial. If you
have acute appendicitis, it is important to see a doctor. Otherwise there
is a risk of a ruptured appendix, which will lead to peritonitis. @ Read More imtechaddicted fitliza technologyiesinnovation
