Chronic appendicitis is diagnosed mainly in the female sex and is a very rare pathology. The disease develops with relief of acute appendicitis by any means other than appendectomy. People with this diagnosis are at risk and should be constantly monitored by a doctor.
Causes of the development of chronic appendicitis
Appendix is a disease that is an inflammation in the walls of the appendix of the cecum. According to statistics, in women this pathology develops much more often than in men. Two forms of appendicitis are known:
- The primary chronic process is a sluggish inflammation of the process that does not cause acute manifestations. The diagnosis is made when there are no experimentally or instrumentally confirmed diseases, in the symptoms of which there are pains in the right abdomen.
- Secondary chronic process - occurs with a recurring acute course of appendicitis. The main reason for this pathology is incorrectly provided assistance, in which scars appear in the tissues of the appendix and congestion develops. With the secondary chronic process of a person, periodic pain is tormented throughout life.
Chronic appendicitis, whose symptoms often recur, is better to remove in advance. Adverse factors affecting the body can cause exacerbations, which will lead to the development of acute appendicitis, requiring surgical intervention.
Symptoms of pathology
Many digestive and genitourinary diseases have the same manifestations as chronic appendicitis. Symptoms in women can occur in a mild form and do not cause increased attention. The main signs of appendicitis:
- heaviness and pulling pain in the right side - after overeating, eating fatty foods and physical exertion, the pain intensifies significantly;
- digestive processes are disturbed - a person is constantly accompanied by bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea;
- there are pains in the bladder, ureters, lower back, in women the pain can spread in the ovaries and vagina, and in men, discomfort appears in the rectum;
- urination becomes more frequent and painful;
- hyperthermia develops - in the evening, body temperature rises to 37.5-38 degrees.
For any manifestations of discomfort in the right iliac region and the appearance of intestinal disorders, it is urgent to seek medical help to prevent the development of complications.
Chronic appendicitis: symptoms in women
With an exacerbation of inflammation, the patient feels a pulling or aching pain, localized in the umbilical and right iliac region of the abdomen. She can not lie on her left side, difficulties with moving appear. Most often, these symptoms worsen at night or in the morning.
During a gynecological examination, severe pain appears, it is also characteristic of palpation of the abdomen. Women with diseases of the appendages may not recognize the exacerbation in a timely manner, which will lead to serious complications.
Features of the anatomical structure of the female body provoke pain in the abdomen during menstruation and during sexual intercourse. This is due to the proximity of the organs of the genitourinary and digestive systems. Therefore, any suspicion of appendicitis should not be ignored.
Diagnosis of chronic appendicitis
It is quite difficult to identify the chronic course of inflammation of the appendix. Pathology does not have pronounced symptoms and can differentiate with many digestive and genitourinary diseases.
After a detailed survey and initial examination, the patient needs to undergo additional examinations. Acute appendicitis, the diagnosis of which was carried out in a timely manner, will not cause serious complications in the patient.
In case of chronic appendicitis, the doctor may prescribe the following diagnostic measures:
- X-ray examination of the abdominal cavity - indicates the presence of blockage of the process of the cecum with fecal masses, which contributes to the development of a chronic inflammatory process. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in children.
- A blood test is necessary to determine the number of white blood cells in the blood, since it is these cells that indicate the development of any inflammatory pathology in the body.
- Urinalysis - with chronic appendicitis, all indicators should be normal. The appearance in the urine of red and white blood cells indicates the presence of infectious pathology and kidney disease.
- Ultrasound of appendicitis - allows you to quickly and accurately determine the inflammation or abscess of the appendix. Ultrasound examination eliminates the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system that have similar symptoms with chronic inflammation of the process of the cecum.
- Computed tomography - excludes all related diseases that have similar symptoms.
To make the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a complete examination of the body and exclude related pathologies. Any suspicion of appendicitis should be confirmed or refuted by a qualified physician.
Methods of treating pathology
The main method of treatment is appendectomy, which can be performed using an open method or laparoscopy. The decision on the need to remove the inflamed process is made by the doctor based on the results of the examination, the severity of symptoms and the general condition of the patient.
In some cases, you can refuse the removal of the appendix, when the risks of complications of appendicitis are high. In this case, doctors are required to provide the necessary conservative treatment (only if the elimination of the pathology is possible without surgery).
Conservative therapy includes the use of antispasmodic drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures and drugs that neutralize intestinal disorders.
Laparoscopy of appendicitis
Laparoscopy is an examination that is performed by introducing a thin tube into the intestine with a camera at the end. This method allows you to detect any disease in the intestines. Laparoscopy is a modern method of removing appendicitis.
For the operation, three cuts are made in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope is inserted into one of them. It allows surgeons to see everything that happens in the abdominal cavity and to regulate the direction of their actions.
Laparoscopy of appendicitis greatly facilitates the postoperative period - the patient can get out of bed in a few hours. The rehabilitation period is easier than with an open appendectomy, and the scars remain almost invisible.
Diet in the rehabilitation period and with conservative treatment
As with any pathology, with chronic appendicitis, a special diet must be observed:
- spicy, salty, fried and fatty dishes should be excluded from the daily menu;
- the menu should be divided into 5-6 meals in small portions;
- black tea and coffee should be excluded and give preference to fruit drinks, compotes and green tea;
- sweet soda, preservation, smoked meats and seasonings also need to be excluded from your menu;
- the diet should be balanced and include all categories of products.
Only compliance with all the doctor’s prescriptions will minimize unpleasant sensations and pain during exacerbations of the course of chronic inflammation of the appendix.
Complications of chronic appendicitis
The most dangerous complication is when chronic appendicitis develops into an acute form . Symptoms in women are exacerbated, there is severe pain, vomiting, and body temperature rises.
Perhaps the development of appendicular infiltrate - inflammatory tissue that is tightly welded together. It requires the appointment of painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures. After relief of acute symptoms (about 2-4 months), an appendectomy is recommended.
Chronic inflammation can cause the appearance of adhesions, which will provoke the transition of the pathology into an acute form. Complications of appendicitis caused by adhesions in the appendix are eliminated by physiotherapeutic methods or by surgery.
Chronic appendicitis during pregnancy
Since the gradual growth of the fetus causes displacement of the abdominal organs and puts pressure on the organs of the genitourinary system, inflammation of the appendix can become acute and dangerous for the mother and the unborn child. It is very important to carefully monitor your condition in the presence of a diagnosis such as chronic appendicitis.
Symptoms in women can be similar to many gynecological and urological diseases and require the care and responsibility of doctors in order to differentiate the exacerbation in time. To avoid the experiences and dangers associated with inflammation of the appendix, it is recommended to remove it at the stage of pregnancy planning.