Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency that requires all patients to receive timely surgical treatment. Even a slight delay can be life-threatening. The cause of appendicitis is due to obstruction of the appendix, which may occur from foreign objects entering, wounds, parasitic and bacterial infections, as well as fecalith obstruction. When these causes occur, the obstructed part of the appendix accumulates mucus, causing inflammation and swelling. The pressure in the inflamed area leads to blood clots blocking the blood vessels, obstructing blood and lymph flow. If appendicitis is left untreated, it will cause ischemia and necrosis of the appendix, leading to abscess formation, inflammation, rupture, peritonitis, and potentially sepsis, which can be fatal.
How to recognize symptoms indicating a risk of appendicitis
Because the danger of appendicitis depends on receiving timely treatment, it is very important for patients or close ones to observe symptoms carefully to ensure prompt medical care. Warning signs that may indicate appendicitis include:
- Unexplained abdominal pain
- Increasingly severe pain, continuous for several hours, characterized by intermittent cramping around the navel
- Low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite
- Worsening pain, especially severe pain in the lower right abdomen, which is a strong indicator of appendicitis. However, some patients may experience pain in the lower left abdomen, back, waist, or ribs, depending on the location of the inflamed appendix, as the appendix can be quite large, about 8-10 cm, and in some cases up to 20 cm
- Movement increases the pain; some patients experience such severe pain that they must lie still
Appendicitis is easily treated and worry-free with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery
After a diagnosis of appendicitis, surgery is the only solution to cure the condition because leaving it untreated can be life-threatening. Traditionally, appendectomy was performed as an open surgery with an incision on the lower right abdomen, about 3-10 cm in size. In cases of a ruptured appendix, the incision would be larger, extending along the midline of the abdomen, increasing risks, causing more pain, slower recovery, and longer hospital stays, which also increases costs. Nowadays, appendicitis can be treated with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery using the Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) technique. This involves making small skin incisions no larger than 2 cm to insert a camera and surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity and perform the surgery via a monitor. The advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy include no large scars, less pain, faster recovery, smaller wounds, lower risk of complications, and quicker return to normal compared to open surgery.
How to protect yourself from appendicitis
Since the main cause of appendicitis is obstruction of the appendix, often due to fecal matter or other foreign objects, the best way to prevent appendicitis is by “controlling behavior” related to diet and bowel habits. To reduce the risk, you should:
- Eat enough high-fiber foods to maintain normal bowel function and prevent fermentation or retention
- Drink plenty of clean water to keep the intestines hydrated and support efficient bowel movements
- Chew food thoroughly to aid digestion and reduce the risk of food particles falling into the appendix and accumulating into fecaliths
- Avoid eating guava seeds, watermelon seeds, etc., to prevent obstruction of the appendix
Good to know for better self-care
Today, appendicitis is a common condition that anyone can easily develop, and it continues to claim many lives. Statistics show that about 40 appendectomies are performed daily in provincial hospitals, with most deaths resulting from delayed treatment. Therefore, to save as many lives as possible, patients and their close ones must carefully observe symptoms of appendicitis. If there is any risk of appendicitis, seek medical attention immediately!!
