According to several statistics, more than 500 people are admitted to the emergency wards daily due to appendicitis. It can turn out to be pretty dangerous if not treated promptly; that’s why around 2 – 3 percent of this ratio die of this disease.
Despite this ratio, some of the cases are still not registered. Some people can’t realize they are going through something like this. They feel it is just a mild fever or something else, taking some medication and harming themselves more.
However, we care for you and are going to help you. This blog will comprehensively enlist everything about this disease and the tests you can get done frequently for a timely diagnosis. So, keep reading and discover some unknown facts.
What Is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis happens in the appendix, an elongated tissue tube stretched from your intestine on the bottom right part of your body. The appendix is composed of tissues that help in the formation of antibodies.
However, appendicitis is a severe disease caused by infectious inflammation of the appendix. When the appendix becomes infected or obstructed, it causes inflammation, and when it gets severe, it results in appendicitis.
Types Of Appendicitis
Appendicitis has two major types.
Acute Appendicitis
Acute appendicitis is relatively more severe and happens abruptly without any indications. It happens more in kids and young people between the age of 11 to 32. This type of appendicitis occurs in men more than women, with a ratio of 4:1.
In just a few hours, the pain intensifies, keeps growing, and becomes unbearable. It necessitates rapid medical attention. It can rupture your appendix if left untreated.
Chronic Appendicitis
Chronic appendicitis happens rarely and is way less severe than acute appendicitis. Several pieces of research have shown that it only happens to one out of a hundred people and is not as deadly as the other type.
Chronic appendicitis symptoms are mild and do not show up immediately. If diagnosed on time and treated properly, it takes hardly a week to recover from this appendicitis.
What Is The Major Cause Of Appendicitis?
Appendicitis influences one out of five lives in the USA. A person is most likely to get this disease at least once in their lifetime. Although it can occur at any age, it is most likely to hit individuals aged 12 to 32.
Appendicitis happens and turns into an alarming situation when the appendix becomes clogged, and the blockage gets intense. Several factors contribute to the occurrence of this disease.
How Do I Know If I Am Affected By Appendicitis?
Appendicitis needs immediate treatment. If you will not consider it as something serious and will keep on neglecting it, you will have to face some serious consequences. If it gets severe, you have to get it removed by surgery.
Now, the question that jumps into your head is, how do I know if I have appendicitis? We will answer it for you, as it is not too hard to evaluate and diagnose appendicitis.
Extreme pain, usually in the lower part of your stomach, is a major indication of appendicitis. The discomfort may initially be little but can get intense within no time. Some other symptoms include:
- Severe belly ache.
- Soreness near your navel area.
- Appetite loss.
- Extreme nausea.
- Vomiting after stomach pain.
- Swollen stomach.
- High fever.
- Unable to pass gas.
- Acute pain in your upper or lower tummy, back, or tailbone.
- Peeing that is painful or uncomfortable.
- Unbearable cramps.
- Constipation or diarrhea accompanied by gas.
Diagnostic Tests For Appendicitis
Appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose, but the latest scientific developments have made everything possible. Symptoms are frequently ambiguous or overlap with other disorders, such as gallbladder diseases, bladder or urine infections, colon disease, gas problems, kidney stones, intestinal infections, and ovarian problems.
However, some of these basic tests can help you diagnose this disease.
- Physical Checkup
- Medical Tests
- Imaging Evaluation
Physical Checkup
Diagnostic by physical checkup comprises of the following means:
A Normal Examination
During the normal examination, the specialist or medical helper will put gentle pressure on the sore location. Appendicitis discomfort typically worsens when the pressure is intensified. It indicates that the person is going through inflammation in his appendix.
Rectal Examination
It is another way of conducting a physical checkup to determine if you are going through appendicitis. It is also done to rule out any gynecological issues or other problems that are the cause of the discomfort.
Medical Tests
The following lab tests are conducted to diagnose appendicitis:
Urine Test
A urine test concludes whether you are affected by this deadly disease. It also helps with tract infections, renal issues, and diabetes.
Whether it is clear or cloudy and smelly, the pH value, excessive presence of some chemicals, or the contamination of bacteria or microbes. These are some of the factors that evaluate the diagnostic process.
Blood Test
A blood test is the best way to determine if you are suffering from appendicitis.
If the test result shows a high white blood cell count, it indicates that your body is going through some infection, which might be appendicitis. However, the blood test may also reveal whether you are dehydrated or if any fluids or electrolytes in your body are out of balance.
Imaging Evaluation
It is the most advanced diagnostic technology that explains whether the results are positive or negative and confirms them within seconds. Imaging evaluation consists of the following:
Ultrasound
Sound waves are used to build an image of your inside organs. An ultrasound does not expose you to excessive rays, which is a plus point. When testing for potential appendicitis in newborns, children, young adults, and pregnant women, doctors use this imaging evaluation as the first imaging test at any authentic ultrasound clinic.
CT Scan
Computed tomography scans synthesize x-rays and computer technology to generate detailed pictures of your internal organs. The radiation can be detrimental to showcasing the underlying issue. An Appendix CT scan should be performed after an ultrasound and an MRI to reduce the exposure of extensive rays.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging also helps diagnose appendicitis and some other dangerous diseases. It uses radio waves to create images of your body’s interior organs and soft tissues. Advanced Open MRI imaging is a secure and reliable substitute for a CT scan.
These are some of the most significant ways to find out if you are going through appendicitis or not. These easy-to-conduct means will generate results quickly, and the doctors or medical professionals can take it from there.
What is the difference Between Appendicitis And Normal Appendix CT Scans?
Knowing all these testing and diagnosing methods, you must consider whether appendicitis and a normal appendix CT scan are different. Let’s unwind this and tell you the variation and similarities between both.
Computed Tomography (CT) may help minimize the probability of getting falsely diagnosed. In addition, it is an optimum approach, with an accuracy rate of 93 to 98 percent. CT has drawbacks such as radiation exposure, cost, and possible problems from contrast material.
A CT scan reveals an inflammatory appendix smaller than 7 – 8 mm. CT scans can also identify inflammatory alterations such as inflammatory fat stranding, phlegmon, fluid, air bubbles, abscess, and adenopathy. That’s why it is highly preferred.
However, there is no such difference except the frequency. Appendicitis requires more detailed results as the doctors look for inflammation or blockage in the appendix. While a normal appendix scan doesn’t require such complexity because the results can be easily read with a minimal scan.
Is There A Way To Treat Appendicitis?
The treatment plan mostly regulates medications and surgery. The removal of appendicitis by operation or minor surgery is called an appendectomy. It takes around 30 – 50 minutes to complete in most cases.
Some other treatments may also be used. Mild appendicitis can improve with antibiotics alone in some situations. However, if it worsens, surgery is the only way to remove your appendix.
Some Home Remedies
If you are recovering from this disease or on treatment, or just want to follow some home remedies as a safety precaution, follow these:
- Take a lot of rest
- Consume plenty of fluids
- Drink around 8-10 liters of water
- Take a short walk every day
- Avoid intense activities and lifting heavy weight
- Maintain the cleanliness
- Make some dietary changes.
- Consume fibers for constipation.
Conclusion
It is important to treat and diagnose appendicitis immediately, or it can cost you too much. In this post, we have listed the symptoms and diagnostic measures to explain to you how to take care of yourself. Moreover, it is important to protect you from rushing to the medical center.
We hope this blog will help you know more about this disease and how you can diagnose and treat it. So, look into it and care for yourself the way we care for you — wishing you good health and life! However, if you feel like getting a check-up, it’s best to consult your physician or head over to AQMDI for a quick screening and consultation.