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Understanding Appendicitis Symptoms & Treatment

This document provides information about appendicitis, including its definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix primarily caused by an infection, which requires surgery to remove the inflamed appendix. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. Diagnosis is made through physical examination, blood tests, and imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scan. The treatment

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4 views6 pages

Understanding Appendicitis Symptoms & Treatment

This document provides information about appendicitis, including its definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix primarily caused by an infection, which requires surgery to remove the inflamed appendix. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. Diagnosis is made through physical examination, blood tests, and imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scan. The treatment

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APPENDIX

Definition:
The appendix is located near the point where it
connect the small intestine and the colon and, at times, can
to become infected. Spanish society is already
familiar with this disease: it is not a
common condition but requires surgical treatment
called appendectomy for the removal of
appendix. Generally, the intervention is followed by a
short recovery period.
Appendicitis is caused by inflammation of the
appendix.
The appendix is a pouch located in the colon, whose purpose
it is unknown.
Appendicitis begins with pain near the navel, which
then he moves to the right side. He usually is
accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and chills.
Appendicitis is usually treated with surgery and antibiotics. If left untreated, the appendix may burst.
and cause an abscess or a systemic infection (sepsis).

Function of the appendix:


The appendix does have a function, which is to produce and protect the good bacteria in our
intestine. However, its function is not essential and one can live normally.
without appendix.

Location according to anatomical quadrant:


UPPER RIGHT QUADRANT:
The gallbladder
Liver
The tail of the pancreas
The right kidney
Adrenal glands
Excess fluid may be an indication of the presence of a cyst.
pancreatic or a tumor
UPPER LEFT QUADRANT:
The stomach
The spleen
The head of the pancreas
Left kidney
Adrenal gland

LOWER RIGHT QUADRANT:


Intestines
Appendix
Women ovaries and appendages

LOWER LEFT QUADRANT:


Left ovary
Uterus in women
Signs and symptoms:

. Swelling in the abdomen


. Loss of appetite
. Nausea and vomiting

. Constipation or diarrhea
. Inability to eliminate gases
. Low fever
. Inappetence
. Chills
.

Techniques to detect appendicitis:


Physical examination

In abdominal exploration, there are signs that can aid in the diagnosis:

Pain at McBurney's point: a line is drawn from the navel


up to the tip of the anterior right pelvic bone. The point is the junction
of the two thirds closest to the navel with the outer third.
Blumberg's sign: when pressing a part of the abdomen distant from the
Appendix pain occurs in a referred manner. Indicates irritation.
peritoneal and occurs in other diseases.
Abdominal pain upon thigh extension: this maneuver is only useful
when the appendix has a retrocecal location, that is, it is
placed behind the colon and, therefore, the palpation of the abdomen is not
so effective.

Complementary exams

Laboratory analysis

In theblood testAppendicitis usually presents with a white blood cell count


increased (or moderate leukocytosis), with an increase in neutrophils, although it has only been
observed in advanced stages of appendicitis. A complementary analysis to the count of
leukocytes, it is the analysis of blood markers of acute inflammation (C-reactive protein
reactive); it has been shown that C-reactive protein is increased in the
majority of acute appendicitis cases. Theurine analysisit is usually normal.
Imaging diagnosis
Radiology: chest radiology is essential because it allows for the exclusion
other conditions such as cardiopulmonary diseases. The radiology of
the abdomen is usually normal, or a dilation of the intestinal loops may be seen
due to the paralysis of peristaltic movements. Exceptionally,
a calcified fecalite can be seen in the right iliac fossa.
Ultrasound:it is very useful for diagnosis and for ruling out others
diseases. In the case of appendicitis, the ultrasound can see the appendix
inflamed or free fluid in the abdomen. However, on some occasions
no abnormal findings are found despite there being one.
appendicitis.
Computed Tomography (CT):the CT scan is a diagnostic method
very reliable in the diagnosis of appendicitis and is increasingly used in cases
doubt. It also allows for the exclusion of other pathologies.
Laparoscopy:in cases of difficult diagnosis, especially in women in
fertile age, obese or elderly patients, laparoscopy may be used
to confirm the diagnosis. Currently, excellent results are being obtained.
using the single incision laparoscopic technique (SILS-laparoscopy), through the
which can not only be an exploration but also the surgery
laparoscopic appendectomy.

Numerous pathologies can resemble or be confused with appendicitis. The most


frequent infections (colitis,anisakiasis…)inflammatory bowel diseases
(Crohn,ulcerative colitis…) and gynecological pathologies(pelvic inflammatory disease
ectopic pregnancy...)

Diagnosis of appendicitis in children

The presentation of appendicitis in older children (7-11 years) is the same.


in young people and adults. However, when the child is younger, appendicitis is
presents in a more camouflaged way. Nausea and vomiting are quite common.
precede the localization of abdominal pain in the characteristic region (lower
right).
Something characteristic that can help alert us if the child is very young and does not know.
talking, is that during an appendicitis children will cry, they will have abdominal pain, but
they will be motionless, still, while in the cases ofgastroenteritisthey tend to be more
irritable and they don't stop moving.

Ultrasound is used more frequently in children, as it is easier for them.


identify signs that help us with the diagnosis because appendicitis progresses more
quickly.

Diagnosis of appendicitis in the elderly

In the elderly, acute appendicitis is also a serious condition, with a risk of


higher mortality than in young adults. It was traditionally thought that this was
that's why the elderly were more delicate, but the reason is that the symptoms of the
appendicitis are much more latent, and may even be absent, which causes a
delay in diagnosis and a higher number of complications.

The symptoms can be of any type and to any degree, just a good
Abdominal exploration can channel the diagnosis of appendicitis with greater certainty.

Diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant women

During pregnancy theuterusit progressively increases in size, so that


shifts the contents of the intestines in the abdomen upwards. The appendix also
moves and can end up settling in very high areas of the abdomen, close to the
thorax.
The symptoms are the same as for the rest of the adults, with the exception of the
localization of pain, which is usually higher. It should be emphasized that during a
abdominal pain episode in pregnant women, the priority is to check that the fetus
he is safe and sound. There is no problem in performing surgery to remove the
appendix.

Treatment:
With medication:
With surgical interventions:

Surgery to remove the appendix (appendectomy)

Appendectomy can be performed as an open surgery,


making an incision in the abdomen of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm)
approximately long (laparotomy). Or the surgery may
to be performed through small incisions in the abdomen
(laparoscopic surgery). During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the
surgeon inserts special surgical instruments and a
camera in the abdomen to remove the appendix.

In general, laparoscopic surgery allows you to recover faster.


and heal with less pain and scars. It can be a better option.
for elderly or obese people. However, the surgery
laparoscopic is not suitable for everyone. If the appendix is perforated and
the infection spread beyond the appendix or if you have an abscess,
It is possible that you need an open appendectomy, which allows
the surgeon cleans the abdominal cavity.

Keep in mind that you are likely to spend one or two days in the
hospital after appendectomy.

Actions in pre, intra, and postoperative stages:

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