Definition
In the event of a rupture of the appendix, the small appendix appendix appendix breaks open and the contents enter the abdominal cavity. The cause is an inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis). A rupture of the appendix is life-threatening and must be treated immediately.
The leakage of the intestinal contents causes the inflammation to spread and further complications. However, since appendicitis can be treated well, the therapy is usually free of complications and patients do not experience any long-term consequences. Appendicitis usually occurs in adolescents or young adults.
Causes
If not treated in time, appendicitis leads to a rupture of the appendix. The most common cause of the inflammation is a voiding disorder of the appendix. This can be caused by a kink, scarring or faecal strands.
Due to the passenger disorder, the bacteria in the appendix can multiply, causing inflammation and swelling. In rare cases, foreign bodies or worm infestation can also be the cause. Another reason for appendicitis can be an inflammation in the intestine that spreads into the appendix.
Therefore, patients with chronic inflammation of the intestine, such as ulcerative colitis, are more likely to be affected. The inflammatory process and the bacteria in the appendix damage its tissue and cause it to die. This process finally leads to a breakthrough and the bacteria, pus and possible remains of stool reach the abdominal cavity. Here the inflammation can spread, which can lead to a very painful peritonitis.
Symptoms
In the course of appendicitis until the breakthrough, the type of pain and the pain localisation changes. In rare cases where the appendix is located in a different position, pain may also occur in the flanks or in the right upper abdomen. In addition to the pain, patients suffer from fever.
In addition, nausea with vomiting may occur. Patients have no appetite and are constipated. – At the beginning, the pain is felt in the middle upper abdomen.
They are dull and difficult to localize. – These migrate to the right lower abdomen. Here the pain is more intense under pressure or shock.
They are sharp and easy to localize. – If the appendix ruptures later on, the pain typically disappears. Later on, they reappear diffusely throughout the entire abdominal cavity.
The main signs of an impending appendicitis are the symptoms of appendicitis: the more inflamed the appendix is, the more it presses on the peritoneum, which is the source of the pain signal. If the appendix bursts, i.e. if there is a rupture of the appendix, this pressure decreases. The most important sign of an appendix bursting is therefore when very severe pain in the right lower abdomen suddenly causes the pain to subside.
At the latest then an emergency doctor must be alerted immediately. – severe pain in the right lower abdomen
- Nausea
- Fever
Since a rupture of the appendix is usually the result of a pronounced appendicitis, a course without pain is extremely unlikely. However, it is typical for an appendicitis to be accompanied by a sudden reduction in severe abdominal pain.
The appendicitis itself is not painful. In addition, the perception of pain or the ability to express pain may be reduced in elderly people and seriously ill or disabled patients. In such a case, appendicitis with subsequent appendicitis rupture can be without pain or with little pain.
