What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis usually indicates a severe pain in the lower right abdomen. But you can also feel pain somewhere else, for example, in the middle of the abdomen or upper right.
Appendicitis should always be treated. Otherwise, get a crack in the intestines. Then peritonitis occur which is perilous. Appendicitis, you will likely undergo surgery.
Appendicitis is actually the wrong name. It is not the cecum which is kindled but a little bit of gut that hangs down the cecum. This is called the appendix
Appendicitis diagnosis
The doctor asked what symptoms you exactly when they started and if you have suffered here more often. Then the doctor will examine your abdomen. They look at your belly and listens for the intestine makes noises. She feels on the outside of your abdomen, but also on the inside. This internal investigation is done through the anus. In women, sometimes through the vagina.
Appendicitis sometimes resembles another disease, such as a bladder infection and food poisoning. Your doctor will therefore examine whether you suffer. This can be done with a blood test, urinalysis, ultrasound and X-rays of the abdomen.
Because appendicitis can be dangerous, the doctor must quickly make a diagnosis. It may even be dangerous to wait for all the results of investigations. So maybe you are already operated while it is not quite sure whether you have appendicitis. The doctor only sees during surgery or you really have appendicitis. Usually that does so: about nine out of 10 people undergoing surgery for appendicitis, have really appendicitis.
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis?
How do you know if you have appendicitis?
Appendicitis often begins with mild abdominal pain. Sometimes nausea and vomiting the first symptoms.
You will then receive considerable pain. This already occurs after hours or only after a few days. The pain often begins near the navel. Then he lowers. The pain is over the bottom right of your abdomen. For some people, the pain right in the middle or the right.
It hurts a lot when someone touches your belly and let go. It also does a lot of pain when you cough, sneeze or laugh. Or if, for example driving a car over a threshold. This process is called getting hurt.
In a small number of people tear through the intestinal inflammation. That gives an unbearable stomach ache and high fever. Sometimes there are bacteria from the intestine into the bloodstream. Arises blood poisoning. Actually, it is then ignited throughout the body. You will get chills, high fever, a very rapid heartbeat and breathing. Consciousness is less. You will then be taken directly to the hospital.
What is the treatment for appendicitis?
Doctor treats appendicitis as soon as possible. A surgeon gets inflamed piece of intestine from the abdomen. This is usually done with keyhole surgery (laparoscopy). If the diagnosis is not certain, you get a classic operation. The surgeon can then see the organs around the cecum better.
Perhaps the surgeon sees during the operation that you have no appendicitis. They immediately see if they can find another cause. And maybe she can handle at once. You will only hear after the operation, what was the cause, and if there's already done something about it.
You can already home to prepare for the operation.
You can not be operated
It may be that you may not be operated on, even though it is certain that you have an appendicitis. This happens when there are adhesions around the inflamed intestine. Then, the inflammatory bowel disease is covered by other pieces of intestine.
The ignition must then first be reduced. You should rest a lot before. This may take a few weeks. Maybe you should remain a time in bed and maybe you will get antibiotics. Your doctor will discuss with you what is the best treatment for you. In your blood to see if the inflammation settles. You should therefore regularly make prick blood.
If the inflammation is very less, the surgeon can operate. Sometimes, this is no longer necessary. Then the appendicitis has passed.
After an appendectomy
After an appendectomy you stay a few days in the hospital. You will receive fluids and medications through an IV. It takes time for the gut again works quite well. Therefore, you get little bits to eat and drink. The faster the intestine recovers, the sooner you can eat normally again.
You may probably after two to five days back home. You then have stitches in your belly. Which may, after about seven days off. The doctor at the hospital tells you when to come back for control, and who will take out the stitches.
It may take a few weeks before you're fully recovered. Ask your doctor when you can do everything.
Very occasionally occurs after surgery inflammation. You will then fever. The wound may also bleed some. When should you call your doctor?
- Your temperature is higher than 38 °.
- The bleeding does not stop by itself.
- You will feel a few weeks after surgery a severe cramp in your stomach. Then there may be adhesions occur.