Originally posted on September 23, 2022 @ 3:39 pm
The appendix emerges from the colon as a small, finger-shaped pouch. When the appendix inflames and fills with pus, it develops appendicitis. Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, which is a finger-shaped pouch that comes out of your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen.
What is Appendicitis?
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Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis. It’s a medical emergency that almost always necessitates having the appendix removed as soon as possible by surgery. Fortunately, you can get by just fine without it.
Where is Your Appendix?
The large intestine on the bottom right side of your body forms a 3 1/2-inch-long tube of tissue. There is specialized tissue in the appendix that can produce antibodies, but its exact purpose is unknown.
Why Do People Get Appendicitis?
Appendicitis affects one in every twenty Americans at some point in their lives. Though it can happen at any age, appendicitis is uncommon in children under the age of two. People between the ages of 10 and 30 are most likely to be affected.
An obstruction of the appendix, frequently caused by feces, a foreign body (something within you that isn’t supposed to be there), or cancer, results in appendicitis. Infection can cause blockage as well, since it can cause the appendix to expand in reaction to any infection the body may have.
What are Signs and Symptoms Appendicitis?
Traditional signs and symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Right lower abdominal discomfort or lower-level discomfort at the navel Usually, this is the initial warning.
- appetite loss
- Soon after the onset of stomach pain, vomiting and nausea follow.
- bloated belly
- Fever ranging from 102 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit
- inability to exhale
Infrequent signs and symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Pain in the upper or lower abdomen, back, or rear end that is dull or intense in any location
- Peeing is painful or challenging.
- You will vomit before you feel any abdominal pain.
- Intense cramps
- Bloating or gas with diarrhea.
Visit a doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these signs. Treatment and diagnosis must be initiated promptly. Avoid eating, drinking, using antacids, laxatives, heating pads, or any other painkillers.
How Is Appendicitis Diagnosis Performed?
It can be difficult to diagnose appendicitis. The symptoms of many ailments, such as ovarian issues, gallbladder issues, bladder or urinary tract infections, Crohn’s disease, gastritis, kidney stones, intestinal infection, and gallstones, are sometimes muddled or similar to those of other disorders.
These tests can aid in the diagnosis of appendicitis.
- Check for inflammation in your abdomen.
- Testing your urine to make sure you don’t have a urinary tract infection
- An examination of the rectus
- Test your blood to check if your body is fighting an illness.
- PET scans
- Ultrasound
What Are the Side Effects of Appendicitis?
Almost always, appendicitis is handled as an emergency. Almost every case of appendicitis is treated with surgery called an appendectomy, which removes the appendix.
In general, if your doctor has a suspicion that you have appendicitis, they will remove it right away to prevent a rupture. If you have an abscess, you could need two procedures: one to remove the appendix and another to drain the pus and fluid from the abscess. But according to some studies, taking antibiotics to treat acute appendicitis may prevent surgery.
What to anticipate throughout an appendectomy
You will take medicines to prevent infection before having your appendix removed. Usually, you’ll receive general anesthesia, so you’ll be unconscious throughout. Through a 4-inch incision or using a laparoscope, the doctor removes your appendix (a thin telescope-like tool that lets them see inside your belly). Laparoscopy is the name of this technique. If you have peritonitis, the doctor will also clean out your abdomen and take out the pus.
Within 12 hours of operation, you can stand up and move around. In two to three weeks, you should be able to return to your regular schedule. If you underwent a laparoscopy, recovery happens more quickly.
Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following following an appendectomy:
- Vomiting without control
- Increased Abdominal Pain
- Instability or faintness
- Vomiting or urinating blood
- There is more agony and redness where the doctor cut into your tummy.
- Fever
- Infected with pus
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Consequences of Appendicitis
The abdominal cavity, which is in the middle of your body and contains your liver, stomach, and intestines, will become infected if an inflamed appendix isn’t treated in time. This may result in peritonitis, a severe inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). It may be fatal if not treated right away with potent antibiotics and surgery to remove the pus.
An abscess can occasionally develop outside of an inflamed appendix. After that, scar tissue separates the appendix from the rest of your organs. Thus, the illness is prevented from spreading. However, a torn appendix can cause peritonitis and an abscess.
Avoiding Appendicitis
Appendicitis cannot be stopped or avoided. But it might happen less often in people who eat fresh fruits and vegetables and other high-fiber foods.
I will make sure to eat a fruit a day
Always eat high fiber fruit
Eat fruit always