Appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for surgery among young people. It is an inflammation that, if not treated in time, can lead to death and requires emergency medical intervention.

Next we will see the symptoms, causes and treatment of appendicitis , as well as its general characteristics and the approach with which the psychological accompaniment is carried out.

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is a type of infection that appears in the appendix, an area of the large intestine located in what is known as the “cecum” , which is the end where the appendix communicates with the small intestine. It is a small elongated chamber with a single entrance in the shape of a deflated balloon.

It is a part of the digestive system that, although not important for maintaining a good level of health, can become infected relatively easily.

Causes of this infection

Appendicitis infection usually occurs when a collection of stool blocks the appendix for a long time. However, it is also possible that the problem originates from a tumor in the area, worms that parasitize the intestines, or even from trauma affecting that stretch of the digestive tract.

The infection begins when from the intestinal mucosa a build up of secretions begins to appear, which causes pressure within this cavity to increase. This puts pressure on the surrounding veins and arteries, which causes ischemia in the appendix tissue and a bacterial battle leading to infection.

On the other hand, the accumulation of pus in this part of the large intestine can cause the appendix to rupture , thus generating peritonitis (the peritoneum is a membrane that covers and protects part of the viscera.

Symptoms

The symptoms of appendicitis begin as moderate pain in the navel area, which may be accompanied by occasional cramping. After a few hours, this pain moves down and to the right side of the lower abdomen, several inches above the groin (in that half of the body).

Also usually appears high or moderate fever and typical symptoms of gastrointeritis.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by obtaining data through various means. Mainly, these consist of:

  • Abdominal palpation
  • Blood, urine, and stool tests
  • Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan
  • Information disclosed by patients, referring to pain experienced (in normal situations and during palpation).

It must be taken into account that no diagnostic method is infallible by itself , and that is why it is important to keep in mind that these data are always combined and at the same time the possibility of another disease, such as gastroenteritis, is assessed.

Treatment

Once appendicitis has occurred and has been identified as such, all possible medical interventions go through surgery . The procedure basically consists of removing the inflamed appendix as the liquid that has gathered around it. If peritonitis has also been generated, it is usually necessary to leave the wound open to carry out a general washing of the area and to close it later by sewing.

It is important to perform surgery as soon as possible to avoid perforation of the appendix , which could lead to a chain reaction of infections, multiple organ failure and death.

Psychological accompaniment of the patient

Given the frequency with which appendicitis occurs among young people, it is very possible that the patient will feel frightened and intimidated both by the pain and fever and by the prospect of having surgery done on a delicate area of the body, on one of his or her vital organs.

That is why it is very important, first of all, to inform about the nature of appendicitis , a disease that if treated in time will not go away, but that must be treated urgently-

It should also be noted that the removal of the appendix, despite affecting such an important area as the large intestine, does not significantly affect the quality of life, and that normal life will continue after the operation.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to inform that the surgical intervention will leave a scar of several centimetres (normally, 3 or 4) in the lower abdomen, on the right, in a diagonal direction. This is an area that can be exposed with certain usual pieces of clothing, as well as swimwear.

This can damage the self-image if you have very high expectations that the surgery will leave everything as it was, and that is why the intervention must be approached differently: as a measure that, despite offering a high percentage of guarantee of success, is urgent and is done to avoid very severe problems that could lead to death.