What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is inflammation, most often associated with infection, of a part of the intestine known as the appendix, which is located in the lower right part of the abdomen.
What is the appendix?
The appendix is a small, finger-length structure located in the first portion of the large intestine (the blind one) on the right side of the abdomen. It does not have any essential function in the functioning of the body, but its inflammation can cause health problems if not treated urgently.
What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
The most common symptoms of appendicitis are:
- pain usually starting in the middle part of the abdomen, ill-defined, which over time progresses to severe pain located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- constipation or diarrhea
- fever, in more advanced cases
What is the difference between acute and chronic appendicitis?
Although acute and chronic appendicitis are characterized by inflammation of the appendix, they are two different situations. Chronic appendicitis is less common, has a slow rate of progression, and symptoms are milder. Acute appendicitis, on the other hand, is very common, has a rapid progression rate and the symptoms are very intense.
Is acute appendicitis serious?
Yes. Acute appendicitis is a potentially serious disease and requires surgery to remove the appendix (appendectomy). If not carried out in time, inflammation of the appendix can be associated with various complications, such as perforation, leading to peritonitis or even a generalized infection (septicaemia).
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of appendicitis is essentially clinical, i.e. the symptoms are usually sufficient for a correct diagnosis. < style="user-select: text;">However, a concrete diagnosis requires a medical examination, blood and urine tests, an ultrasound scan or a computed tomography (CT) scan. Both tests and diagnostic imaging methods can confirm inflammation of the appendix. < style="user-select: text;">In addition, the performance of the tests is important to make a differential diagnosis with other diseases that may present similar symptoms.
What causes appendicitis?
The most frequent cause of appendicitis is obstruction of the appendix that produces an abnormal bacterial growth and triggers the inflammatory process of appendicitis. Obstruction may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease, infections, tuberculosis, parasites, foreign bodies (seeds, seeds, etc.), neoplasms, or formation/accumulation of faecal material.
At what age does appendicitis appear?
Appendicitis is a very common occurrence that peaks in incidence at younger ages, but can occur at any time in life.
What is the treatment for appendicitis?
The treatment of appendicitis is performed through surgery in which the appendix is removed – appendectomy.
Is surgery the only treatment there is?
Surgery is the main treatment for appendicitis because it definitively resolves the acute infection process. Currently, the surgery is performed, most of the time, through the laparoscopy technique, a minimally invasive surgical technique, which allows a faster recovery. < style="user-select: text;">Treatment may also include taking antibiotics when and if the infection is accompanied by an abscess, which will last for a long time depending on the evolution of the infection.
Is appendicitis different in adults and children?
Appendicitis is not very common in younger children, but when it does occur, the symptoms and treatment are the same.