Appendicitis: causes, symptoms, treatments

Everyone at least once will have heard of appendix and appendicitis: a common disorder that occurs frequently in the population, and that in severe cases can lead to surgery.

In fact, the appendix is a part of the intestine that can undergo inflammation under certain conditions, and perforation if it is not promptly treated with the most suitable care.

Often those who have an appendicitis disorder go against severe abdominal pain. However, inflammation of the appendix is not always easy to recognize. Here’s what you need to know.

What is it

Appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the appendix, a small earthworm-like growth that is located at the beginning of the large intestine, in the lower right part of the abdomen.

It is usually due to obstruction by feces, pits, mucus or enlarged lymphatic tissue.

It is slightly more frequent in men and usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 30. It requires rapid surgical treatment because the wall of the appendix may rupture.

However, the symptoms of appendicitis can also be common to many other disorders and diseases. Precisely for this reason it is important to immediately request medical advice, in order to exclude a priori the presence of other pathologies and quickly identify the extent of the disorder.

Causes

The trigger is the presence of obstructive material that causes swelling and redness of the appendix that can become necrotic and perforate.

Until some time ago it was believed that the small intestinal growth had no use, but currently its function in the production of antibodies is recognized, although its removal does not weaken the immune defenses.

In fact, appendectomy surgery is now a safe intervention, which can be performed promptly in any clinic specializing in general surgery, and which often does not involve significant risks, especially at a young age. However, today’s therapies aim to prevent the need for surgery, and this is also possible thanks to greater patient awareness and training .

Common symptoms

It is usually characterized by a pain at the level of the navel that moves towards the lower right part of the abdomen, but the symptomatology can vary from person to person and is accentuated in about 6-12 hours.

The pain increases when pressure is abruptly released after pressing on the lower right area of the abdomen, or after efforts such as coughing, walking or taking the stairs.

It can also be accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting. Fever can be an important wake-up call about the state of the disease, which may have already led to the development of an abscess, and then to the presence of pus and infections.

All these symptoms, accompanied as hinted by a strong and localized pain, can be a primary indication of the presence of this pathology, and that therefore the cavity of the appendix has become inflamed as a result of an obstruction.

Diagnosis

Making a diagnosis of appendicitis is not always Easy : from 20% to 50% of cases, surgical intervention is also performed on Non-inflamed appendices , without being able to trace the cause that triggered the symptoms.

This is because there are numerous pathologies or even simple abdominal disorders that can give a picture similar to that of appendicitis.

Usually, however, some maneuvers performed by the doctor and blood tests , combined with the presence of typical symptoms, represent a useful trace to which, today, CT scans are added to Eliminate residual doubts.

, as a prolonged wait could lead to perforation of the appendix, putting

Complications

If appendicitis is not treated quickly, the wall of the appendix can rupture. This usually causes peritonitis , which is inflammation of the peritoneum , the membrane that lines the bowels.

This requires an intervention of the utmost urgency and can, even today, be fatal. Very often, an attempt is made, through a standard examination such as those already mentioned, or antibiotic therapy , to stop the course of appendicitis before it can reach this complication.

The cure

Treatment of acute appendicitis is surgical and consists in the removal of the appendix , which can be performed openly or laparoscopically tags. The methods of execution and hospitalization times vary according to the severity of the infection.

In the case of laparoscopy  it is a minimally invasive surgery technique , less demanding than open surgery. The surgeon specialized in this type of operation makes only very small incisions , through which it will be possible to insert the laparoscope and the instruments necessary for the operation into the abdomen.

The doctor may decide to keep the mild, subacute or chronic forms under control with antibiotics and by prescribing a suitable diet , avoiding or at least limiting the consumption of certain foods. Let’s see what they are.

When to see your doctor

If persistent or increasing pain symptoms appear at the base of the abdomen, around the navel or on the right side, which are accompanied by nausea, vomiting or fever, it is advisable to contact an emergency room .