Appendicitis: What is it and how to identify it?

Throughout life, we must be prepared for incidents and health problems that arrive without warning. When we talk about unexpected health problems, we immediately think of the famous appendicitis. This problem is very common and causes fear in many people.

What is Appendicitis?

First, to understand what appendicitis is, we need to know exactly what the appendix is. It is a small organ that is located on the lower right side of the abdomen, in the first part of the large intestine and has a blind bottom and many people do not know what its function is .

The truth is that the appendix was considered for a long time an organ that has no function for our body, being considered only a vestige of evolution. However, recent studies have proven that the appendix can help our immune system, producing mucus constantly, which mix with our feces.

Everything that can be known about this body is not yet known and research on it may still reveal more functions in the future. Appendicitis is nothing more than inflammation of this organ, which causes several symptoms, the most common of which is intense pain on the right side of the abdomen.

Appendicitis Symptoms

But in addition to this symptom, others also come along with appendicitis such as nausea, intense sensation of poor digestion, nausea, fever, diarrhea, chills and even vomiting. When appendicitis is identified in someone, they need to undergo a surgical procedure to remove the appendix as soon as possible so that there are no worse consequences.

What Causes Appendicitis?

This disease can occur for several different causes, the most common being the entry of feces in the appendix, since it is an organ that is very close to the large intestine. In addition to this, other very common causes are:

  • Gallstones.
  • Accumulation of gases within the appendix.
  • Parasites in the intestine, like worms .
  • Pressure of the lymph nodes due to an infection.

As the appendix is ​​a very small organ and has a very specific shape, its functions often end up being obstructed by the inflammation of other organs , causing the mucus that the appendix produces to become trapped, causing several infections and, consequently, all the symptoms that we have already mentioned here.

How to Identify Appendicitis?

Only a specialist doctor can tell whether the person is really suffering from appendicitis or not. When presenting the symptoms of the disease, a person usually goes to see a doctor, not least because the abdominal pain is usually very severe and intensifies over time.

The doctor analyzes through observation and palpation of the abdomen, in addition to also being able to perform some tests such as ultrasound or blood count , for example. After all of these tests have been done, the doctor sends the patient to surgery so that the appendix can be removed.

Appendicitis Surgery

Surgery to remove the appendix, or appendectomy as it is called, is considered a simple procedure and does not offer many risks, although, like any surgery, there may be complications for various reasons such as infections and hemorrhages, for example.

There is not only one way to perform this surgery. In addition to common surgery, there is also video-laparoscopic surgery , which is a much less incisive process, which brings much less postoperative pain and which also offers a faster recovery of the patient.

Even with advances in technology, in many cases it is still necessary for surgery to remove the appendix to be done in the traditional open way, it is up to the doctor to decide what is the best way for each case.

What Complications Can Appendicitis Bring?

The main complication that the disease can bring is peritonitis . It basically consists of an inflammation in the peritoneum, caused by a fungus or a bacterium. The peritoneum is a type of tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers virtually all organs in a person’s abdominal region. It occurs mainly due to the release of pus by the inflamed appendix.

In addition to this, many other complications can also arise from appendicitis such as bacteremia and abscesses, which are clusters of pus around the organs. Abscesses can be divided between hepatic and periapendicular.

Diseases like appendicitis appear and are very common. And although we all know that, it is often simply unavoidable. But even so, it is important to know what are the main symptoms and how to identify this type of disease so that the consequences they bring are not the worst.

It is always possible to prevent yourself at some level and prevent things from getting worse in any way, but for that you need to be aware at all times and know what type of disease we are dealing with. And it is precisely for this reason that having information about appendicitis is so useful.

See Also: Stomach Pain in Pregnancy – Is this Symptom Common?

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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

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