Appendicitis in women: signs and symptoms, how to diagnose

Appendicitis is quite common. The disease affects women and men, children and the elderly. A special risk group for women. According to statistics, every second person removed the appendix. But signs of appendicitis in women can be qualified as a manifestation of gynecological diseases, which will lead to irreversible consequences. To confirm the diagnosis, the girl will have to undergo a full examination so as not to cause the development of pancreatitis or an abscess of organs and tissues as a result of a ruptured appendix.

Causes of inflammation of the appendix

The appendicular process, which is located at the end of the cecum, can become inflamed even in a completely healthy woman. The fact that a woman has more organs in the abdominal region often makes it difficult to diagnose the correct disease.

Reasons affecting the inflammatory process in the appendix:

1. Microorganisms of a pathogenic nature. The inside of the appendix contains bacteria and viruses that cause inflammation.

1. Blockage of the opening of the appendicular process. It occurs through the fault of the accumulation of solid masses (husks, bones, helminths, hardened feces).
2. Inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes or the appearance of neoplasms near the passage of the appendicular process.
3. Inflammatory processes in organs and tissues (tonsils, sinuses, dental diseases).
4. HIV infection. Weakened immunity is at risk of developing appendicitis against the background of cytomegalovirus infection, tuberculosis, etc.

In addition to physical causes, a psychological cause can provoke inflammation. Stressful situations negatively affect the female body as a whole, and not just neurological health.

Signs of appendicitis

The symptoms of appendicitis in women are often similar to those of the menstrual cycle. The localization of pain is mainly in the right iliac region, affecting the lower abdomen. At the first stage of inflammation, the pains are weak, have a aching, dull character, which is often attributed by beautiful ladies to premenstrual syndrome.

It is also difficult to identify the first appendicitis symptoms in pregnant women. Nausea and vomiting are often attributed to toxicosis, abdominal pain - the movement and growth of the fetus in the womb, the tightness of the abdominal cavity - a symptom of uterine hypertonicity.

The appendicular process is not always located in the iliac region on the right. The lower location affects the uterus, ovaries, ureters, kidneys. The location behind the stomach provokes pain in the back. Sometimes the liver suffers.

Diseases in women, similar symptoms with the manifestation of appendicitis:

• Diseases of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. On the right side, they are located in close proximity to the appendix, infections have similar symptoms of manifestations as with appendicitis.
• Bulging of the colon wall, leading to diverticulosis. It manifests itself in a similar way, shows a close location to the appendix, surgery is required.
• Diseases of the organs located in the upper abdominal cavity (ulcer, liver disease, genitourinary system).
• Intoxication caused by acute intestinal obstruction.
• An ectopic pregnancy presents with pain in the lower abdomen and right side.
• Kidney disease.

Most often found acute appendicitis, but is able to manifest itself chronic. It manifests itself periodically, but the operation is not necessary in this case. However, surgeons still recommend getting rid of the appendix.

Symptoms of appendicitis

Appendicitis in adult women is primarily manifested by soreness in the abdominal cavity, then other signs join:

1. Pain syndrome. Soreness pulling, unexpressed (the female gender is often mistaken for a symptom of PMS). It hurts not only in the ileal part on the right, but also on the left, in the center of the abdomen, in the umbilical ring, in the hypochondrium. During pregnancy, it is mainly localized in the side of the stomach, under the ribs. The disease, as it progresses, is exacerbated, the pain becomes paroxysmal, similar to labor pains. You can understand that this is an inflammation of the appendicular process by coughing a little. In this case, the painful sensations increase many times over.
2. Nausea, vomiting. Additional typical symptom of appendicitis. An adult suffers less than a child. If children vomit several times, then an adult woman will get off with one stream of vomit. Nausea is constant.
3. Feverish condition. The increase in temperature in the initial stages of inflammation is small (up to about 38 degrees). At the third stage, a lowered body temperature is manifested (below 36), at the fourth, neglected, it reaches 40.
4. Stomach upset. General intoxication of the body causes an alternating state of the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea gives way to constipation, frequent urge to urinate. The color of the urine becomes dark yellow.

The doctor can check for inflammation by symptoms:

• Zhendrinsky. The patient lies on her back, the doctor palpates the navel, which leads to painful sensations. Getting up, the woman feels an increase in pain. The localization of inflammation is located near the reproductive organs.
• Shchetkin-Blumberg. After palpation, pain occurs in the peritoneal region.
• Promptova. A gynecological examination is painful.

Similar signs are found in diseases: pyelonephritis, pancreatitis, ulcers, cholecystitis.

Diagnosis of appendicitis

For any symptoms, it is recommended to call the emergency team. This will save life if the disease is confirmed. The early terms of an attack of appendicitis are more operable, the development of pathologies is minimized.

Blood is taken initially at a medical facility. If the level of leukocytes is elevated, the patient is sent for a general examination and research procedures (ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, radiography). A urine test is also checked to rule out diseases of the genitourinary system. If for some reason the diagnosis is not established, laparoscopy is performed (modern technologies allow the procedure to be carried out with minimal damage to the skin, the scar will be invisible).

During the examination, you must fully describe the pain symptoms, indicate the nature of the manifestation. If possible, remember the exact time of the onset of pain.

Removal of the appendix

Treatment of appendicitis is impossible, the inflamed appendix is ​​surgically removed. Operations are divided into two types:

• Planned operation. It is performed for patients with obvious contraindications. First, they get rid of pathologies, then the appendicular process is removed.
• Emergency operation. It is carried out a couple of hours after arrival at the hospital. It is used for acute manifestation of appendicitis to eliminate the possibility of further pathological process (peritonitis, abscess of tissues and organs located in the immediate vicinity of the vermiform process).

Further stay of the patient in the hospital does not exceed 10 days. If necessary, the doctor can extend the observation (if pathologies are possible).

After surgery, pulling pains in the suture area will disturb. If the pain increases or there is a lump in the wound area, you may need to reoperation. Such manifestations indicate the formation of adhesions or the resumption of inflammatory processes (abscess).

Pain symptoms indicate the development of inflammatory processes in the female body. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate, take painkillers, apply a heating pad to your stomach! The only option is to call an ambulance at home. If appendicitis is not confirmed, the doctor will send for a gynecological examination to find out the causes of pain.

Otherwise, the examination will allow you to find out the causes of the symptoms, respectively, to heal. Health is the most valuable thing in life, it must be maintained as long as possible.