Biology and Medicine

Early Diagnosis and Treatment methods for Appendicitis

Xiaomao Li^* Department of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
^*Correspondence: Xiaomao Li, Department of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, Email:

Received: 27-Oct-2022, Manuscript No. BLM-22-18731; Editor assigned: 31-Oct-2022, Pre QC No. BLM-22-18731(PQ); Reviewed: 15-Nov-2022, QC No. BLM-22-18731; Revised: 22-Nov-2022, Manuscript No. BLM-22-18731(R); Published: 29-Nov-2022, DOI: 10.35248/0974-8369.22.14.518

Description

The appendix is a narrow, finger-sized tube that projects out from the colon. It has no known function, but if it becomes inflamed or infected it leads to appendicitis, it should be treated immediately. About 5% of Americans develop appendicitis. It is the most common cause of abdominal pain requiring surgery.

An inflamed appendix can sometimes cause pain or they may rupture causing sudden, severe pain. A ruptured appendix can spread bacteria through the abdominal cavity. These bacteria cause a serious and sometimes fatal infection called peritonitis. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a closed tube of tissue attached to the large intestine in the lower right abdomen. Inflammation can occur when the appendix becomes infected or blocked by stool, a foreign body, or a tumor. Appendicitis can occur at any age, but it's most commonly seen in people in their teenagers.

Doctor may do an ultrasound of a person’s abdomen or pelvis, a CT of abdomen and pelvis, an MRI of a person’s pelvis, or an Xray to assess that infected person’s condition. The most common treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix. If the appendix ruptures and forms an abscess, doctors recommend percutaneous abscess drainage to remove infected fluid from the body. Appendicitis is a condition resulting from inflammation of the appendix. The cecum is closed tube of tissue that attaches to the large intestine in the lower right portion of the abdomen. Inflammation occurs when the appendix becomes infected or blocked.

The first symptom of appendicitis is pain, often in the middle of the abdomen but on the right side. The pain may be less at first, but it may become worse. Accompanying symptoms include lowgrade fever (higher than normal but below 40 degrees), vomiting, and nausea. Appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose because many other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Not everyone with appendicitis has all of these symptoms. If any of these symptoms, especially abdominal pain, continue to get worse, consulting a doctor is important. An ultrasound of the abdomen or pelvis may be done. Ultrasound is a type of imaging test that uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of the abdomen and/or pelvis.

Most people with appendicitis require an operation called an appendectomy. Remove diseased appendix. If the appendix has not yet ruptured, surgery can prevent it from rupturing and spreading the infection. Before surgery, a person will be given intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection. Some cases of mild appendicitis improve with antibiotics alone. Doctor will monitor closely to determine if a person need surgery. Surgery is the only way to treat abdominal infections when the appendix ruptures. If surgery is required, most appendectomies are done laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery is performed endoscopically through a small incision. This minimally invasive approach results in faster healing and less pain. If the appendix ruptures, major abdominal surgery (laparotomy) may be needed. A diseased appendix can rupture if left untreated. A ruptured appendix can cause infections that can lead to serious illness and even death. In some patients appendicitis can cause a lump called an appendix mass to form on the appendix. The lump is made of appendix and fatty tissue, and is the body's way of trying to deal with the problem and heal itself. If an appendix mass is found during an examination, doctor may decide it's not necessary to operate immediately. Antibiotics will be given and an appointment to have an operation a few weeks later.

A person may develop an appendicular abscess or infectious pus. Then healthcare provider will place tubes in that patient’s abdomen. These tubes remove fluid from the abscess before surgery. This process may take a week or longer. During this time, a person prescribed to take antibiotics to fight against infection. After the abscess is gone, a person goes through the surgery to remove the appendix. Abdominal surgery (laparotomy) removes the ruptured appendix and treats the infection.