What causes appendicitis? Appendicitis pain is characterized by an intense, debilitating abdominal pain that is usually considered as a surgical emergency. This has been the most common abdomen-related surgical emergency. With early diagnosis, treatment is quite easy but very difficult once ignored. It’s hard to diagnose appendicitis especially at an early stage and symptoms may resemble that of other abdominal problems. That is why it is highly important to consult your physician once you experience intense abdominal pain. But what is appendicitis?
What is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis refers to the medical condition wherein your appendix has become inflamed and contains pus. Appendix is like a small tube-like pouch that is connected from your large intestine on the lower right abdominal side. Although its purpose remains unclear but it is capable of causing serious problems once it gets inflamed and eventually ruptures. Everyone is susceptible of developing appendicitis but people at the age range of 10-30 are most often affected by this condition. The standard treatment, however, is surgical removal.
Appendicitis Pain
Early detection of appendicitis is somewhat difficult. In fact, around 50 percent of the patients have classic manifestations of appendicitis. However, physicians may be able to diagnose it properly by knowing the kind of appendicitis pain you’ve been experiencing. Here they are.
• Typical appendicitis symptoms include depressed appetite, nausea and vomiting associated with pain on area of belly button and upper right abdominal corner.
• High chances of appendicitis when the pain shifts from the navel area into the upper right side of the abdomen.
• When pain comes before vomiting, then, most likely it is appendicitis. But when vomiting comes before pain, there could be other intestinal obstruction existing.
• Although appendicitis is usually associated with nausea and depressed appetite, further analysis and examination is required to confirm that it is appendicitis because these symptoms are also present in other health problems.
• The duration of appendicitis pain and other symptoms may start from mild and aggravates within 48 hours. Although for elderly people in their 70’s, the symptoms usually aggravate within 2 weeks.
Why does Appendicitis Occur?
The exact cause of inflamed appendix remains unclear. But, it could sometimes occur due to obstruction in the lining of the appendix. Hard fecal substances or food waste are primary obstructions on the passage way inside the appendix. Gastrointestinal infection or any abdominal trauma resulting to inflammation of the appendix can also cause appendicitis. Inflamed appendix contains infectious fluid which when left untreated will eventually rupture resulting to other serious condition.
Types of Appendicitis
Appendicitis is classified into two: acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis. Both have differing manifestations such that the acute form of appendicitis is easier to identify but usually emerges following the progression of complications. Chronic appendicitis, on the other hand, is difficult to detect. Here’s a thorough examination of this two types of appendicitis.
Acute Appendicitis
This is the most common type of appendicitis of which the symptoms can be easily identified because it is more intense. However, majority of the symptoms resemble that of other health conditions. In acute form, the symptoms closely resemble a severe case of influenza. These symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, depressed appetite, constipation, abdominal swelling, touch sensitivity to the lower abdomen and abdominal pain first from the navel region then advances to the lower right side of abdomen.
Chronic Appendicitis
The symptoms of this type of appendicitis are more difficult to detect. While it shares some of its symptoms with the acute type, the severity is very much weaker. This could result to more serious problems primarily because the culprit of the infection is not easily detected and when treatment is delayed, the infection can spread. Chronic appendicitis symptoms include slight fever, mild tenderness, recurring discomfort and mild abdominal pain on the lower part of the abdomen. Diagnosis is difficult for this type of appendicitis that is why doctor’s consultation is required to have accurate diagnosis.
How is Appendicitis Diagnosed and Treated?
If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms cited above, it is necessary to visit your physician right away. For those suffering from the acute appendicitis, it is better to head directly to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. Diagnosis usually involves examination of the blood and urine sample as well as physical examination. For chronic type of appendicitis, the physician will usually perform a thorough physical examination and blood test. Oftentimes, a more detailed examination like ultrasound imaging might be required to make a more definite diagnosis. The diagnostic process is quite challenging and even lengthy.
For both types, the finest treatment to the disease is complete appendix removal through surgery called appendectomy. However, it may not always be the case with the chronic type as meticulous rounds of antibiotics medication is enforced before removing the appendix. Recovery period normally lasts for several weeks with enough rest, limited physical activity and pain killers.
How is Appendicitis Prevented?
Although the cause in not clear, still, you can do something to spare yourself from developing appendicitis. The finest preventive measure you can take is by living a healthy lifestyle which includes eating healthy and nutritious foods; getting sufficient rest and regular exercise. Eat foods that have high content of fiber like fresh fruits and green leafy veggies. Studies show that those who consume foods that have high content of fiber effectively reduces the possibility of developing appendicitis. Fibers help in the proper functioning of the digestive system thus reducing the risk of appendicitis. Aside from that, drink fresh vegetable and fruit juices like cucumber, beetroot and carrot juice. Finally, if you experience appendicitis pain, never delay doctor’s consultation. Remember that early detection of the disease means greater chances of successful treatment.
Recommendation
Really then, it is of prime importance to be vigilant about what the body experiences. One signal that the body uses when there is impeding trouble is pain. Therefore, upon experiencing appendicitis pain, never take it for granted and seek medical assistance immediately. Remember that appendicitis is the most prevalent surgical emergency related to abdominal pain. Once treatment is delayed, it could lead to other more serious problems, even resulting to death. Read more about appendicitis symptoms in women.
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