Chronic appendicitis involves long-term swelling of the appendix, with symptoms similar to acute appendicitis but less severe. Antibiotics may help, but surgery is often needed to prevent recurrence. Diagnosis requires tests, including imaging and blood/urine tests. Laparoscopic surgery is often used for removal.
Chronic appendicitis is a rare condition involving long-term swelling of the appendix, which is a small piece of tissue in the lower part of the large intestine. Acute appendicitis usually produces severe symptoms, and immediate surgery is usually needed to remove the appendix. The chronic form of the disease may not require surgery, although some doctors choose to remove the appendix if they have chronic appendicitis because the appendix is not needed for any major bodily functions. Appendicitis can cause the appendix to swell and burst, which discharges fluid into the abdomen that can lead to a serious infection.
Chronic appendicitis symptoms are very similar to acute appendicitis symptoms, but they typically last longer and aren’t as severe. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom and usually begins around the belly button area and radiates to the right side of the abdomen. The pain is often worse when you lift heavy objects or make sudden movements. Tenderness to the touch is another common symptom, and chronic appendicitis patients may also experience minor nausea and abdominal bloating.
The symptoms of appendicitis are the same as for other abdominal problems and ailments, so doctors often have to run several tests to diagnose the condition. If acute, severe appendicitis is ruled out and a doctor usually does a manual examination of the abdomen to check for swelling and tenderness near the appendix. In some cases, imaging studies, such as ultrasound, are needed to detect inflammation. Blood and urine tests may be ordered to detect underlying infections that may be responsible for the chronic inflammation of the appendix.
In some cases, chronic appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics that relieve swelling and infection. Many patients diagnosed with the condition may need antibiotics on a regular basis, but the swelling often comes back. Patients who are otherwise healthy and able to undergo surgery without major risks, such as allergic reactions to anesthesia or abnormally heavy bleeding, may have their appendages removed to prevent a recurrence of the condition.
During an appendectomy, a surgeon makes a long incision in the abdomen or several small incisions to enter the abdomen with a laparoscope, a small instrument with a light and camera on the end. Laparoscopic surgery allows the patient to heal more quickly and is often indicated for patients with chronic appendicitis because the appendix has not ruptured. Once the appendix is removed, the patient should rest for several days and avoid strenuous activities that could cause the incision to rupture.
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