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 includes the following
The appendix develops as an extension of the primary large intestine (Cecum), in the lower right side of the abdomen, and is located in 95% of cases within the peritoneum, and the appendix may be about 10 cm long.
Acute appendicitis is a sudden and severe inflammation of the appendix that causes abdominal pain. This pain may occur suddenly or increase over several hours.
It is worth noting that any obstruction or inflammation of the appendix can lead to swelling, which may cause acute appendicitis.
This condition is a medical emergency, and people will need immediate medical attention if they develop any symptoms of appendicitis.
If left untreated, the appendix can rupture or burst within 48-72 hours of a person first showing symptoms of acute appendicitis.
A ruptured or bursting appendix can lead to a serious infection called peritonitis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of acute appendicitis
Symptoms of acute appendicitis can be divided according to age group as follows
1. Acute appendicitis in adults
They include the following
Abdominal pain that starts in the umbilical region and then moves to the lower right part of the abdomen.
Nausea and vomiting.
Flatulence.
constipation.
Anorexia.
High temperature.
Gas in the stomach.
Changes in the normal functioning of the intestine.
Presenting acute appendicitis in children
They include the following
Walk slowly, bending to the right.
Flatulence.
Sclerosis in the muscles of the abdominal wall
High temperature.
Symptoms of dryness.
Causes and risk factors for acute appendicitis
Here are the causes and risk factors for acute appendicitis
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 expansion of the appendix wall tissue.
Stool causing blockage of the tube in the large intestine.
Oncology.
Inflammatory bowel diseases.
Abdominal injury or trauma.
It is worth noting that with increasing swelling, the blood flow to the appendix decreases and then stops completely. In this case, the appendix begins to die, or it can rupture or explode.
2. Risk factors for acute appendicitis
Risk factors for acute appendicitis include
Age: People between the ages of 15 and 30 most often get the disease.
Gender: Males are usually more susceptible to the disease.
Family history: People with a family history of the disease are more likely to be infected.
Complications of acute appendicitis
Among the important notes regarding the complications that can be caused by acute appendicitis are the following:
If not treated immediately, acute appendicitis may 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 lead to an abscess of the appendix, in which case drainage of the abscess is required.
Another potential complication that an acute appendix can cause is complete bowel obstruction.
Diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Among the important notes regarding the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (Acute appendicitis) through the following:
The doctor first performs a physical examination of the patient, and clinical symptoms, such as pain in the right lower abdomen and swelling, are also checked.
The doctor orders some tests based on the results of the physical examination. This is to check for signs of appendicitis or rule out other possible causes.
There is no one specific test to diagnose appendicitis. If other possible causes are ruled out, the cause may be diagnosed as appendicitis.
Among the examinations that are usually performed include
Comprehensive blood test: A comprehensive blood test is performed to check for signs of infection, as the doctor will order a complete blood count to perform this test, then a blood sample is collected for examination.
Urine tests: In order to rule out a urinary tract infection or kidney stones as a possible cause of symptoms, a urine sample is collected from the laboratory.
Pregnancy test: An ectopic pregnancy can be mistaken for appendicitis, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
Pelvic examination: Symptoms may be due to pelvic inflammatory disease or polycystic ovaries, or it may be the result of another condition affecting the female reproductive organs.
Abdominal imaging tests: to check for appendicitis, such as: abdominal ultrasound, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment of acute appendicitis
Among the important notes regarding the treatment of acute appendicitis are the following
Most people first need immediate surgery to remove the appendix, and it''s important to receive prompt treatment to reduce the risk of the appendix bursting.
There are two types of surgery to remove the appendix: laparoscopic and abdominal surgery.
During laparoscopy, the doctor makes several small cuts in the abdomen to remove the appendix, while in cases of abdominal surgery, he makes one incision in the lower right side of the abdomen to remove the appendix.
A burst appendix may cause injury to the lining of the abdominal wall. Therefore, the surgeon may need, after removing the appendix, 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, as they are initially prescribed to anyone who may be infected. Antibiotics that can be used in this case include clindamycin, gentamicin, and ampicillin. ).
