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Appendicitis
What department should I go to for appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a common disease in general surgery, so one can register for a general surgery appointment. In clinical practice, the diagnosis of appendicitis is mainly based on clinical manifestations. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. The abdominal pain starts around the navel and then moves to the lower right abdomen after several hours, where the pain becomes localized. Once diagnosed with appendicitis, surgery is often required. Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy is commonly used. This surgical method requires general anesthesia and is relatively complex, but recovery is quicker, and patients typically can be discharged after a routine 3-day hospital stay.
What to pay attention to with appendicitis
Patients with appendicitis should pay attention to diet adjustments and regular routines, as well as choosing the correct treatment method. Diet should be lighter, consume more vegetables, ensure smooth bowel movements, eat less raw, cold, and spicy foods, rest more, and avoid excessive fatigue, especially staying up late. Additionally, pay attention to active and effective treatments. Currently, surgical treatment is the main approach, and laparoscopic appendectomy can be chosen. This surgical method involves less bleeding during the operation and a faster postoperative recovery, requiring a rest period of two weeks post-surgery.
How to relieve appendicitis pain
Pain relief for appendicitis can be achieved using medications, such as antispasmodics and sedatives. If medication control is ineffective, surgery to remove the appendix should be considered, as this can address the root cause of abdominal pain. Moreover, for acute appendicitis, surgical treatment is relatively definitive. While medications can manage symptoms temporarily, appendicitis often recurs after some time. Laparoscopic appendix removal is an option that causes less harm to the patient and typically allows for a quicker postoperative recovery.
Does acute appendicitis cause vomiting?
Acute appendicitis can cause vomiting due to inflammation stimulating spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to vomiting, another typical symptom is abdominal pain, which starts around the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen, and it is more commonly fixed in the lower right abdomen. The inflammation entering the bloodstream also causes fever, generally not exceeding 38.5°C. If there is significant pus formation or appendix perforation, it can cause high fever. The treatment primarily involves surgical removal of the appendix, with laparoscopic appendix removal being commonly used nowadays. This surgical method has less bleeding during the operation and a faster recovery afterward.
Does appendicitis surgery hurt?
Appendectomy is performed under either epidural or general anesthesia, so the procedure is completely painless. However, postoperatively, as the anesthesia wears off, there may be slight pain at the incision site. Painkillers can be taken if the pain is intolerable. Additionally, close monitoring of vital signs is important postoperatively. Regular dressing changes at the surgical site and dietary control are required. For the first one to two days after surgery, a semi-liquid diet is recommended. From the third to the fifth day, patients can gradually transition to a normal diet. Furthermore, consuming high-protein foods can enhance nutrition and promote healing of the incision.
Acute appendicitis clinical features
Acute appendicitis generally presents primarily as abdominal pain, specifically migratory pain to the lower right abdomen. Initially, the patient may experience stomach pain, which gradually shifts to pain in the lower right abdomen. Whether it is appendicitis needs to be diagnosed by a physical examination by a doctor, or an ultrasound of the appendix during the acute phase can be performed. If the appendix appears significantly swollen on the ultrasound, it can also confirm the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Typically, the best treatment for acute appendicitis is surgery, especially if the condition is very severe and critical, as it may lead to perforation of the appendix and result in purulent peritonitis, which is very serious and life-threatening. Therefore, once diagnosed with acute appendicitis, it is best to be hospitalized for surgery.
Causes of appendicitis
The main causes of appendicitis are the narrowing of the appendix lumen and the subsequent blockage of the appendix lumen. Bacterial infection can directly cause acute inflammation. Additionally, poor dietary habits in daily life can also trigger appendicitis. These include overeating and binge drinking, engaging in strenuous exercise right after eating, consuming strong tea, coffee, or spirits, neglecting rest, and excessive fatigue. Therefore, for the prevention of appendicitis, it is mainly important to develop regular lifestyle and eating habits, with meals at fixed times and in measured amounts, and consuming more vegetables to ensure the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Does chronic appendicitis cause a high fever?
Chronic appendicitis is just a common gastrointestinal disease. Generally, chronic appendicitis does not involve fever. However, a low-grade fever may occur when the inflammation in some cases of chronic appendicitis is not well-controlled. A small percentage of chronic appendicitis can acutely flare up and lead to a purulent infection, causing purulent appendicitis, which may lead to perforation of the appendix, diffuse peritonitis, septic shock, and high fever. Therefore, it is essential to actively treat chronic appendicitis, and early surgical intervention is recommended.
Is appendicitis prone to recurrence?
For acute appendicitis, if the appendix is not removed surgically, it is relatively prone to recurrence, and chronic appendicitis may also develop. Therefore, once appendicitis is diagnosed, surgery to remove the appendix is generally required. The more commonly used surgical method is laparoscopic appendectomy. This method involves less bleeding during the surgery and quicker postoperative recovery, with minimal damage to the body. Only small scars can be seen on the body surface, making it a preferable option for those concerned about aesthetics.
Which location does appendicitis hurt?
The typical symptom of appendicitis is pain in the lower right abdomen. Generally, during acute appendicitis, the pain can last for several hours or even longer, with about 70% to 80% of patients experiencing characteristic migratory pain in the lower right abdomen. Migratory pain in the lower right abdomen refers to initial pain in the upper abdomen that later manifests as persistent pain in the lower right abdomen. However, some patients initially present with pain in the lower right abdomen directly. In some cases of pregnant women with acute appendicitis, due to the appendix being pushed upward by the enlarged uterus, pain can also occur in the upper right abdomen. Additionally, acute appendicitis is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.