Types of appendicitis: classification and forms

Appendicitis is an acute surgical disease accompanied by symptoms of intoxication and abdominal pain. Its main feature is its rapid development, requiring surgical intervention - removal of the appendix. The lymphoid tissue it contains plays the role of the immune system in childhood. The disease occurs when the appendix does not cope with its work due to inflammation in the intestines.

Clinic of appendicitis

At the beginning of the disease, the clinic is similar to other diseases. Women may regard the painful sensations as inflammation of the appendages. Men, feeling pain in the bladder, mistake it for a urological or renal problem.

It is necessary to be wary if in adults:

• Pain, discomfort in the abdomen on the right side, usually beginning in the morning or at night.
• Tight belly.
• Rapid pulse.
• White tongue.
• Nausea, repeated vomiting.
• Fever 2-3 hours after the onset of pain.
• Flatulence.
• Diarrhea or false urge to have a bowel movement.
• Difficulty walking, relief from lying down.

In children under 3 years of age, this disease practically does not occur, since breastfeeding creates protection against inflammatory processes.

Children from 3 to 7 years old cannot correctly explain their pain, therefore, in order to recognize appendicitis, you need to rely on the following signs:

• Decreased activity.
• White plaque on the tongue.
• Moving pain from the navel to the right, lower abdomen, occurs above the pubis or in the right hypochondrium.
• An increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees, not associated with a cold.
• Lack of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Frequent stools or diarrhea, possibly mucus.
• Pain in the abdomen, endless for several hours, aggravated by coughing.
• When pressing on the abdomen, the pain decreases.
• Impaired urination.

In children over 12 years of age, the symptoms are similar to those of an adult. A special feature is the toxic scissors syndrome. At normal body temperature or a decrease in it, an increased pulse rate of up to 120 beats per minute is observed.

Causes of occurrence

There is no specific theory about the causes of its occurrence. But there are some medical-assumed factors:

• Reduced immunity, general weakening of the body, low body resistance.
• Features of the anatomical structure of the appendix itself, obstruction may occur in the bends.
• Women's gynecological inflammatory diseases.
• Frequent constipation.
• Stool obstruction can create inflammation.
• Dysbacteriosis.
• Poor nutrition. Eating a large number of foods of no value. A small amount of products that inhabit the intestinal flora with beneficial microorganisms.
• Vascular diseases. The formation of vascular congestion leads to thrombosis.

Scientists say that schoolchildren and adolescents who have consumed seeds or chips the day before are more likely to see a doctor with appendicitis.

Types of appendicitis by the nature of the course

According to the nature of the course, appendicitis is divided into types: acute and chronic. Treatment for both is to perform a surgical removal of the appendix - an appendectomy.

1. Acute - develops rapidly, has bright, sharp symptoms and requires urgent surgical assistance.
2. Chronic is much less common, more difficult to diagnose. Has mild pain symptoms that can be tolerated.

Call an ambulance if unusual signs appear. Until the arrival of the doctor, do not take actions that may aggravate or accelerate the process of the development of the disease.

It is forbidden:

• Take pain relievers, laxatives;
• Warm your stomach;
• Drink alcohol.

Classification of appendicitis

1. Catarrhal, that is, superficial inflammation. This initial stage of the disease lasts about 12 hours. Accompanied by aching abdominal pain.
2. Phlegmonous. It is an acute form of the disease. This is an inflammatory process of the appendix, in which its size increases due to pus, the intestinal walls swell, increase. The patient's condition is sharply deteriorating. Further development leads to a breakthrough of pus. The duration of this form is no more than 24 hours. Urgent surgery is important. Otherwise, complications will ensue: blood poisoning, which is fatal; peritonitis; the development of destructive changes; intestinal obstruction.
3. Gangrenous. This is a type of appendicitis in which cell death occurs. The entire appendix dies off. At the same time, nerve endings die off. For this reason, there may be no pain. This includes: late seeking medical help, childhood - due to the rapid development of the disease, the category of elderly people - due to reduced immunity.

1. Complicated appendicitis:

• Appendicular infiltration. The inflammation is concentrated around the appendix. More common in children over 12 years of age. Symptoms are vivid. Pain in the navel, which may dull later. With this disease, preliminary conservative therapy, physiotherapeutic treatment, and the use of antibacterial agents are required.
• Peritonitis. Inflammatory process of the abdominal cavity caused by bacteria, microbes, more often Escherichia coli and staphylococci. Treatment of peritonitis depends on the degree of the disease, timely visit to the clinic. At the onset of the disease, the body fights germs, then symptoms appear: weight loss, fever, drowsiness, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat.

Medical diagnosis of appendicitis

Emergency actions and tactics of a medical worker largely determine the outcome of the disease that has arisen. The suspicion of a doctor or nurse of appendicitis during the examination of the patient, palpation of the abdomen, and a correctly compiled anamnesis are supplemented by an analysis of urine and blood for the content of leukocytes. The laboratory result shows an increased content of leukocytes. This is a confirmation of appendicitis.

Additional diagnostics are possible:

• Ultrasound of the appendix;
• CT scan;
• MRI;
• Diagnostic laparoscopy - This is the most informative examination method that allows you to accurately establish the type of inflammation.

The final result according to the appointment of the operation is given by the surgeon.

Atypical forms of acute appendicitis

The forms differ in signs depending on the location of the appendix in the body and are accompanied by pain in different places.

1. Pelvic appendicitis. When the appendix is ​​located in the pelvis. Diarrhea, painful urination, and groin pain are common symptoms.
2. Subhepatic appendicitis. It is rare. Painful sensations arise in the gallbladder, in the right hypochondrium.
3. Left-sided appendicitis. Internal organs are located in a mirror position.
4. Medial. It is extremely rare, the process of the cecum is located next to the small intestine. Severe pain, fever, and vomiting develop.
5. Retrocecal. The organ is located close to the right kidney. Back pain and bladder pain, diarrhea is a common symptom.

Treatment of appendicitis

Treatment today acute appendicitis the only way is recognized - operational.

Appendectomy is an operation to remove the inflamed appendix. The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia. The choice of pain relief is determined by the presence of comorbidities. General anesthesia is preferable for people with diseases of the nervous system, with increased nervous excitability, and overweight.

Methods: the classical method of surgery and laparoscopic appendectomy. The second advantage has a number of reasons:

• Short recovery period;
• Local anesthesia;
• Minimal trauma to the abdominal cavity;
• Minimum complications;
• Cosmetic effect;
• The duration of the operation (1 hour).

Appendicitis is a serious threat to human life if left unattended. This is the most common surgical disease, which affects 1 in 200 people annually. The varieties of the clinical form and its classification are complex. Each person should be aware of the existence of such a disease in order to correctly, quickly respond to signs and not to confuse it with another ailment.

Immediately seek the help of a physician if something incomprehensible occurs in the body. This is the most common disease among children, young and middle-aged adults 20-40 years old. Pregnant women are most susceptible due to reduced immunity, frequent constipation, due to the movement of internal organs. Caring for your own and the health of loved ones is the best way to a long, healthy, happy life!