Appendicitis

What is Appendicitis?

Located in the lower right part of the abdominal cavity, the appendix is one of our organs that still remains a mystery. The appendix, located where the small intestine ends and the large intestine begins, is also known as the blind intestine. The length is different for each person, but it is approximately 10 centimeters and is longer in children than in adults. It is mainly thought to be part of the digestive system, but it is also thought to be part of the exocrine, endocrine or lymphatic systems.

The appendix, whose exact role in the body is unknown, can be likened to tonsils. The mouth, which is also the starting point of the digestive system, is one of the places where germs are most abundant. The large intestine, like the mouth, is rich in germs. Just as the tonsils stimulate the body against germs, the appendix stimulates the body against germs in the large intestine.

Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis. Appendicitis, of which severe pain is the most characteristic symptom, must be treated. Because if the abscess gets into the bloodstream, patients face a life-threatening risk. Appendicitis, whose infection is usually caused by bacteria, must be removed before it bursts.

Appendicitis Symptoms

Any blockage in the appendix causes bacteria to multiply rapidly and cause infection. Pressure is also applied to the appendix blood vessels that are swollen due to obstruction. Pinched veins can cause gangrene. This gangrene causes the appendix to rupture and the abdomen to fill with feces. There is also a possibility that the infected appendix may leak the abscess. Common symptoms of appendicitis, which is extremely dangerous, are as follows.

• Stabbing pain when pressing on the lower right side of the abdomen,
• Increased pain over time,
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth and tongue,
• Loss of appetite
• Blunt pain around the navel,
• Digestive difficulties,
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• High fever
• Rapid heartbeat,
• inability to pass gas
• Stool straining and pain,
• In pregnant women, the pain is observed in the posterior back region.

Causes of appendicitis swelling, pain and bursting

• Foods that are not fully digested in the stomach, such as lemon or pomegranate seeds, escape into the appendix as they pass into the large intestine,
• Infection of the appendix tissue by viruses, fungi or bacteria,
• Swelling of the lymph nodes at the mouth of the appendix due to inflammation in the digestive system,
• Intestinal infections,
• Blockage of the appendix due to blows to the abdomen,
• Genetic predisposition,
• Crohn's disease,
• Parasites and worms in the intestine,
• Ulcerative colitis,
• Tumors

How to Diagnose Appendicitis Rupture, Swelling?

Appendicitis is a disease that is sometimes difficult to diagnose because it has common symptoms with other diseases. This makes the diagnosis of appendicitis particularly similar to the symptoms of ovarian, gall bladder, urinary tract and bladder diseases, as well as kidney stones.

The key point for the diagnosis of appendicitis is the patient's complaints. The doctor then examines the patient's lower right abdomen and, if appendicitis is suspected, refers patients for an MRI or ultrasound. It also checks the white blood cell count to determine whether inflammation is present.

Appendicitis Treatment Methods

Although the treatment of appendicitis varies according to the patients, it is usually treated with surgery.

Antibiotic Treatment

If the infection in the appendix has not burst or ruptured, then antibiotic treatment is usually administered. Afterwards, the abscess in the appendix is drained with the help of a tube passed through the skin. If this treatment fails, surgery is used to remove the organ.

Appendicitis Surgery

The most preferred method in appendicitis surgeries is closed surgery. Because the recovery period is shorter than open surgeries. During the operation, 3 to 4 small incisions are made in the patient and surgical devices are transmitted to the abdominal cavity through these incisions with a special camera. The devices, which are delivered into the abdominal cavity, include a camera, a tube to inflate the abdomen so that the surgeon can see the organ more clearly, and small instruments to remove the appendix.

After the appendix is removed, the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures so that patients can recover faster. If non-absorbable sutures are used to close the incisions, the sutures are removed in 7 to 10 days.

In some patients, closed surgery cannot be performed. In these patients, the appendix has burst or a lump called an appendicitis mass has formed in the abdomen. Open surgeries are also performed if the patient has previously undergone open abdominal surgery.

In open operations, a large incision is made in the lower right side of the abdomen. The surgeon performs the operation through this incision. In open surgeries, both absorbable and removable sutures can be used. After appendicitis surgery, the removed piece is sent to the pathology laboratory for examination. After removal of the appendix, the full recovery of patients is completed within a few weeks. However, the recovery period in open surgeries can take up to 6 weeks.

Life After Appendicitis Surgery

Recovery times of closed surgeries are very short. For this reason, patients are discharged within 48 hours at the latest after surgery. However, it can take up to 1 week to be discharged after open surgeries or when the disease is complicated. Patients may experience pain for a few days after both operations. This is perfectly normal. For this reason, painkillers should only be used when necessary.

After closed surgeries, patients may feel a pain in their shoulders. By pain is caused by the gas pumped after surgery. It is also common for patients to become constipated after surgery. For this reason, patients should consume plenty of water and fiber-rich foods after surgery.

The doctor informs the patient about the care of the surgical site and activities to be avoided before discharge. However, it is recommended that patients avoid heavy work for 4-6 weeks after both open and closed surgeries.

Nutrition after appendicitis surgery

After appendicitis surgery, some nutrients can help to reduce symptoms and speed recovery. This one The first of the nutrients is ginger tea. Ginger tea reduces infection in the body while at the same time preventing the development of infection.

If pineapple is consumed after appendicitis surgery, the scar will heal faster. It also makes patients feel better as it provides energy.

Anesthesia during surgery tires the liver. For this, consuming fresh seafood helps the liver to regenerate itself faster. Infertility after surgery is extremely common. Homemade yogurt and pickles can help to get the intestines moving again.