What you should know about Appendicitis

 

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is simply an inflammation of the appendix. It is common among the teenagers and young adult. It is as a result of appendix obstruction. It is more seen in male than in female.

What is Appendix?

Appendix is a small finger-like projection on the right side of the abdomen. It is connected the colon. The role of appendix is still unclear. Some studies indicate it may contain friendly body bacteria that aid digestion and fight against infections.

What are the Causes of Appendicitis?

As I have said earlier, it is caused by obstruction of the appendix which may be partial or complete. Fecal accumulation can also cause the obstruction. In most cases of appendicitis, the cause is unknown. However, health expert have related the cause of appendicitis to food in that obstruction can be in the form of food waste especially when it is hard; it get trapped along the cavity leading to the appendix.

Infections from the stomach may be transported down to the appendix and cause inflammation leading to appendicitis.

What are the Symptoms of Appendicitis?

Abdominal pain normally accompanies appendicitis. You feel pain around the bellybutton and lower right side of the abdomen. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, coughing, constipation, fever, swelling abdomen, loss of appetite and inability to pass gas.

Sometimes, you may have difficulty in urination. Pain associated with appendicitis usually start with mild cramping and later becomes steady and severe with time. Your rate of defecating may change.

Appendicitis Diagnosis

A physical examination may first be done by your doctor. He or she will check for tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. You feel higher pain in case it is pregnancy and if it is perforation, it is hard and swollen. Appendicitis can be present in pregnant women. The pregnancy will move the appendix up and thus pain is felt in the tummy or under the rib.

Appendicitis is quite difficult to diagnose because it present with similar symptoms as in pelvic inflammatory disease, kidney stone, colitis which is the inflammation of the large intestine, cystitis, Crohn’s disease and cholecytitis.

You might be asked to do different test like urinalysis, pregnancy test and pelvic examination. You might also be asked to go for CT scanning, X-ray, or ultrasound. Urinalysis will help check for urinary tract infection. Pelvic examination will check for reproductive problem in women. Chest X-ray will help check for pneumonia of the right lower lobe.

What is the Treatment of Appendicitis?

      Once appendicitis is detected, treatment should be given immediately before the appendix will burst or rupture. Once the appendix burst, it leads a medical emergency. Most of the times, surgery is done in treating appendicitis in which the appendix is removed. Sometimes, appendicitis does not require surgery; it might just need some treatment with antibiotics and some liquid diet.

     In case of presence of abscess, the abscess is first drained and then treated with antibiotics. Surgery will then be done to remove the appendix. In case of ruptured appendix or abscess, the appendix is removed immediately in the surgical process called appendectomy.

      Laparoscopic surgery can be done. This involves the use of laparoscope (a tiny tube which has a video camera and light) that is inserted into the abdomen using cannula. The surgeon can see the abdomen from inside and then control the movement of the laparoscope; and then the appendix is removed. It requires small abdominal incision and this reduce blood loss, scarring and thus a faster recovery. Although, laparoscopic surgery is a bit costly compare to other methods. A bigger incision may be made in case of ruptured appendix.

      Fresh fruit juice is recommended for patients after the surgery until they have complete healing. They can also be taking applesauce and gelatin.

     How can I Prevent Appendicitis?

      The risk of having appendicitis can be lowered by consuming food high in fiber. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetable. Take food and fruits high in vitamin B, C and E. These vitamins help to keep the body free from toxins. Drinking enough water helps to handle appendicitis effectively. A lot of people don’t really know the appendicitis food to avoid. Some of the food that increases your chances of having appendicitis includes:

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•   Gaseous food like beans, broccoli and some nuts
• Some fruit seeds like pumpkin seed and sunflower seed. In case you need to take it, peel it before eating it.
•   Fried foods, fatty meat and animal based foods. Avoid tough meat
•   Beverages like coffee and tea
•  Canned food
•  Food spices and condiments
•  Alcohol
• Sugary food

What are the Complications of Appendicitis?

Peritonitis is the major complication of appendicitis. Peritonitis occurs when there is rupture of the appendix; infection is released into the abdomen and there is inflammation of the peritoneum (a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity).

Also in case of abscess seeping out of the appendix to the abdominal cavity, peritonitis may also occur.