What is appendicitis? Symptoms, causes and how to know if I have it

The inflammation that takes place in the appendages is known as appendicitis. This condition attacks a small finger-shaped pouch that projects from the cecum fundus of the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen. The main causes of the disease are related to obstruction in the lining of the intestinal organ. In turn, this generates very specific symptoms in which intense pain stands out in the area where the appendages are located. But it can also work silently, so some people wonder how do I know if I have it? If you are one of them, it is time to get out of doubt.

In all cases, appendicitis produces pain in the lower right abdomen. However, in most patients the pain begins around the belly button and then travels. As the inflammation takes up more space and worsens, the pain also increases and eventually becomes almost unbearable.

According to the statistics between the 5% -15% of the population You will suffer from this picture at some point in your life. But while anyone can get appendicitis, it most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Acute appendicitis is the final stage of this disease and is the most frequent abdominal surgical emergency. It is also the common cause of non-obstetric acute abdomen during pregnancy. The most common treatment in most cases of appendix disease is surgical removal.

Symptoms of appendicitis

The signs and symptoms of appendicitis can be varied, but particularly difficult to detect. in children and pregnant women.

The main and most noticeable symptom is abdominal pain, which begins as mild and progressively becomes acute and severe. Commonly, as the inflammation of the appendix increases, the pain shifts to the lower right part of the abdomen. Specifically, it is located in a place called McBurney point.

The intensity of the pain worsens when doing some activity such as walking, or coughing. This forces the patient to rest to avoid sudden pain.

As for the late, they can understand

• Vomiting
• Shaking chills.
• Tremors
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Sickness.
• Mild fever that may get worse as the disease progresses
• Flatulence

Causes of appendicitis

The most general cause of appendicitis is an obstruction that occurs in the lining of the appendix that results in infection. Here the bacteria accumulate quickly and produce the inflammation, swelling the area, causing it to fill with pus.

All of this happens because the appendix constantly produces mucus that binds with stool. The problem is that it is the only organ in the intestinal tract that has no outlet. Causing any obstruction in the drainage of mucus causes it to accumulate, and therefore, a dilation of the appendix is ​​generated.

As the size of the appendix is ​​enlarged, the compression of the blood vessels increases and the necrosis of its walls. This process can evolve until the appendix ruptures.

The most common causes of appendicitis do not have to do with any lifestyle, but rather in relation to exposures to foreign bodies. Or it is simply a natural process.

1] Increase in lymphatic tissues due to bacterial or viral infection.

two] Obstruction due to other more complex circumstances: tumors or intestinal worms.

On which side does appendicitis occur?

The area where pain is experienced can vary according to the age and position of the appendix. During pregnancy, the pain seems to come from the upper abdomen because the appendix is ​​higher during this stage.

But, as we have mentioned, the pain is usually localized in the lower right side of the abdomen.

Appendicitis or gas?

Gases consist of accumulation of air or carbon, their origin is gastrointestinal, and in its first stage they are usually eliminated by belching and in the second they are eliminated anally. These two factors are a clear hallmark of when you have gas or it is appendicitis.

Bloating in the abdomen from gas is a common feature, but when it is on the right side it can be mistaken for heart problems. While when it is located on the right side it is confused with appendicitis, in any case it is better to see a doctor to rule out possible risks.

For its part, appendicitis is characterized by pain in the navel that always moves to the right side and that can cause other symptoms such as vomiting, fever, chills, etc.. And these complications do not occur when it comes to gas.

How do I know if I have appendicitis?

Unlike other abdominal conditions, appendicitis pain does not go away, it remains constant and intensifies with time, movements and is accompanied by the aforementioned symptoms.

In any case, it is advisable to go to a specialist who is the person capable of diagnosing the disease in the following way:

• Evaluate symptoms

It will ask the patient to provide details about the symptoms they are experiencing, their intensity, and for how long.

• Perform a physical exam

Which will allow you to obtain more information about the patient's stomach pain. He will touch certain areas of the abdomen and apply pressure, he may also do pelvic and rectal exams.

• Will request laboratory tests

Blood or urine tests can confirm a diagnosis of appendicitis or detect signs of other health problems. If necessary, the specialist may also order an abdominal ultrasound, an MRI, or a CT scan.

Laparoscopic operation

These are several incisions that doctors make using special instruments to remove the appendix through them.

Among the benefits of performing this operation are:

• A lower risk of complications, such as hospital-related infections.
• Shorter recovery time

Remember that your health comes first, consult your doctor if you suspect you have appendicitis