appendicitis

“Appendicitis”, which is a common disease, is the inflammation of the blind intestine, which is located in the lower part of the abdomen and called the appendix or appendix. The appendix vermiformis is a long slender tube or worm-shaped blunt intestine with an average length of 9 cm. It can be between two and 25 cm in length. In children, it is longer than in adults. It is normally located in the lower right region of the abdomen, but can be found in different positions. The appendix, whose function in the body is unknown, is defined as an organ rich in lymphoid tissue, such as tonsils.
HOW DOES APPENDICIT OCCUR?
Appendicitis is 90 percent due to obstruction of the appendix lumen (ie the inner part of the appendix) with feces. One of the common causes is swelling of the lymph tissues.
When the inside of the appendix is ​​blocked for various reasons, fluid accumulates in the appendix lumen, microbes begin to multiply and the internal pressure increases. With the increase in pressure, the appendix begins to swell and gradually the blood supply and nutrition of the appendix tissue are disrupted. Later, necrosis (decay) and bursting occurs.
INCREASES
According to the available data, appendicitis can be seen at any age, but it most commonly occurs in young adults, in the 20-30 age group. It is seen around 5-10% in people older than 60 years of age. Appendices, which is most frequently seen in the 6-10 age group in children, is around 2 percent in those younger than 2 years old. An interesting picture is observed according to gender in terms of incidence. Before puberty, the rate of appendicitis in girls and boys is equal
SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS
Abdominal pain; It is the most important symptom of appendicitis. It usually starts around the navel or above the stomach. It is a blunt pain, it may decrease and increase, but it never completely disappears. It usually lasts 4-6 hours (may vary between 1-12 hours.) Then the pain settles in the lower right region of the abdomen. In some patients, the pain starts in the right lower quadrant and stays there. Depending on the different locations of the appendix, the pain may be felt in the back, right or left groin, or above the bladder and anus.
Anorexia is a symptom that is seen before pain in 90-95% of patients, but is ignored.
Nausea and vomiting; is an important indicator. Nausea is seen in 75 percent of patients. Usually, the patient vomits if he eats something, and does not vomit if his stomach is empty. In addition to these symptoms, the patient may also have complaints such as constipation, diarrhea and inability to pass gas. However, they are of no diagnostic value.
Examination findings may vary depending on where the appendix is ​​located in the body. Whether there is an explosion or not also affects the findings. While the body temperature remains normal in some people, it rises to 37.5-38 degrees in others. The patient’s avoidance of excessive movement and the increase in pain in cases such as coughing and jumping are important in terms of diagnosis.
DEFINITELY TREATMENT (Consult your doctor)
CAN CAUSE DEATH
Today, appendicitis operations are considered one of the simplest operations. However, although it is so easy to treat, appendicitis becomes a dangerous disease if neglected. When not operated on time, the explosion of the inflamed appendix can lead to death. There is a 15-25 percent chance of explosion in young adults, 50-85% in children, and 60-90 percent in the elderly. It’s simple when a doctor is consulted on time; but a deadly disease problem if it’s too late.
CONDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED
· When you have abdominal pain, never take painkillers on your own, definitely consult a doctor.
· Sometimes doctors can be wrong in appendicitis and stomach treatment is started by mistake. If your pain does not go away, you should go to the doctor again.
· If a normal appendicitis surgery is diagnosed early, it takes about 15-30 minutes and the patient stays in the hospital for 1 day. If the appendix has burst, the appendix is ​​surgically removed, the abdomen is washed, a drain (hose) is placed in the abdomen and the patient stays in the hospital for about 2-3 days.
Early diagnosis and correct treatment are life-saving.
· Today, there is no examination, laboratory or imaging method to diagnose appendicitis 100%. For this reason, the patient’s complaints, examination findings and blood tests are evaluated together and a diagnosis is made. Suspicious cases are followed up without painkillers.