Acute appendicitis is one of the difficult diseases that are more common in men than in women, which needs special attention as it may cause death in many cases.
Important information about acute appendicitis
Important information about acute appendicitis is as follows
The appendix develops as an extension of the primary large intestine (Cecum), in the lower right side of the abdomen, and is found in 95% of cases within the peritoneum, and the length of the appendix may be about 10 cm.
Acute appendicitis is a sudden, severe inflammation of the appendix that causes abdominal pain. This pain may occur suddenly or may increase over several hours.
It is worth noting that any blockage or inflammation of the appendix can lead to swelling, which may cause acute appendicitis.
This is a medical emergency, and people will need immediate medical attention if they develop any symptoms of appendicitis.
If not treated, the appendix can rupture or rupture within 48 to 72 hours of a person having symptoms of acute appendicitis for the first time.
A ruptured or bursting appendix can lead to a serious infection called peritonitis, which can be life-threatening, requiring immediate, emergency medical care.
Symptoms of acute appendicitis
Symptoms of acute appendicitis can be divided according to the age group as follows
1. Acute appendicitis in adults
It includes the following
Abdominal pain that begins in the umbilical region and then moves to the lower right part of the abdomen.
Nausea and vomiting.
flatulence
constipation
Anorexia.
High temperature.
Abdominal gases.
Changes in the normal functioning of the intestine.
Symptoms of acute appendicitis in children
It includes the following
Walk slowly, bending to the right.
flatulence
Sclerosis of the abdominal wall muscles
High temperature.
Symptoms of dehydration.
Causes and risk factors for acute appendicitis
Here are the causes and risk factors for acute appendicitis, as follows
1. Causes of acute appendicitis
Acute appendicitis occurs when something blocks the appendix. This may be due to
A viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection of the digestive tract, which can lead to an enlargement of the tissues of the appendix wall.
Stool blockage of the tube in the large intestine.
neoplasms
Inflammatory bowel diseases.
Injury or trauma to the abdomen.
It is worth noting that with increased swelling, blood flow to the appendix decreases and then stops completely, in which case the appendix begins to die, or it can rupture or rupture.
2. Risk factors for acute appendicitis
Risk factors for acute appendicitis include
Age: People aged 15 to 30 years old most often develop the disease.
Gender: Males are usually more susceptible to the disease.
Family history: People with a family history of the disease are more susceptible.
Complications of acute appendicitis
Important notes regarding the complications that acute appendicitis can cause are the following:
If the condition is not treated promptly, acute appendicitis can cause the appendix to burst, leading to a condition called peritonitis.
Peritonitis causes many symptoms, such as nausea, fever, vomiting and severe abdominal pain.
Peritonitis is a serious infection that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly by cleaning the area properly.
Untreated acute appendicitis may cause an appendix abscess, in which case drainage of the abscess may be needed.
Another possible complication of acute appendicitis is complete intestinal obstruction.
Diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Important notes regarding the diagnosis of acute appendicitis include the following
The doctor initially performs a physical examination of the patient, and checks for clinical symptoms, such as pain in the lower right part of the abdomen and swelling.
The doctor orders some tests depending on the results of the physical examination This is to check for signs of appendicitis or to rule out other possible causes.
There is no single definitive test to diagnose appendicitis, so if other possible causes are ruled out, the cause may be diagnosed as appendicitis.
Among the examinations that are usually performed are the following
Comprehensive blood test: A comprehensive blood test is done to check for signs of infection. The doctor will order a complete blood count for this test, and then a blood sample is collected for examination.
Urine tests: To rule out a urinary tract infection or kidney stones as a possible cause of symptoms, a urine sample is collected from a laboratory.
Pregnancy test: An ectopic pregnancy can be confused with appendicitis, and it occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
Pelvic exam: Symptoms may be due to pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovaries, or another condition affecting the female reproductive organs.
Abdominal imaging tests: to check for appendicitis, such as abdominal ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI.
acute appendicitis treatment
Important notes regarding the treatment of acute appendicitis include the following
Most people first need immediate surgery to remove the appendix, and it''s important to get treatment right away to reduce the risk of the appendix rupturing.
There are two types of surgery to remove the appendix, laparoscopic surgery and abdominal surgery.
During laparoscopy, the doctor makes several small cuts in the abdomen to remove the appendix, while in cases of abdominal surgery to remove the appendix, he makes one incision in the lower right side of the abdomen.
A ruptured appendix may cause injury to the lining of the abdominal wall Therefore, after surgical removal of the appendix, the surgeon may need to clean the inside of the abdomen to prevent any infections.
In some cases, antibiotics may be sufficient to treat mild cases of acute appendicitis. They are initially prescribed to anyone who may have an infection. Antibiotics that may be used in this case include clindamycin, gentamicin, and ampicillin. ).
Prevention of acute appendicitis
In fact, there are no clear ways through which the disease can be avoided, because its causes are not precisely known.
