If the appendix becomes inflamed, it is appendicitis, which is usually accompanied by great pain. You can find out how to recognize such appendicitis here.
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What is the job of our appendix?
Our appendix is located below the navel in the lower right abdomen. For a long time it was assumed that the appendix was rather useless and did not play an important role. But that’s not true. Our appendix supports our immune system because it contains cells of the lymphatic system. These support our immune system and can specifically eliminate pathogens. In addition, the appendix serves as a kind of storage for the good intestinal bacteria. They can multiply there and then spread.
5 signs of appendicitis
Strictly speaking, appendicitis does not inflame the appendix itself, but the appendix, an appendage of the appendix. The thin appendix at the end of the appendix is about 20 centimeters long and just about six millimeters in diameter.
Appendicitis can manifest itself through the following symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen: This increases in the acute phase.
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- loss of appetite
- coated tongue
In older people, appendicitis usually manifests itself without fever and without severe pain. In pregnant women, the appendix can slide upwards, so that typical pressure pains do not occur.
Recognizing appendicitis as such is usually difficult due to the non-specific symptoms. If appendicitis is suspected, you should seek medical treatment immediately. If the inflammation progresses further, the appendix can rupture, allowing intestinal contents and bacteria to enter the abdominal cavity and then into the abdominal cavity.
Treatment of appendicitis
As a rule, the inflamed appendix is surgically removed. This is a minimally invasive procedure. In the surgical laparoscopy or keyhole method, three small incisions are made. Through this, a special endoscope and the instruments are inserted to remove the appendix. The inflammation can also heal on its own or thanks to an antibiotic.
