What is Appendicitis?
Although the function of the appendix in the body cannot be determined, it has been observed that there is no negative when it is removed from the body.
Although the function of the appendix in the body cannot be determined, it has been observed that there is no negative when it is removed from the body. But inflammation of this organ causes appendicitis, which, if not intervened, can lead to death. This problem that is commonly encountered is inflammation of the appendix, which looks like a finger-shaped sac protruding from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in the world, with a risk rate of 6-8% for men and 6-9% for women.
Appendicitis most often manifests itself suddenly and necessarily requires immediate intervention. Appendicitis, which occurs with inflammation of the appendix, is quite painful, and the patient may experience a high fever. It causes unbearable pain in the abdomen. In cases where emergency intervention cannot be performed, it endangers the patient's life.
What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is typically manifested by a vague pain around the navel. Within a few hours, the pain intensifies in the lower right side, where there is a sac, and continues in a constant, severe form. Applying pressure to this area, coughing, sneezing, or walking will increase the severity of the pain. It is probably much deeper and more painful than the pains that have been experienced before. The pain occurs suddenly and is severe enough to wake the patient even from sleep. Among other symptoms of appendicitis are Decongestant:
• Fatigue,
• Appetite,
• Nausea,
* Constipation or diarrhea,
* Low fever and flushing of the body,
• Vomit,
* Gas pains,
* Swelling in the abdomen,
• There is a feeling that defecation will be relieved.
It is not the case that all of these symptoms will be seen in the patient. However, abdominal pain is a common symptom in all patients. For this reason, the pain that starts in the lower right side of the abdomen should always be taken into account and a medical facility should be visited.
What Are the Causes of Appendicitis?
Acute appendicitis occurs as a result of obstruction of the appendix. This blockage is caused by indigestible food residues, the kernels of some fruits, foreign bodies and solidified (petrified) feces called fecalides. Rarely, tumors that form in the area can cause obstruction of the appendix. When this blockage occurs, the appendix fills with mucus and swells. The continuation of this production of mucus leads to an increase in pressure in the lumen and October walls. Increased pressure leads to thrombosis of small vessels, their blockage and cessation of lymphatic flow.
Spontaneous healing after this point is very rare. As the blockage of blood vessels progresses, appendicitis becomes ischemic, and then necrotic. The formed bacteria begin to ooze out of the walls. As a result of all this, the rupture of the appendix is inevitable.
It is known that some harmful parasites also lead to appendicitis. In addition, as a result of the occurrence of infection in the digestive tract, the lymphatic tissue on the walls of the appendix may swell. In addition, in inflammatory diseases of the intestine, a blow to this area can also cause the appendix to burst. All these complications that take place in the body lead to the symptoms mentioned above.
How is Appendicitis Diagnosed?
If the doctor suspects appendicitis, he primarily performs a manual examination. In this examination, the patient lies on his back on a stretcher and the doctor asks the patient to open the sore area. Pressure is applied to the sore area with the hand and is suddenly withdrawn. If, as a result of this movement, a sudden pain occurs in the right lower abdomen of the patient, the diagnosis is, by and large, appendicitis. Depending on the result of the physical examination, the doctor may order one or more tests to check for signs of appendicitis or to differentiate the symptoms from other potential causes.
There is no single test for diagnosing appendicitis. If the symptoms found do not indicate other diseases, the doctor may consider the symptoms to be signs of appendicitis. The doctor may order a complete blood count to check for signs of infection. To perform this test, a certain amount of blood is taken and the blood is examined in a laboratory environment. Appendicitis is often accompanied by bacterial infection. Infections in the urinary tract or other abdominal organs can also present symptoms similar to appendicitis. Urine tests can be performed to assess the symptoms of a urinary tract infection or kidney stones.
The type of pregnancy that has settled outside the uterus, called ectopic pregnancy in women, can be confused with appendicitis in some cases. It occurs when a fertilized egg is when it settles in a fallopian tube at the site of the uterus. This is also a medical emergency. Suspecting pregnancy, the doctor may order a pregnancy test. Urine and blood samples can be taken for this test. Ultrasound can also be used to determine where the fertilized egg is attached. Also, in women, an ovarian cyst or another condition may show the same symptoms as appendicitis. In such cases, the doctor may perform a pelvic examination to examine the reproductive organs.
In addition to all these scans, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal X-ray, abdominal CT scan and abdominal MRI scan can also be used to diagnose appendicitis.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Appendicitis?
Treatment of appendicitis usually occurs by surgical removal of the inflamed organ. In cases where infection may prevent surgical intervention, antibiotic therapy may be applied as a priority. The operation can be performed by open surgical method with an incision about 5 to 10 cm long. Apart from this, laparoscopic surgery can also be performed by opening several abdominal incisions. In this operation, the surgeon sends a camera to the abdominal cavity through the incisions he opens in the abdomen and removes the infected organ with special medical instruments. In general, it is seen that laparoscopic surgery is preferred because it heals faster, is less painful and opens fewer wounds. Even elderly patients and patients with obesity often use this method. However, the laparoscopic method is not suitable for every patient. If the appendix has ruptured and the infection has spread to other areas, the open surgical method of cleaning the abdominal cavity should be used. After appendectomy surgery, the patient is kept under control in the hospital for several days. If the appendix has burst before the intervention and is surrounded by an abscess, the abscess can be drained by inserting a tube into the abscess from the abdomen. Appendectomy is performed a few weeks after the infection is under control.
Can changing lifestyle reduce the risk of cancer ?
Take Care of Your Health, Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
• Stay away from tobacco and tobacco products.
* Try to be at a normal weight.
* Try to do regular physical activity, be mobile.
* Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
* Do not drink alcohol, if you are taking it, reduce the amount as much as possible.
* Protect your skin from the sun.
• Get to know your own body, in the presence of changes, consult a doctor.
• Know your risks and Family history.
* Have regular health check-ups and screening tests that are appropriate for you.