Appendix pain - causes, treatment and prevention

Do you know what is appendix and why it causes pain in the lower abdomen ? 

The other day i was wondering myself about the relevant information on net and after 20 minutes of time taking endeavor found an article. But unfortunately it was too technical to be understood by common man like myself. And i had to spend another 15 min to look into the medic dictionary of those technical words which were disturbing me to understand the meaning properly. And now what i am gong to do is, edit this article particularly those technical terms plus going to add relevant images so that people like me, who have little knowledge of medical terminology could utilize this article for their benefits.  

Before you star read the article, I suggest you to see the above image closely so that you get an idea of appendix tube location.

Well, Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a 3 1/2-inch-long tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine. No one is absolutely certain what the function of the appendix is. One thing we do know: We can live without it, without apparent consequences.

Consequences if left non-removed : 

An important thing you must understand that Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity's lining (the peritoneum) that can be fatal unless it is treated quickly with strong antibiotics.

Sometimes a pus-filled abscess (infection that is walled off from the rest of the body) forms outside the inflamed appendix. Scar tissue then "walls off" the appendix from the rest of the abdomen, preventing infection from spreading. An abscessed appendix is a less urgent situation, but unfortunately, it can't be identified without surgery. For this reason, all cases of appendicitis are treated as emergencies, requiring surgery.

In the U.S., one in 15 people will get appendicitis. Although it can strike at any age, appendicitis is rare under age 2 and most common between ages 10 and 30.

So what actually causes appendicitis

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, often by stool, a foreign body, or cancer. Blockage may also occur from infection, since the appendix swells in response to any infection in the body.

Now the question arises how can we prevent this disease like situation to prevail in our sensitive body ?

Symptoms of Appendicitis?

The classic symptoms of appendicitis include:

• Dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen. This is usually the first sign.
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and/or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins
• Abdominal swelling
• Fever of 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Inability to pass gas
• 
  

Almost half the time, other symptoms of appendicitis appear, including:

• Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back, or rectum
• Painful urination
• Vomiting that precedes the abdominal pain
• Severe cramps
• Constipation or diarrhea with gas

If you have any of the mentioned symptoms, seek medical attention immediately since timely diagnosis and treatment is very important. Do not eat, drink, or use any pain remedies, antacids, laxatives, or heating pads, which can cause an inflamed appendix to rupture.

How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing appendicitis can be tricky. Symptoms of appendicitis are frequently vague or extremely similar to other ailments, including gallbladder problems, bladder or urinary tract infection, Crohn's disease, gastritis, intestinal infection, and ovary problems.

The following tests are usually used to make the diagnosis.

• Abdominal exam to detect inflammation
• Urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection
• Rectal exam
• Blood test to see if your body is fighting infection
• CT scans and/or ultrasound

How Is Appendicitis Treated?

Surgery to remove the appendix, which is called an appendectomy, is the standard treatment for appendicitis.

If appendicitis is even suspected, doctors tend to err on the side of safety and quickly remove the appendix to avoid its rupture. If the appendix has formed an abscess, you may have two procedures: one to drain the abscess of pus and fluid, and a later one to remove the appendix.

Appendectomy: What to Expect

Antibiotics are given before an appendectomy to fight possible peritonitis. General anesthesia is usually given, and the appendix is removed through a 4-inch incision or by laparoscopy. If you have peritonitis, the abdomen is also irrigated and drained of pus.

Within 12 hours of surgery you may get up and move around. You can usually return to normal activities in two to three weeks. If surgery is done with a laparoscope (a thin telescope-like instrument for viewing inside the abdomen), the incision is smaller and recovery is faster.

After an appendectomy, call your doctor if you have:

• Uncontrolled vomiting
• Increased pain in your abdomen
• Dizziness/feelings of faintness
• Blood in your vomit or urine
• Increased pain and redness in your incision
• Fever
• Pus in the wound

Can Appendicitis Be Prevented?

There is no way to prevent appendicitis. However, appendicitis is less common in people who eat foods high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

EB