Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix appendix. It occurs due to blockage of the canal with fecal stones or other solid particles, after which the appendix is filled with mucus, inflamed and greatly increases in size.
Because of this, a person feels pain, which can be of different strengths and is diagnosed for a variety of signs or symptoms.
One thing is constant regardless of the age and form of appendicitis: the operation consists in removing the process. It is mistakenly thought that children are less susceptible to this disease, but this is not so.
The child is more inclined to inflammation of the appendix than an adult, however, the disease proceeds in a slightly different form. The most important thing in this case is to have time in advance to turn to the physician, not allowing one of the most dangerous forms leading to rupture of the appendix, gangrene or peritonitis.
The very first signs of appendicitis in children
The first thing that should make parents wary is abdominal pain. In the initial stages, the soreness is usually not very pronounced, and therefore, many people miss the moment. With the development of appendicitis, the pain becomes sharper, older children can characterize it as cutting.
Typically, the lesion will be located near the navel closer to the right side. During palpation, the pain increases, or a reverse symptom may occur - pain occurs when hands are taken away from the abdomen.
Rezi increase and breathing, laughing, coughing, squatting and sudden movements. When you feel the baby's abdomen, you can find a small seal to the right of the navel.
Other signs indicating the development of appendicitis are: poor appetite, frequent urination in babies, nausea and vomiting. The temperature may suddenly rise, but this is not a frequent occurrence. There may be problems with the stool, such as diarrhea. In the final stages, children become lethargic, move a little.
Signs of appendicitis in children of different ages
Among babies up to 3 years old, appendicitis is quite rare. You can notice the development of the disease, watching the child. Those children who have learned to speak can complain of pain in the entire stomach without specifics.
The rest will show the same signs: lack of appetite, general lethargy, displacement of the center of gravity on the left side when walking, playing, sitting. Comfortable position in which it does not hurt, the kids also try to take during sleep, shifting to the left side. Nausea and diarrhea may occur.
At the age of 3-4 to 5-6 years old, when the child is already attending kindergarten, the risk of the onset of the disease increases. Children at this age are already able to show exactly where the stomach hurts and answer questions when feeling it.
Refusal to eat and drink plenty of fluids will be a sure sign of increasing illness. The skin becomes grayish, there are problems with the chair. Nausea and fever may occur.
Children aged 7-8 and up to 9-11 years experience the same symptoms of the disease as adults. The child may at first not notice the pain in the abdomen, as in the initial stages they are not pronounced and dull.
With the development of the disease, the pain increases, it becomes aching and cutting. If the pain develops and begins to give to the right side of the abdomen, it is most likely appendicitis. All other signs are preserved.
In adolescence (12, 13, 14 years and older) the disease manifests itself in a similar way, however, its course is significantly accelerated. In the event of a dull, aching pain in the abdomen in the morning, by the evening an attack of appendicitis may occur, requiring urgent surgical intervention.
What to do if you suspect appendicitis in a child
If, after the first complaint of the child to the pain in the abdomen, some of the described symptoms of the disease begin to appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. It depends on the speed of response more than it seems, because at some stages of appendicitis, such as purulent peritonitis, its rupture occurs and the contents enter the abdominal cavity, which can lead to sepsis and other consequences.
Therefore, if you suspect appendicitis, you must immediately call a doctor, but until he arrives, to alleviate the baby’s condition:
- In no case can not be heated belly hot water bottle to reduce pain, as this will only accelerate the inflammatory process. Instead, the child is placed on the left side, or on the back, and something cold is applied for anesthesia.
- To speed up the hospitalization, before the arrival of the doctor, measure the temperature, pressure and pulse, if there is a tonometer.
- In order to avoid dehydration, the child should be watered abundantly before the arrival of the doctors.
- It is not recommended to give anesthetic, as this can accelerate the course of the disease, however, with strong complaints, you can give the minimum amount that is written in the instructions.
Many parents are afraid of surgery for the baby, so they delay the call of the doctor, ignoring the obvious signs of a developing illness. It should be understood that by doing so, they put the child in great danger. There is nothing wrong with removing an appendix, since the operation itself is performed in just 20 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia.
Currently, the removal of the appendix is performed in two ways: traditional and laparoscopic. At the first an incision is made on the right, after which the appendix is cut out. Rehabilitation after traditional intracavitary surgery takes about a week.
The second is held thin blades without opening the abdominal cavity. Most often, this method is applicable in the early stages of the disease and has no negative consequences, and recovery after it occurs a little faster.
What can cause the development of appendicitis in children?
An inflammation of the appendix is always bacterial. In addition to the presence of bacteria, the obstruction of the lumen of the cecum, which occurs due to the accumulation of solid objects in the appendix, is also mandatory. These two factors lead to appendicitis. Among the possible options are:
- the occurrence of inflammation on the background of reduced immunity, which contributes to the development of an intestinal infection or the penetration of bacteria into the appendix;
- swallowing small, hard objects like berries, seeds, fish bones, and parasites that can also block the lumen;
- hit in the intestines fecal stones due to irregular stools and frequent constipation.
To avoid the occurrence of appendicitis in a child, it is necessary to observe the daily regimen and nutrition, to treat all colds, so that the body does not weaken against their background.
Avoid eating unwashed fruits, berries, and vegetables, as this can lead to infection and infection by parasites.
Explain to the child that you can not swallow solid seeds from fruits and sunflower seeds, along with the husk. It is also very important to get rid of constipation in a timely manner, and then it is necessary to revise the diet of the child.
More on appendicitis symptoms - more info in the next video.
