How to diagnose and treat appendicitis?

Almost everyone is at risk. More often, such an ailment occurs in young people aged 20-30 and children over 5 years old. But there have been cases of inflammation in the elderly due to the regression of lymphoid tissue.

The appendix is an appendix up to 10 centimeters long, located on the cecum. It does not perform the functions of digesting food or other intestinal activity, so it is of little value. Not long ago, the production of lymphoid cells by the appendix was discovered, and it began to be considered part of the immune system.

The cause of the malaise is a blockage of the intestinal lumen. The source of the attack is:

• fecal stones;
• tumors;
• parasites;
• foreign bodies (seed husks, pits)
• abdominal pathologies (colitis, cholecystitis);
• frequent constipation;
• unbalanced diet (exceeding the norm of protein in food);
• infections (tuberculosis, yersiniosis);
• systemic vasculitis.

The closure of the lumen increases the amount of mucus in the appendix, and as a consequence of this leads to the appearance of vascular thrombosis and necrosis of the walls.

There is a theory that the likelihood of the disease is associated with the condition of the teeth. As a result of caries, the infection penetrates the appendix through the blood and starts the inflammation process.

Symptoms of the disease are in many ways similar to other stomach problems. At the initial stage, pain in the lower abdomen is felt. After this, nausea, vomiting, temperature up to 38 C may appear. When the appendix ruptures, diffuse peritonitis occurs.

We must not forget that the vermiform appendix can be located slightly differently. Therefore, the patient can feel it in the right hypochondrium, in the navel area, next to the liver or bladder.

You can determine the disease in yourself using simple techniques.

• In the fetal position, the pain will subside a little, and when you turn over onto your left side, it will intensify.
• A loud cough will radiate to the iliac region.
• Lightly tapping on the right side of the abdomen will cause painful sensations.

This should be the end of all self-diagnosis actions. It is important not to press hard on the disturbing area to avoid peritonitis. It is forbidden to take medications - this can change the clinical picture and prevent the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of the disease is based on the survey, physical examination, laboratory blood tests, and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. These methods will allow differentiation from pancreatitis, pleuropneumonia, ulcers, renal colic, gastroenteritis.

There is only one treatment for inflammation of the cecum - surgery. A patient with suspected appendicitis should be immediately hospitalized, and if the diagnosis is confirmed - operated. Before surgery, laparoscopy is often performed (a visual examination of the affected area is performed through a small incision). After this, the appendix is removed.

If there are no complications, the stitches can be removed after 6 - 7 days. Active sports (gymnastics, yoga, walking) can be started in a couple of months.

When help is not provided in a timely manner, acute intoxication of the body occurs and in most cases death. There is no effective drug therapy. Therefore, you should not take risks and at the first signs of appendicitis you need to call an ambulance.