Appendicitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Severe abdominal pain accompanied by loss of appetite and nausea. Appendicitis can present with a variety of symptoms. We explain what causes the inflammation, what symptoms you can use to recognize the disease and what you can do about it.

Appendicitis is inflammation of a small part of the large intestine called the appendix. The reasons for this are manifold. The inflamed appendix usually has to be surgically removed, since untreated appendicitis can become life-threatening. A perforation can occur, in which the contents of the intestine enter the abdomen. The bacteria there can lead to life-threatening peritonitis. It is therefore essential to pay attention to any symptoms that occur in order to be able to act as quickly as possible. In the meantime, this operation has become a routine procedure for doctors, which only takes a few minutes. Here you can find out how appendicitis develops and which signs you should react to.

Causes of appendicitis

The causes of appendicitis can be traced back to various factors. It can also occur as a side effect of other diseases.
However, the most common cause of appendicitis is a blockage in the intestines. The exit of the large intestine can be blocked by kinks in the intestine, scars or faecal obstruction. In rare cases, foreign bodies, tumors or worm infestation can also be to blame for the intestinal obstruction.
But the result is the same: the bacteria in the accumulating stool inflame the appendix, also known as the appendix. The appendix attaches to the appendix in the lower right abdomen and forms the end of the large intestine. It is about the size of a little finger and has no function for digestion. It can therefore be removed in the event of an acute inflammation to protect the patient.
Appendicitis can also be an accompanying symptom of chronic bowel disease. Inflammation of the intestine in Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can extend to the appendix and the appendix. This also leads to acute appendicitis.
Bacterial infections are also a possible cause of inflammation of the appendix. Bacterial infections can affect different parts of the intestine, including the appendix.

Symptoms of appendicitis

Symptoms of appendicitis come on very suddenly and can get worse over a short period of time. Pain in the lower right abdomen, which can be accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, is characteristic. However, the course of the pain is very individual and also dependent on other circumstances, such as pregnancy or age.
In most cases, symptoms begin with pain in the upper abdomen or around the belly button. Many people confuse this abdominal pain with stomach problems. In addition to the pulling and stabbing pain, other symptoms soon appear.
Within a few hours, the pain migrates from the upper abdomen to the lower right abdomen, where it becomes increasingly severe. The abdominal wall over the inflammation then becomes so hard that the muscles contract with even the slightest touch. Especially when walking, those affected find it difficult to raise their right leg sufficiently, as the pain intensifies.
The body temperature of appendicitis patients rises up to 39 degrees. It is typical that the rectal measurement shows one degree more than the measurement in the armpit. However, it is difficult to diagnose appendicitis in children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Since children are more likely to have abdominal painand nausea, it is difficult to attribute the condition to appendicitis. In older people, on the other hand, the symptoms are less pronounced, so that they are not always recognized. Although the pain can be identified in pregnant women, localization is difficult here. Due to the pregnancy, the appendix is ​​pushed into the right upper abdomen. The typical pain of appendicitis cannot occur in this way. They are usually perceived in atypical places, such as the back.
With chronic appendicitis, the symptoms of appendicitis only appear for a short period of time and subside after a few hours.

Treatment of appendicitis

If you suspect an inflammation of the appendix, you should stop eating and consult a doctor immediately. This will determine the inflammation levels in the blood and examine you directly. There are certain spots on the abdominal wall that are sensitive to pain and suggest appendicitis.
The McBurny point is midway between the belly button and the right hip bone.
The Lanz point, on the other hand, is between the right and middle third of an imaginary line between the hip bones. The appendix is ​​approximately at this level.
With slight pressure on these points, a sick patient already feels pain. Healthy people, on the other hand, don’t. The pain and the reflex abdominal tension are an indication of appendicitis.
However, there is no absolutely reliable method for determining the disease. In case of doubt, however, an operation is decided on, since an inflamed appendix can be very dangerous.
In the classic operation, a five centimeter long incision is made in the lower abdomen. Through this, the appendix is ​​removed and the wound is then sutured. The disadvantage of this method is the relatively large scar that results.
In a laparoscopy, on the other hand, only three smaller incisions are made in the abdomen. A camera and the instruments are inserted through the three openings and the operation is followed on a monitor. Only very small scars remain here. However, any bleeding in the abdomen during the operation can be treated more poorly.
If the operation is timely, no further damage will remain. The patient usually stays in the hospital for a few days after the procedure to check that the intestines can function normally again and that the wounds are healing well.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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