How to determine appendicitis at home

In the body of every person since birth there is an appendix. This is a small offshoot of the colon, which is a pocket. Since the body is hollow, it can accumulate remnants of feces, various bacteria, microorganisms. Inflammation of the appendix is ​​called appendicitis. Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases that requires surgery. Inflammation of the appendage can be treated in a conservative manner, but this is extremely rare. It is much easier and safer to simply remove the process and forget about its existence. After all, it does not carry some vital function, but in case of peritonitis it can lead to blood poisoning and death.

Why appendicitis occurs

Here are some factors that can cause an inflammation of the appendix.

1. Inflammation can begin due to an infection that has penetrated from other organs. For example, in case of purulent sore throat and sepsis, the bacterium can descend into the tissue of the process and begin to multiply there, activating the inflammatory process.
2. If the passage to the appendix is ​​blocked by feces, the contents will start to stagnate, rot and lead to illness.
3. Statistics show that people who eat a lot of meat suffer from appendicitis more often. This applies to all protein products - their excess leads to inflammation of the appendix. Interestingly, during the famine and serious wars, patients with appendicitis became much smaller.
4. Sometimes the appendix itself and its particular shape can cause stagnation of the contents. When individual bends in the process can get fecal masses, which are then difficult to bring out.
5. Often, inflammation occurs due to a decrease in immunity, when even minor bacteria can cause a serious inflammatory process.
6. Sometimes the infection is transmitted through neighboring organs. This is especially noticeable in women.In this case, the appendix picks up inflammation from the uterine region.
7. Foreign objects can also be a source of inflammation. Often, appendicitis can cause a bone from a berry, a peel of seeds, a fish bone. Objects that are not digested easily fall into the hollow process, and the process of decay begins.

These are the main causes of inflammation. Appendicitis is cunning because it can break through, leading to serious consequences. If a person does not get to the operating table three hours after peritonitis, it is unlikely to be saved. This once again confirms the need and importance of a quick visit to the doctor. But what symptoms can indicate appendicitis? When should I call an ambulance immediately?

How appendicitis hurts

The first and main symptom is abdominal pain. Pain with appendicitis is characterized by a change in its location. First, the middle of the abdomen hurts, near the navel or slightly higher. The patient may think that he has started intestinal colic or aggravated gastritis. After a few hours, the pain drops a little lower to the right side.The patient often experiences “floating” pain, that is, cannot precisely determine its position. Often this is a fundamental factor for the ambulance brigade. Such symptoms indicate the need for urgent transportation of the patient to the surgical department.

The nature of the pain may be different. It then increases, then disappears, then increases, then releases. Appendicitis can be acute and chronic, although the latter is rare. Acute appendicitis is characterized by severe pain. To relieve it, a person lies on his right side and presses his knees to his chest. Chronic appendicitis can last for years, and is characterized by slight pulling and aching pains. Often, appendicitis pain increases with walking, coughing, sudden movements. If the pain is gone - this is no reason for joy. The appendix may have ruptured and the body is becoming infected.

The pain in appendicitis is quite sharp, it is difficult to endure. Often pain leads to loss of consciousness. If the pain intensifies on the left side and weakens when the person is lying on the right side of the body, this is another reliable sign of inflammation of the appendix.For home diagnostics, do the following. Lay the person on a flat surface. Press lightly on the belly on the right side. If there is acute piercing pain, from which the patient may even scream, there should be no doubt. We urgently need to go to the hospital.

How to determine appendicitis at home

It is necessary to understand that the pain in the abdomen can be not only with appendicitis. Some diseases of the internal organs have similar symptoms. So what changes in the body are characteristic for inflammation of the appendix?

1. Increased body temperature. In chronic appendicitis, there may be a slight increase that lasts for a long time (37 degrees). In acute appendicitis, the inflammatory process in the body produces a high temperature; in children, it is above 40 degrees. Hyperthermia is worth paying attention to if there are no other symptoms, such as a cough, red throat, or a runny nose.
2. Many patients with appendicitis develop nausea and vomiting. Often, because of this, an intestinal infection or poisoning is diagnosed. In this case, you should pay attention to vomiting. When appendicitis after it does not get better.But in case of poisoning vomiting brings at least some relief.
3. Another symptom of appendicitis is stool disorder. Often with inflammation of the appendix, diarrhea or constipation occurs. When constipation can not take laxatives, they can increase inflammation.
4. Because of the disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient loses his appetite, weakness, dizziness, sweating and pallor of skin.

Sometimes the process has an individual shape and is located closer to the back. In this case, the pain can be given to the dorsal region and resembles renal colic.

Appendicitis in some groups of patients

There are certain groups of patients in whom appendicitis proceeds with various features.

1. Pregnant Appendicitis often occurs in pregnant women. Here really pay attention to the place where it hurts. After all, the growing uterus squeezes all organs, the appendix is ​​usually pushed up and can hurt right under the ribs. Appendicitis in pregnant women is even more dangerous, as it can harm not only the mother, but also the fetus. Diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnant women has its own characteristics.After all, even a healthy woman experiences various aching and cutting pains during pregnancy, especially in the later periods. This is due to the compression and deformation of many organs. In addition, nausea and vomiting can be confused with toxicosis.
2. Children. Often, appendicitis occurs in children, including small ones. Inflammation of the appendix in children under two years of age is due to the immaturity of the digestive tract or due to the nature of the individual structure. In children older than seven years, the symptoms are similar to adults. Appendicitis is difficult to diagnose in young children, since they cannot express the nature of the pain, cannot accurately show where the pain is. The vagaries and crying can be a symptom of anything. However, some signs are still present. A kid with appendicitis involuntarily takes the pose of the least pain, that is, lies on the right side, presses his legs to his chest and curls up.
3. Elderly Appendicitis most often occurs in people of mature age. But in this case, it is worse to diagnose. Due to the growth of the pain threshold, old people often suffer pain for a long time, which can lead to the worst.In addition, one of their characteristic symptoms, like constipation, they perceive as the norm.

Sometimes the classic symptoms of appendicitis are different in diabetics, obese people, patients who have undergone an organ transplant. Symptoms may also be different in HIV and oncology.

What to do if you suspect appendicitis

The first thing that may come to mind is to consult a doctor. Appendicitis is not a joke. With rapid response, surgery to remove appendicitis poses no difficulty. But if you take the time and bring it to a break, the irreparable can happen. Especially, it is necessary to react urgently if the patient has a chronic illness, if it is a pregnant woman, a child or an elderly person. In such situations, only call the ambulance brigade.

If the pain is moderate, it cannot be ignored either. Be sure to consult your GP or gastroenterologist. Before going to the doctor, do not drink painkillers - they can hide the true picture. It is also very important to refuse food. First, on an empty stomach, diagnosis is more reliable.Secondly, a full bowel can accelerate peritonitis, if you really have an inflammation of the appendix.

Diagnosis of appendicitis

If an inflammation of the appendix is ​​suspected, the patient is prescribed a series of examinations.

1. The first is a simple poll. It is very important to tell the doctor in detail about all the changes in the body over the past few days. Even if it was a one-time vomiting the day before yesterday, and you sinned on a stale fish eaten the day before. Tell your doctor about the nature and intensity of pain, about other sensations.
2. Another important diagnostic method is an examination by a doctor. The doctor palpates the abdominal area, carefully checking the area with various techniques. For example, if the muscles on the right side are tense - this is a sure sign of appendicitis.
3. In addition, a general blood test is prescribed. A large number of white blood cells indicates an inflammatory process. Often, an analysis is assigned over time — that is, two analyzes with a difference of an hour. If the number of leukocytes increases - urgently on the operating table.
4. Another study that needs to be done to confirm appendicitis is an abdominal ultrasound scan.Usually it is quite reliable and the inflamed process is clearly visible on it.
5. Sometimes a patient is prescribed a colonoscopy - the endoscope is inserted into the rectum and the state of the appendix is ​​observed. But this method of research has recently become increasingly rare.
6. Laposcopy is the most reliable, convenient and effective way to “get” inside the abdominal region. A pair of thin holes is made on the stomach, through which an optical device is placed in the region of the colon. The study is conducted in the operating room, the patient is under anesthesia. In the case of an inflamed appendix, it is immediately removed.

These are the main diagnostic and therapeutic measures that you may encounter with suspected appendicitis.

Modern scientists have proven that the appendix is ​​still a necessary organ, since a huge number of beneficial intestinal bacteria live in its cavity. People after removal of the appendix longer recover after intestinal infections and poisoning. But if the process is inflamed, it must still be removed, and as soon as possible. Be alert and attentive to your health in order to live a long and happy life.

Video: how to distinguish appendicitis from other abdominal pains