In the process of evolution, the human body has undergone many changes, and some organs, so necessary for our ancestors, but absolutely useless for modern man, remained, albeit in a slightly modified form. Thanks to this heritage, scientists have the opportunity to trace the stages of evolution.
Useless atavism
One of these organs is the appendix. This is a formation in the form of a process on the cecum measuring 7-10 centimeters. He inherited from our herbivorous ancestors, who helped to cope with the digestion of hard-to-digest fiber and cellulose.
Its role and functions in the human body are not fully understood. However, there are suggestions that it is not at all as useless as is commonly believed, but takes part in humoral immunity and the neutralization of toxins.
Despite the small size, a lot of trouble and even death can be caused by the appendix - this sometimes happens with inflammation.
Dangerous symptoms
Most often, this disease affects children aged 9-12 years, in children it is less common. However, any person can be at risk, especially if there are trauma to the abdominal cavity, worms, infections, and constipation.
Appendicitis is a disease in which the appendix is inflamed. Symptoms that may indicate this are as follows:
- pain syndrome;
- increase in body temperature;
- nausea;
- vomiting
There are some differences in the symptoms of men, women and children, but the overall picture of the disease is most often similar. The pain is localized in the right lower abdomen, since this is where the appendix is located in humans.
When the first signs of appendicitis are manifested, in no case should you warm your stomach, take painkillers and wait for everything to form. The pain may subside, but the risk of complications, such as peritonitis, or the development of chronic appendicitis is increased . At the first suspicion, you must immediately consult a doctor, since delay can lead to very dangerous consequences.
Diagnostics
At the hospital, you will be given all the necessary diagnostics to confirm the diagnosis. Start with a general examination, temperature measurement, palpation. Symptoms of Shchetkin-Blumberg, Mendel, Kocher, Sitkovsky will also help the doctor identify the inflamed appendix. Urinalysis and blood tests are provided. A biochemical and clinical blood test will reveal the presence of an inflammatory process and disorders of the internal organs. A urinalysis will help monitor the functioning of the urinary system.
Radiography can be shown to show how the appendix has changed. This will provide a clear picture of the disease. An ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and the appendix itself, a study for the presence of parasitic diseases, and an electrocardiogram will also be conducted.
In emergency cases, the manifestation of several symptoms is enough to immediately appoint an operation that involves removing the appendix.
Surgical intervention
Appendicitis is not treated medically, only surgical intervention is provided. There are two options that are used in medical practice, with which the appendix is removed: this is laparoscopy and appendectomy.
The most frequent is the traditional band operation, but the first option is gaining more popularity, because it involves faster recovery, reduces the risk of large blood loss, and postoperative scars are much less than after a classical incision.
Possible complications
Complications after surgery can be very serious. There is a risk of peritonitis, suppuration and divergence of sutures, internal bleeding, sepsis, the development of adhesions. For a speedy recovery and to avoid complications, all the doctor's prescriptions must be followed.
After operation
In addition to a successful operation, postoperative care and the rehabilitation period are no less important. In the first hours after removal of the appendix it is forbidden to get up. This should be done gradually, increasing the load in the next few days.
It is also recommended to limit physical activity within 1.5-2 months. You should also adhere to fractional frequent meals, based on only products authorized by the surgeon. This is mainly light food, such as:
- all kinds of broths;
- boiled porridge;
- steamed meat and vegetables;
- dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese).
It is strictly forbidden to eat fatty, fried and spicy foods.
The big mistake is the opinion of the majority that the appendix is a harmless organ. According to statistics, a third of all surgical interventions occur in operations to remove appendicitis, and it is detected in six out of a thousand people. And the saddest thing is that there is evidence of deaths.