Characterized as a mild illness, chronic appendicitis is infrequent in its occurrence. At times it even goes undetected owing to its subtle symptoms. And so, timely diagnosis can be really tough.
Appendicitis can be categorized as chronic or acute depending on its magnitude and growth rate. The more commonly occurring type is the acute appendicitis; it develops at a faster pace and exhibits symptoms that are more pronounced. Contrarily, not only is chronic appendicitis rare, but also slower in progression and has less intense, even insignificant symptoms.
No specification can be attributed to the nature of appendicitis symptoms in general. Acute appendicitis cannot be detected easily and the detection of the chronic variant depends solely on the patients' account of symptoms, rendering it nearly unfeasible. To give an example, patients of acute appendicitis undergo abdominal pain, high fever and nausea; while chronic appendicitis patients may merely feel exhausted and generally unwell. Endoscopy, abdominal tomography and blood analysis can be considered as the most reliable methods of detection.
Broadly, appendicitis can be defined as an internal bacterial infection coupled with a hindrance to the vermiform appendix. A pipe-like elongation of the large intestine, the appendix supposedly plays a key part in the digestive process. Obstructed by calculus and feces or pressurized by lymph nodes (which in turn swell and squeeze the appendix, owing to bacterial infection), the appendix normally expands and fails to receive adequate blood.
The growth of internal bacteria ultimately becomes fatal for the appendix. While, a complete blockage and rapid decline of the appendix are characteristic of acute appendicitis, a partial obstruction of the appendix and milder bacterial infection are features of the chronic appendicitis. Chronic appendicitis has symptoms that are more subtle and recurring in nature. The final detection of chronic appendicitis may span over months and the illness is slow in its development.
In spite of its slow progression, chronic appendicitis is attributed a grave nature. Since its diagnosis is time consuming, the level of infection in the internal organs may also be more widespread. Moreover the infection may develop unnoticed since pain, nausea and fever are not the symptoms of chronic appendicitis. Hence be it acute or chronic, appendicitis in any form can be acutely problematic.
Elaborate physical examinations and laboratory tests are strongly recommended for people susceptible to either acute or chronic appendicitis. Both types of appendicitis are acknowledged as fatal and in many an instance the illness can be detected only after special steps have been undertaken.
It is a complicated task detecting the presence of chronic appendicitis, owing to its elusive symptoms. But unlike acute appendicitis, its treatment doesn't always necessitate surgery. Detected on time, antibiotics can help counter chronic appendicitis. But a constant treatment is necessary for this type of appendicitis due to its relapsing nature.
