Appendicitis

What is appendicitis?

The appendix is ​​a narrow tubular pouch that is an extension of the intestine. When this appendix becomes blocked, it becomes inflamed and this leads to a condition called appendicitis.

If the blockage persists, the inflamed tissue becomes infected with bacteria and begins to necrose from the lack of blood flow, eventually leading to a rupture of the appendix.

Appendicitis is the most common clinical condition requiring emergency abdominal surgery.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

Appendicitis usually begins with mild pain in the middle of the abdomen, often near the belly button or on the belly button itself.

The pain slowly moved to the lower right to the right thigh over the next 24 hours. In the classic case, the condition is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever.

Symptoms of appendicitis usually develop within 4-48 hours. During this time, a person who develops appendicitis may have varying degrees of loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Children and adults often have fewer symptoms or cannot adequately describe their symptoms, making their diagnosis more difficult to establish and the incidence of complications more common.

What are the causes of this condition?

The exact cause of appendicitis has not been established. Fecal masses from the colon are thought to be one of the possible causes of appendix obstruction.

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites can cause an infection that causes the tissues of the wall of the appendix to swell.

Tissue swelling from an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease is also a possible cause.

Treatment of appendicitis

It is important not to try to treat yourself at home with antibiotics or pain medication, as this can lead to worsening symptoms, complications or even a burst appendix , which is extremely serious and may pose a danger to the patient’s life.

If you suspect appendicitis, it is important to consult your GP or seek emergency medical attention.

Time should not be wasted in performing an operation, as this may lead to complications and increase the risk of post-operative complications.

Appendix removal surgery is usually performed by laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive procedure.

In it, several small incisions are made in the abdominal area, through which small instruments and a camera are inserted.

This allows the surgeon to see inside the abdominal cavity and find the exact location of the appendix. The appendix is ​​then removed to prevent future cases of inflammation.

Usually after surgery, the patient remains in the hospital for observation and recovery for several days.

The healing process depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, but usually some rest and following a special diet is required until the wounds close and fully recover.

Follow your doctor’s instructions for a quick and successful recovery. Also follow the dietary recommendations, drink enough fluids and avoid physical exertion until you feel fully recovered.

Alternative treatment

For acute appendicitis, a purgative should be taken, such as castor oil.

Then for 4 days you must not take any food or water at all and during this time you must lie flat on your back.

Apply warm compresses to the caecal area and even after you finish the 4-day fast, you should continue to apply a warm compress. You should not consume meat for 1 month.

However, it should be emphasized that this alternative method of treating appendicitis should be discussed with your personal physician or health professional in advance.

Neglecting appendicitis can lead to more serious complications, which will then make any surgery much more risky for your health.

How to protect yourself from appendicitis?

It is difficult to predict when appendicitis might occur and, accordingly, to prevent its occurrence. There are no proven risk factors for the development of appendicitis.

Potential risk factors are thought to include regular consumption of low-fiber, high-sugar foods and infection.

It is also assumed that the reason for the frequency of appendicitis is the “seat” toilets, which make the intestines lazy and cannot be completely freed of their contents during defecation.

That is why it is recommended to be in a squatting position when defecating, which is a guarantee for the complete emptying of the intestines and the possibility of clogging the appendix with fecal masses is significantly reduced.

It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, which supports good gastrointestinal function and general health.

Avoiding prolonged periods of stool retention and guarding against infections that can affect the bowels are also important.

Despite all precautions, appendicitis can still occur in some people for unknown reasons.

If you feel a sharp pain in your lower abdomen, suspecting appendicitis, seek medical help immediately.

Symptoms may include pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Appendicitis is an emergency disease and requires surgical treatment.

Always consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your health.