Experiencing pain in the lower right corner of the abdomen, we often think: what if the appendix? Many people know what appendicitis is, therefore, when pain appears in the area of \u200b\u200bits location, people immediately begin to wind themselves up and make false diagnoses. For the most part, our fears are not confirmed, such pain may be an echo of a simple indigestion. It could also be a sign of a stomach infection. But it could also be appendicitis. Therefore, it is important to know its main symptoms and what causes them. But let's go in order.
Appendix: what is it?
This is the name of the appendix of the rectum. Not all mammals have such a formation; cats, for example, do not have it, but it is present in the human body, monkeys and rabbits. It performs protective functions, is part of the immune system, in particular, restores the intestinal microflora.
The appendix is a kind of "nursery" for beneficial bacteria involved in digestion. Its role for the intestines is similar to that of the tonsils forrespiratory system. But for people who have survived an appendectomy, in other words, the removal of the appendix, it is more difficult to restore the microflora after infections than those who have this organ.
Let's now figure out where the human appendix is located. The photo below will make it possible to understand its approximate location and localization of pain during its inflammation.
Location of appendix
Surely you wondered: on which side is the appendix? It is located in the right iliac region, smoothly descending to the small pelvis. There are cases when it is located behind the caecum and reaches the liver with its upper part. The length of the process ranges from half a centimeter to 23 cm, the standard is about 7-8 cm, the width does not exceed one centimeter. So, now you know which side the appendix is on.
Appendicitis and its varieties
We figured out the answer to the question, where is the appendix. What is appendicitis, it is easy to guess - it is an inflammation of this organ. An interesting fact is that if a person has a right-sided heart, then his appendix will be in the left lower abdomen.
Now we learn about appendicitis in humans. Photos and symptoms will help you figure out what the disease is and how to recognize it.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix of the caecum becomes inflamed and filled with pus.
- Acute appendicitis is the most common form that occurs in adults and children. Inflammation and subsequent pain begin suddenly.
- Chronic appendicitis. Symptoms in adult men and women can occur quite rarely, and for children it is not typical at all. The disease has the same clinical picture, but the manifestation of inflammation is blurred in time.
Why does the appendix become inflamed? What is happening to him?
There is no definite answer, as there is no scientific theory that thoroughly explains the causes of appendicitis. There are hypotheses that this is due to the activity of the microflora that inhabits it, it may occur due to overeating when the digestive system is loaded with a large amount of protein food. Even an inactive lifestyle and sedentary work may be the reason.
Appendicitis symptoms
Here we will describe in detail the main and secondary signs of this disease. Please, if you find at least one of them in your home, call an ambulance immediately!
- Key symptoms. Abdominal pain occurs in the navel area and gradually moves to the lower right side of the abdominal region. When you press on your stomach, especially in these areas, you have a persistent painful sensation. Do not hesitate to call an ambulance if your stomach feels hard or bloated. Under normal conditions, the tissues of this area are soft, pliable to pressure. It hurts to stand and walk. You cannot move around without feeling constant pain, it is easier for you if you lie crouched. A characteristic sign of appendicitis is pain with a sharp weakening of pressure on the stomach.
- Additional signs of illness. These signs are optionalinherent in appendicitis, but their presence speaks of any other serious disease that immediately requires the intervention of doctors:
- fever, body temperature over 38°C;
- constipation combined with occasional vomiting;
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- painful urge to have a bowel movement, often false;
- pain in the back.
Children's appendicitis
Symptoms in adult men and women we have identified. Children, especially small ones, cannot always describe on their own what is happening with their body. So if you notice similar manifestations in a baby, sound the alarm:
- Child cannot sleep at night due to pain, he is restless.
- Sometimes he may scream, lie down in a fetal position or squat.
- Baby pointing to belly.
- Nausea and vomiting, particularly common in young children.
- Lack of appetite.
- Violation of the stool. When appendicitis is normal, it will not lead to loose stools.
Strictly prohibited
Do not take antacids (these are drugs that neutralize hydrochloric acid), as well as laxatives and painkillers, it is possible that they can aggravate your condition. You can not eat too s alty, sweet, fatty, spicy foods. Alternate animal protein foods with plant foods, add vegetables and fruits to your daily diet and beware of overeating. It would be useful to carry out the prevention of diseases of the digestive system.
Peritonitis
As you probably know, the described disease can be fatal. If you start an inflamed process, then it can burst from the pus that overflows it. And all the contents will enter the abdominal cavity, where irreversible inflammation - peritonitis - can begin. Sometimes, unfortunately, medical errors are made, and a patient with high fever and acute pain in the abdomen is placed in the infectious diseases department, losing precious time to establish the true cause of the pain. Therefore, it is better to describe to the doctor all the symptoms, even if they are not too significant, in your opinion. It would be useful to say directly that you suspect you have appendicitis.
Pay attention
You may not show the main symptoms, but even a high fever, vomiting or constipation can already be a sign of appendicitis. Sometimes, for example, with appendicitis, there is no high temperature at all, only in babies this indicator can rise high with any inflammatory process. You may also experience completely non-standard symptoms, such as: “seizes” the lower back, a painful sensation in the genitourinary organs. This is due to the fact that the appendix is located near these areas of the body, and pain can radiate to them.
In infants, pregnant women, the elderly, organ transplant patients, obese, diabetic, cancer, HIV patients, it is very difficult to determine this disease! Even ordinary fatigue can be a sign in these individuals. In people agedappendicitis can serve as a reason for the aggravation of chronic pathologies.
Conclusion
We have analyzed what are the symptoms of a disease such as appendicitis. How to check the presence of this pathology in men, women and children, you now know. The most important thing that we wanted to convey with this article is that do not ignore any malfunctions in your body, because they can be a signal of a serious illness.
