Catarrhal appendicitis is a superficial inflammation of the appendix. In this case, morphological changes affect only the mucosa of the appendix. This pathology is considered one of the most common and accounts for approximately 90% of all surgical diseases.
What precedes the catarrhal stage of appendicitis?
The causes of the disease are many. Among them:
- penetration into the appendix of pathogenic microorganisms;
- bacterial and viral infections of the abdomen;
- extensive inflammatory processes in the peritoneum;
- abnormal process cuts;
- undigested pieces of food that block the outlet from the body;
- abdominal trauma.
Very often catarrhal appendicitis manifests itself during pregnancy. Often the disease affects the smallest patients.
Symptoms of catarrhal appendicitis
The main manifestation of the ailment is pain on the right side of the abdomen. Sometimes it appears immediately there, and in some cases gradually "moves" from any other part of the peritoneum.
In addition, acute catarrhal appendicitis can be suspected by:
- dry mouth ;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea (if irritation of the intestinal wall is observed);
- constipation (appear mainly at the onset of the disease);
- increase in temperature;
- weakness;
- signs of intoxication.
Secondary catarrhal appendicitis - what is it?
If the appendix is infected not independently but "infected" by the inflammatory process from other organs, a secondary catarrhal appendicitis is diagnosed. It is possible to detect this form of the disease only during surgical intervention.
Typically, the secondary catarrhal appendicitis leads to problems such as:
- peritonitis;
- diverticulitis;
- ulcerative diseases of the stomach and duodenum;
- acute adnexitis ;
- acute destructive cholecystitis;
- Crohn's disease;
- enteritis;
- enterocolitis;
- pyosalpings.