Suspected appendicitis: what to do, which doctor to see

Appendicitis is a pathological condition of a patient with inflammation of the appendix of the cecum. Pathology develops rapidly, carries a threat to life, is exacerbated by a strong attack of pain. Failure to receive the help of specialists leads to the development of complications, even the death of the patient. With symptoms of inflammation of the appendix in adults and children, you need to call an ambulance team, know how to help yourself and your neighbor if you feel unwell. What to do if you suspect appendicitis, how to understand that an attack has occurred, how to behave to avoid complications before an ambulance arrives, is discussed in the article.

Symptoms of an attack

An attack of appendicitis occurs suddenly for the patient. The first characteristic sign is acute pain in the abdomen, near the navel. The sensation spreads down to the right in the peritoneum. The attack is accompanied by:

• Desire for nausea;
• Infrequent vomiting;
• The pulse quickens;
• Tachycardia appears.

The temperature rise symptom is unstable. At an early stage, it is possible to raise the body temperature to 37-38 degrees, then a decrease to normal is noted. If the attack develops rapidly, the penetration of purulent masses into the peritoneum is possible - the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above.

How to identify appendicitis at home

If you find these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you need to make sure that there is an attack of appendicitis. For diagnostics at home, it is necessary to probe the abdomen at the location of the appendix. When pressed, there is a firmness, compression of the muscles of the peritoneum.

Methods for detecting an attack of appendicitis:

1. The patient is instructed to lie on his back on a flat, hard surface.
2. Press with your fingers on the location of the appendix in the right side.
3. Remove your hand abruptly.

When, when feeling, pressing, there is a strong soreness - the next step is to call an ambulance.

There are a number of circumstances worth considering. Almost every patient with appendicitis feels nausea, vomiting. Children feel the urge to nausea more often. The appearance of constipation, diarrhea is possible. Children endure these symptoms at an elevated temperature almost always.

When the pain is severe, the patient wants to lie on his right side to ease the situation, curled up in a ball.

If the patient has colic in the abdomen, is nauseous, vomiting is present, the abdomen is enlarged, swollen, the person cannot to urinate is a complicated situation, perhaps not just the presence of an attack of appendicitis, but a more serious ailment, development complications. Possible intestinal pathology, breakthrough of the appendix, penetration of the contents into the body. You cannot make unnecessary movements, the only option for behavior is to call an ambulance or an ambulance.

Options for helping yourself or your neighbor

While health care workers are on the road, it is important to provide all possible assistance to a patient with a seizure. The main thing in a difficult situation is to remain calm, not to harm. It is important to know the rules of behavior for symptoms that indicate acute appendicitis. You will need to do the following:

1. Providing rest, lying position.
2. It is better for the patient not to get up, try not to move.
3. The patient should not take water, food, pain medications. This will distort the picture and give complications.
4. It is important to put a cold object on the abdomen in the place of soreness, a heating pad with cold water, ice.
5. In the presence of strong thirst, a glass of mineral water without gas is allowed.
6. Prepare the patient's documents, necessary for admission to the hospital, a policy, a passport, money for the arrival of doctors.

If you can get to the hospital as soon as possible, it is better to do it yourself. They go to the doctors in the surgical department, other treatment options, except for surgery, are not expected for appendicitis.

How to help a child

With an attack appendicitis in a child the situation is complicated by the fact that children are not able to accurately determine the sensations, indicate the location of pain, describe the symptoms. When the child is small, in infancy, a clear sign of inflammation of the appendix may be pulling, pressing the legs to oneself.

You need to try to recognize the attack, to feel the right side of the child's abdomen. If there is a crying reaction, the appendicitis is probably inflamed. It is worth tracking the child's physical activity. With appendicitis, children refuse to get up, walk, and often remain in the supine position.

The following signs become evidence of inflammation of the appendix in a child:

• The kid loses his appetite, but is thirsty.
• The body temperature is elevated.
• The child does not move, lies on the right side, curled up.
• When examining the tongue, a gray coating is observed.
• Possible manifestation of diarrhea, constipation, urine becomes dark.

The only correct option for helping a child would be to contact medical professionals. It is necessary to deliver the baby to the surgery on your own, if there is no possibility - immediately call the ambulance team.

Help for a pregnant woman

Determine the state appendicitis in a woman in a difficult position, the symptomatology is sometimes taken as a manifestation of toxicosis. Symptoms of the development of an attack in a woman during pregnancy do not appear immediately. Depending on the duration of pregnancy, sensations can be located in different parts of the abdomen. At the beginning of pregnancy, before 12 weeks, the pain is located in the navel, on the right side of the peritoneum. After the end of the first trimester, sensations appear more in the supine position.

At the beginning of 4 months, the appendix is ​​placed higher, under the pressure of the enlarged uterus. Localization is determined closer to the woman's liver. Sensations can be given to the area of ​​the right kidney.

Signs appendicitis in a pregnant woman women:

1. Discomfort, a feeling of soreness when lying on the right side.
2. Unpleasant sensations when feeling the left side of the ribs, in the supine position.

For a woman, being in a state of bearing a child, especially after the end of the 1st trimester, it is difficult determine appendicitis yourself. The palpation method is invalid, does not allow an accurate diagnosis. It is important to seek medical help on time, make a diagnosis with the help of equipment, by ultrasound.

In the absence of pregnancy, a woman should definitely consult a gynecologist. It is important not to confuse the manifestation of an attack with inflammation of the appendages, gynecological ailments. Examination by a gynecologist is also indicated for symptoms in girls.

Upon admission to the admission department, the doctor compulsorily conducts a survey of the patient, performs the mandatory actions:

• Analysis of blood, urine.
• Examination of the peritoneal cavity using ultrasound equipment.
• Examination using computed tomography.

These measures are required for an accurate diagnosis, to exclude possible diseases with similar symptoms. It is important to distinguish appendicitis from other pathologies: intestinal colic, renal colic, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

When the inflammation of the appendix is ​​confirmed, the doctor prepares the patient for surgery, the treatment of an attack is possible only surgically by removing the appendix of the cecum.

The patient needs to understand that the use of folk remedies and methods will not help in case of inflammation of the appendix, as well as the use of analgesics and other pain relievers. It is important to seek help from a doctor in time: the course of the disease is rapid, with the wrong tactics, it leads to serious complications and death.

Summing up, it is worth highlighting the basic rules of behavior when diagnosing appendicitis in oneself or a neighbor:

1. Preparation of the necessary documents for admission to the hospital.
2. Calling an ambulance team or going to the surgery department on your own - if possible.
3. Providing rest, lying position while waiting for an ambulance.
4. Refusal to use water, food, medicines, pain relievers.

Following the tactics of behavior will allow not to harm, to maintain health. An early appeal to specialists will relieve an attack of appendicitis without the development of aggravating conditions.

It is important to monitor your health, try to follow the principles of rational nutrition, daily routine, healthy, good sleep. Strong immunity, physical fitness, physical activity will significantly improve the quality of life, feel vigor and full of energy. A healthy body is able to cope with the onset of infection on its own, preventing the development of the disease, complications and long-term treatment.