5 Signs of appendicitis and its treatment

The first signs of the intestine are generally felt in the form of pain that suddenly appears in the lower right abdomen or near the navel. Although sometimes the pain can still be endured, this condition cannot be left alone. This is because the appendix is ​​at risk of rupture and endangering lives.

Appendicitis (appendicitis) is inflammation that occurs in the appendix or finger-shaped pouch that is connected to the large intestine. This condition causes pain in the lower right abdomen. As the inflammation progresses and gets worse, the pain will get worse.

5 Signs of appendicitis and its treatment

Although anyone can experience appendicitis, people aged 10–30 years are more likely to experience this condition.

Until now the cause of appendicitis is not known with certainty. However, injury to the stomach, obstruction of the appendix, or inflammation of the intestine is thought to be a trigger for inflammation which causes signs of appendicitis.

Signs of appendicitis to watch out for

Apart from the age factor, appendicitis is also more at risk of occurring in men and people who have a family history of this disease. If you are at risk for appendicitis, the following are signs of appendicitis that you should watch out for:

1. Pain in the lower right abdomen

Pain as an early sign of appendicitis starts from the navel and then spreads to the lower right abdomen, where the appendix is ​​located. When it occurs in the navel, the pain that occurs is intermittent. New pain will persist or occur continuously and will hurt more when it radiates to the lower right abdomen.

Pressure on the stomach, such as when coughing or walking, can exacerbate complaints of pain.

The location of the pain can vary, depending on the age and position of the appendix. Like during pregnancy, pain which is a sign of appendicitis can come from the upper right abdomen, because the position of the appendix will be higher than the position before pregnancy.

2. Nausea and vomiting

Inflammation of the appendix can cause swelling of the intestine which triggers the reflex of nausea and vomiting. In addition to these two signs of appendicitis, sufferers of this condition sometimes complain about bloating.

3. Loss of appetite

Because of frequent nausea and vomiting, people with appendicitis may lose their appetite or not be able to eat at all. This is also supported by research showing that levels of the hormone ghrelin (a hormone that regulates appetite) in people with appendicitis tend to be lower.

4. Diarrhea or constipation

Inflammation of the appendix can also trigger diarrhea or constipation. This symptom is often mistaken for the common stomach flu, so it is often ignored.

However, if the diarrhea you experience lasts more than 2–3 days and is accompanied by mucous or bloated bowel movements. This needs to be watched out for as signs of appendicitis.

5. Fever

Apart from pain in the lower right abdomen and indigestion, appendicitis sufferers also often experience fever or chills. This is marked by an increase in body temperature of around 37.2oC–38oC. This increase in body temperature occurs as the body's response in fighting infections that cause appendicitis.

If not treated immediately, the appendix can rupture and the body temperature rises to more than 38.3o C.

In addition to general symptoms, appendicitis can also be accompanied by other signs, such as back or buttock pain, difficulty or pain when urinating, and stomach cramps.

Treatment of Appendicitis

If not treated immediately, inflammation can rupture your appendix. This triggers the infection to spread throughout the abdomen which is called peritonitis. To prevent complications due to appendicitis, consult a surgeon immediately if you experience signs of appendicitis.

In ascertaining whether the complaint you are feeling is appendicitis or not, the doctor will carry out several examinations, including:

  • Physical examination, one of which is by pressing gently on the painful area of ​​the stomach
  • Blood test
  • Urine test
  • Ultrasound or CT scan

In mild cases, appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics alone or without surgery.

However, if the signs of appendicitis are severe or cause complications, the doctor will usually perform an operation to remove the appendix using the following methods:

Appendectomy

Appendectomy is an operation with an incision 5–10 cm long on the lower right abdomen, to remove the inflamed appendix. If the appendix ruptures and festers, a small tube is inserted into the abscess to drain the pus and fluid out of the abdomen.

Laparoscopy

In addition to appendectomy, removal of the appendix inflammation can also be done with laparoscopic surgery. The doctor will make several small incisions in the abdomen to insert a special small tube equipped with a special camera and scalpel to perform the operation.

However, this method cannot be done if the appendix has ruptured and the infection has spread.

Given that the signs of appendicitis are often confused with other medical conditions, even ignored, you should see a doctor if you experience it. Examination will help determine the cause and get the appropriate treatment.

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