Appendicitis? Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Appendicitis is an inflammation that occurs in the appendix or appendix. The appendix is ​​a small and thin bag-shaped organ of 5 to 10 cm long, connected to the large intestine. With appendicitis, patients may experience pain in the right abdomen. Without control, the infection can become serious and the intestinal tract rupture, causing severe pain and endangering the lives of those affected.

Appendicitis can occur at any age, but usually at the age of 10 to 30 years. Appendicitis can be partially or completely caused by blockades in the appendix. Extensive appendicitis is an emergency and must be treated immediately.

Symptoms of appendicitis

The main symptom of appendicitis is pain in the stomach. The pain can go from the belly button and then move to the lower right corner of the stomach. However, the position of the pain may vary, depending on the age and the position of the appendix itself. The pain can get worse within a few hours, especially if we move, breathe deeply, cough or sneeze. Moreover, this pain can also occur suddenly when the patient sleeps. If appendicitis occurs during pregnancy, pain in the upper abdomen may occur, because the position of the appendix increases during pregnancy.

• The symptoms of abdominal pain can be accompanied by other symptoms, including:
• Anorexia
• Flatulence
• Can not dispose of gas (farts)
• Nausea
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fever

Ask your doctor if you experience abdominal pain that gradually worsens and spreads to your entire abdominal area. This condition can be a sign of a broken appendix, which can cause an infection of the abdominal cavity or peritonitis.

Causes of appendicitis

Appendicitis occurs because the appendix is ​​infected. In this state the bacteria multiply quickly, causing the cecum to become inflamed, swollen and suppurative. It is believed that many factors cause someone to develop appendicitis, including:

• Barriers on the door of the cecum
• Thickening or swelling of the appendix tissue due to an infection in the digestive tract or in other parts of the body
• Feces or growth of parasites that clog the appendix of the secret roof
• Abdominal injury.
• Diseases such as tumors in the stomach or inflammatory bowel disease.

However, the cause of appendicitis is still uncertain.

Diagnosis of appendicitis

Diagnosis of appendicitis starts after the doctor has answered the patient's symptoms and performed physical examination. The research aims to assess pain and is done by pressing on the painful area. Appendicitis is characterized by pain that worsens after pressure relief.

To ensure a diagnosis, the doctor must perform a number of tests. The test has the form of:

• Blood tests to check the number of white blood cells that indicate infection.
• Urine test to eliminate possible other diseases such as urinary tract infections or kidney stones.
• CT scan or ultrasound to ensure abdominal pain due to appendicitis.
• Pelvic examination to ensure that pain is not caused by reproductive problems or other pelvic infections.
• Pregnancy test to ensure that the pain is not caused by an ectopic pregnancy.
• Chest X-ray to ensure that the pain is not caused by good pneumonia with symptoms similar to appendicitis.

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