Appendicitis is considered one of the most complex surgical pathologies. Even modern diagnostic equipment does not always allow specialists to determine this ailment in a patient in a short period of time. How is this disease treated? It is believed that with such a pathology, a person needs surgical intervention. But this event can cause complications. Are there any ways to treat appendicitis without surgery? This question interests many.
Pathology development mechanisms
The term "appendix" refers to the process of the cecum. Many people experience inflammation of this part of the body. Today, experts cannot accurately explain the mechanisms of development of pathology. It is believed that acute appendicitis (code according to ICD-10 - K 35) occurs as a result of blockage of the organ or the infection process in it. There are certain types of bacteria that can cause a similar ailment. The disease is characterized by a fairly rapid course.
An acute attack is accompanied by vivid symptoms, and ignoring them leads to serious complications. Doctors usually use surgery to treat appendicitis. Treatment without surgery is also possible. But it does not help in all cases. Sometimes the only way to preserve the patient’s life and health is to remove the inflamed process.
The main symptoms of pathology
The main sign of acute appendicitis (code according to ICD-10 - K 35) is considered to be pain in the peritoneal region, which has a pronounced character. The patient initially feels discomfort around the navel. Then the discomfort spreads to the entire abdomen. In addition to pain, there are other characteristic symptoms of the disease, for example:
- Lack of appetite, nausea, bouts of vomiting.
- Frequent and loose stools or constipation.
- Sense of fatigue, muscular tension in the peritoneum.
- Heat.
- Pale skin tone.
- Increased heart rate.
The occurrence of these signs indicates the likelihood of inflammation of the appendix. If these symptoms appear, call a doctor immediately. An organ rupture leads to serious consequences (acute inflammation of the abdominal cavity, intestinal obstruction). Can appendicitis be cured without surgery? The answer to this question can only be given by a specialist, and it depends on the form of the disease and the general state of health of the patient.
Pathology Detection Methods
To establish an accurate diagnosis, medical measures are prescribed. The following procedures help determine the presence of inflammation in the vermiform appendix:
- Examination of the patient, palpation of the peritoneum.
- Laboratory tests of biological material (urine, blood).
- Sounding.
- Assessment of the state of abdominal organs using an ultrasound machine.
If these procedures confirm the alleged diagnosis, the doctor decides on the methods of therapy. In the acute inflammatory process, as a rule, surgery is performed (removal of the appendix). However, there are methods for treating appendicitis without surgery. Most often they are used for a chronic type of pathology. Such methods involve the use of antibiotics and folk remedies based on plants. However, these drugs can not be used without first consulting a doctor.
Chronic type of pathology
This form of the disease is extremely rare. Several decades ago, experts did not even consider this phenomenon as a separate disease. Usually, pathology develops in young people. During this period, the body is able to resist inflammation for a long time. There are two types of chronic appendicitis:
- Primary. It is a weak inflammatory process, which almost does not manifest itself over time and is detected by chance.
- Secondary. The ailment arises as a result of complications after treatment of an acute form of appendicitis (if the surgery was unsuccessful).
Symptomatology
In patients with a similar ailment, discomfort periodically occurs in the lower right peritoneum or near the navel. Sometimes the pain gives to the thigh or groin. It increases with sneezing, physical exertion, coughing, lifting the right leg. The patient suffers from impaired intestinal activity. In case of exacerbation, nausea and vomiting occur.
Is it possible to treat appendicitis without surgery in chronic form? The answer to this question depends on the condition of a particular patient.
Some people do not experience severe discomfort, and their symptoms disappear without surgery. The well-being of other patients is significantly worsened, and the doctor decides to conduct the operation. Mild attacks of chronic appendicitis are usually treated with drugs.
Antibiotics as a treatment method
Foreign experts conducted a study during which patients with bouts of illness did not undergo surgery. Therapy was limited to the use of medications. The following antibiotic treatment for appendicitis was used:
- Intravenous administration of medicines (Cefotaxime, Tinidazole) in the first two days.
- Taking pills. Patients had to drink drugs for a week. They were prescribed Tinizadol and Ofloxacin.
As a result of this therapy, 3 out of 4 people were discharged from the hospital without the need for surgery. However, the researchers did not know about the further condition of the patients. Perhaps one of the patients relapsed.
Other drug therapy options
Several studies have been devoted to the treatment of appendicitis with antibiotics without surgery. They showed that drugs that destroy bacteria help eliminate inflammation.
It is these agents that act on microorganisms that contribute to the development of inflammation of the appendix. These include, for example, Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin. The question of how to treat a particular patient should be decided only by the doctor. It is extremely undesirable to take antibiotics on your own.
Alternative methods of therapy
Such funds do not completely get rid of the inflammatory process. But they can significantly alleviate the condition of the patient. Typically, these methods are used in combination therapy with other drugs. In chronic appendicitis, treatment with folk remedies can reduce discomfort during an exacerbation. These include, first of all, decoctions of medicinal plants (bitter wormwood, white clover, yarrow). These herbs have an analgesic effect. Instead of analgesics, you can use an infusion of cumin seeds in milk.
Means for external use
How to relieve inflammation of appendicitis without surgery? With a chronic type of pathology, it is recommended to use an ointment. It can be used for a long time. The tool helps to reduce pain. To prepare it, you will need an egg, 100 grams of butter and 150 milliliters of vinegar. This method gives a good effect if applied in the evening or at night. To make the ointment, you need to place the essence in a large bowl. Put the egg in vinegar. After a day, when the shell is dissolved, it is removed and cleaned. Put on another plate. Pour with the same vinegar and add oil. The resulting mixture is stored in a cool place for several hours. Ointment is used as rubbing or compresses. A sore spot should be covered with a layer of foil and a gauze bandage. In the presence of ailments of the myocardium and blood vessels, this method is contraindicated.
Alternative methods of therapy after surgery
There are cases when the condition of a patient with a chronic type of pathology deteriorates sharply. In such situations, the doctor decides to have surgery. Sometimes after surgery, complications arise, for example, an adhesion process. Of course, such phenomena adversely affect the patient's condition. To eliminate them, medicines and folk remedies are used. A good effect is the use of decoctions and compresses based on medicinal plants. In addition, tea from the root of incense is recommended for patients. Useful in this condition are drinks from nettles, rose hips, lingonberries.
Compresses from flax seed are applied to the sore spot. They help eliminate the adhesion process in the peritoneum.
It should be noted that all remedies based on medicinal plants should be used only after prior consultation with a specialist.
Conclusion
Treatment of appendicitis without surgery is a relatively new method of therapy. This method is quite controversial. It is not used in all cases. Acute inflammation of the appendix in many situations requires surgery. With a mild form of pathology, a chronic type of appendicitis, treatment with drugs that have an antibacterial effect is possible.
However, this method is not a guarantee that the patient will not relapse. During antibiotic therapy, a person should be in a hospital setting so that doctors can constantly monitor the state of his body, conduct an examination, and make laboratory tests. In any case, only a specialist should decide the choice of treatment method and medication regimen.