Appendicitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs in the appendix or appendix. This condition is usually characterized by symptoms of pain in the lower right abdomen. The symptoms of appendicitis are actually almost similar to various existing stomach ailments, so many people confuse appendicitis with other stomach ailments.
Appendicitis symptoms
To distinguish appendicitis from other abdominal pain complaints, you can recognize the symptoms that are there. In general, appendicitis sufferers will initially feel pain in the solar plexus, then within a few hours the pain will move to the lower right abdomen and the pain will persist in that area. Then usually appendicitis is also accompanied by symptoms of nausea, vomiting to fever.
In addition, to distinguish appendicitis from other stomach diseases, you can do a physical examination by lifting your legs when lying down and pressing on the stomach. If the right side of the abdomen feels painful when pressed, then this might be a symptom of appendicitis. If there are complaints that lead to symptoms of appendicitis, you should consult a doctor directly so that they can be handled properly.
What causes appendicitis?
- Lymph node hyperplasia
This condition occurs when there is enlargement of the lymph nodes at the entrance to the appendix which causes the passage of feces to exit the appendix to be closed, so that this can trigger obstruction of the duct in the appendix.
- Fekalit
Fekalit is a condition when there is a buildup of hardened feces or dirt resulting in a blockage. Usually this condition occurs because sufferers consume less fiber foods.
- Presence of parasites or worms
Although rare, some cases of appendicitis occur due to parasites or worms that develop and then block the appendix. Usually parasites or worms come from worm eggs that enter due to an unhealthy lifestyle due to consuming unhygienic food.
Treatment of appendicitis
Treatment of appendicitis is usually done by surgically removing the appendix. Currently there is a new method called the laparoscopic method or also known as keyhole surgery. What distinguishes this method from conventional methods is that the width of the incision in the laparoscopic method is only about 1 centimeter. So this method does not cause significant scarring and the recovery process is faster than conventional appendectomy methods.
In cases of mild appendicitis, there are alternative treatments other than surgery. Where is it said with a mild case of appendicitis, that is, if after a CT scan or ultrasound the diameter of the appendix is still less than 7 millimeters and the appendix has not ruptured. Appendicitis like this can be treated by giving antibiotics by a doctor who will then be observed for 2 to 3 days whether the pain in the stomach decreases or not. If the pain does not decrease, it will still be advisable to perform surgery.
In some cases, the abdominal pain experienced by sufferers can recur even though they have had an appendectomy. This usually occurs in an already fatal appendectomy, where the appendix has ruptured. In addition, pain can also be caused by a surgical incision that is too large, causing adhesions in the stomach. To really determine the cause of pain in the stomach, it is better to do further examination through a CT scan so that it can be treated properly.
Appendicitis is not a genetic disease, so this disease can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Lymph node hyperplasia can become enlarged due to bacteria entering it, meaning we have to make sure the food we consume is healthy and hygienic, and don't forget to maintain cleanliness by washing hands before eating.#LiveExcellently
Article reviewed by dr. Wendell Ken, SpB (General Surgeon at EMC Sentul Hospital).