Appendicitis

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What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is a medical condition in which there is an inflammation of the Appendix. The Appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that projects from the colon on the right side of our abdomen.

Patients with appendicitis experience pain in lower abdomen. The pain generally begins around the navel and progresses. The pain becomes intense as the inflammation worsens.

Appendicitis generally occurs in the age group 10-30, but can happen at other ages also.

Types of Appendicitis

The two common types of Appendicitis are:

  • Acute Appendicitis – Acute Appendicitis appears suddenly and can be severe in nature. Acute appendicitis requires instant/ immediate medical attention and is actually more common than chronic appendicitis

 

  • Chronic Appendicitis – In Chronic Appendicitis, the symptoms are mild and progressive in nature and may come and go from time to time. This type of appendicitis can be hard to diagnose and may only be detected if it turns into acute appendicitis.

Possible complications of untreated Appendicitis

An untreated appendicitis is much more dangerous as it can burst and cause a nasty bacterial spill in your gut and larger intestine which is actually quite dangerous.

But hopefully, you don’t have to wait around waiting for your appendix to rupture, especially if you know everything about the common appendicitis symptoms and most importantly the cause.

Causes of Appendicitis

Although we are yet to determine the exact cause of appendicitis, here’s what doctors and medical practitioners have narrowed down the most probable causes leading to this condition.

Appendicitis primarily develops when a part of the appendix gets blocked or obstructed by any object inside the body. The object can be anything from-

● Intestinal worms
● Hardened stool
● Physical trauma
● Certain foreign body
Cancer (Rare but possible)

Symptoms of Appendicitis

The most common appendicitis symptoms would include:

  • Pain in the navel region (above or below)
  • Pain in the lower right abdominal area
  • Recurring indigestion
  • Nausea (maybe accompanied by vomiting)
  • Appetite loss
  • Diarrhea / constipation
  • Bloating or abdominal swelling
  • Mild fever

 

Appendicitis pain starts off mild much like cramps but would eventually grow more and more intense with time. Also, the initial source of the pain keeps changing with time moving from the upper abdomen to the lower right section of your abdomen.

Diagnosis of Appendicitis

Following are some of the diagnostic tests for Appendicitis.

  • CT scan / MRI / X-Ray
  • Ultrasound
  • Complete Blood Count or CBC Test
  • Urine test (to determine presence of infection)
  • Rectal test
  • Physical exams (to access pain, inflammation, discomfort level)

Appendicitis Treatment

Based on your age, severity, and other variables; you doctor may suggest some non-invasive treatment methods such as- antibiotics, pain relievers, liquid diet etc.

However, in most of the appendicitis cases, a surgery is the best option for a complete cure and the surgery most commonly practiced for it is known as Appendectomy. This standard form of treatment eliminates not just the inflamed organ but probable safety hazard risks such as appendix rupture too.

Appendicitis Surgery

The two primary invasive treatment methods thus include:

Appendectomy

Appendectomy is an open surgery where a small incision is made to surgically remove the inflamed appendix. However, laparoscopic surgery options are becoming more and more common these days where small surgical tools are inserted along with a minute video camera to surgically remove the appendix. The recovery time for this procedure is usually fast with almost 90% success rate.

Abscess Drainage

If a ruptured appendix develops pus pockets called abscess in the gut, doctors may use surgical needles or tubes to drain out the pus pocket to avoid further complications.

Appendicitis Surgery- things you need to remember

  • If your medical practitioner recommends surgical intervention, please disclose your full medical history (along with existing or current medication routine) before the surgery.
  • Your doctor may request you to follow a certain diet which may include liquids, no alcohol, and no tobacco! Please follow the routine strictly as it can increase the success rate of your surgery.
  • You can be back on your feet within 12 hrs of this surgery (provided there are no additional complications)
  • If you experience symptoms like nausea, intense stomach /abdominal pain, high fever, bloody vomit, wound infection from the surgery- please contact your doctor immediately

Appendicitis post recovery care

For the next few weeks after your appendicitis surgery, here are some of the basic lifestyle steps you should take to ensure a speedy recovery:

  • Don’t live a sedentary lifestyle but don’t go overboard with your activities. Start slow and slowly increase
  • Provide support to your abdomen if you’re coughing. You can press a pillow over the abdomen and apply mild compression for support before you cough.
  • Your doctor may prescribe some low dose pain medication to you. If your pain relievers fail to alleviate pain, please contact your doctor.
  • Discuss going back to work or normal lifestyle and the type of help or assistance you would need with your healthcare professional.

Possible complications

Following are the possible complications of an untreated appendicitis:

  • Internal Rupture – In case of prolonged ignorance or deliberate ignorance; as mentioned before, a rupture in the appendix can turn this condition from mild/serious to life-threatening!

 

  • Abscess – Appendix bursts or ruptures can also lead to formation of a pus pocket inside the organ, commonly known as an Abscess. Surgeons have to manually drain the abscess in this case and a tube is left inside for about two weeks while you’re prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Following are the commonly recommended activities & food to avoid having a Appendicitis:

  • Include well-cooked vegetables and fresh fruits in your diet
  • Legumes and greens are great to keep indigestion and stool complications at bay
  • Whole grains are also good for your everyday diet
  • Don’t go overboard with anything. Everything appropriately measured and consumed can keep complications like this at bay.
  • Sedentary lifestyle is a strict No-No.

FAQs

1. Can appendicitis risk depend on your age?

Yes! Appendicitis risks may vary based on age, sex (men are more likely to get affected than females), and dietary choices based on age groups.

2. How long do I have to wait before I can go back to my normal life?

Even though a no-complication surgery will have you back on the feet within 12hrs, complete recovery and going back to normal lifestyle may take up to 2-3 weeks

3. Do I have to stay overnight in the hospital after appendicitis?

You may, according to your doctor’s recommendation, you may have to spend 2-3 nights in the hospital for observation or monitoring purposes.

4. Do appendicitis run in the family?

Even though we are not sure if its hereditary-based or not, studies have shown, people with a family history of appendicitis are much prone to this condition.

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