Chronic appendicitis is a disease that is rare enough, unlike an acute form of pathology. The appendix is an appendage of the caecum, having the appearance of tubular formation and carrying out in the body a number of secondary functions, among which:
- protection of the intestines from pathogenic microorganisms due to the presence of lymphoid tissue;
- separation of small intestine from thick;
- the production of enzymes necessary for the digestion of food (amylase, lipase);
- synthesis of hormones that affect intestinal peristalsis, etc.
Causes of chronic appendicitis
It is believed that chronic inflammation of the appendix may arise due to relief of an attack of acute appendicitis without surgical intervention or with incomplete appendectomy. In addition, this form of the disease sometimes develops primarily, bypassing the acute stage, due to infectious processes in the abdominal cavity on the background of reduced immunity. The development of chronic inflammation is facilitated by the excesses of the appendix, the presence of adhesions, cysts, hyperplastic lymphoid tissue, and circulatory disorders.
It is worth noting that earlier there were doubts about whether there is chronic appendicitis, but today the symptoms of this form of the disease, characterized by slow processes, are described quite clearly. Let's consider what are the symptoms of chronic appendicitis in adult women, and how this pathology is treated.
Signs of chronic appendicitis in adult women
With long-term chronic appendicitis in the process of the cecum, atrophic and sclerotic changes can develop, scars and adhesions appear, which leads to closure of the lumen and deformation of the appendix, its adhesion to surrounding tissues. The main manifestations of pathology are as follows:
- moderate pain pain periodically arising in the ileum or near the umbilical area, especially after physical exertion, defecation, intense coughing, inaccuracies in the diet (in some patients pain is constant);
- attacks of nausea , vomiting;
- stool disorders.
Sometimes there are also symptoms from the pelvic organs, namely:
- frequent urination ;
- soreness in the rectum;
- discomfortable sensations, pain during intercourse.
Body temperature is normal in most cases, although there may be a rise in body temperature in the evening.
Symptoms of chronic appendicitis can be troubling for more than one year, and there is always the possibility of a disease transition into an acute form. When exacerbation of chronic inflammation of the appendix is observed:
- intense acute pain in the abdomen, increasing with pressure;
- tension of the anterior wall of the abdomen;
- increased body temperature;
- thirst;
- severe nausea, etc.
These signs are an indication for urgent medical attention, because the disease threatens the development of gangrene or perforation of the appendix.
Treatment of chronic appendicitis
The main method of treating this form of the disease is surgical (appendectomy). In rare cases, a conservative
Surgery to remove the appendix can be performed using a classical laparoscopic method or a more modern endoscopic method that does not require a long rehabilitation period. At the same time, antibiotics are also administered (usually intramuscularly) to avoid complications.