Appendicitis is a health condition that involves inflammation of the appendix. It can affect anyone of any age, although it is most common in children and young adults under the age of 30.
Although no one knows for sure exactly why appendicitis affects some people and not others, several things may be involved in causing the condition. For example, food moving through your intestine could become lodged in the appendix and block the organ, causing inflammation and infection in the area.
What is the Appendix?
The appendix is a thin worm-shaped tube or pouch and connected to a part of the large intestine, called the caecum. It is about the size of a finger (approximately 9 cm long) and sits on the right side of your abdomen.
We don’t currently know the exact function of the appendix. In ancestral health, the appendix is believed to have helped to digest cellulose in the diet, although this is not necessary for modern humans.
Symptoms of Appendicitis
The characteristic symptom of appendicitis is pain in the lower right region of the abdomen. The pain typically begins close near the navel (close to your belly button) and may initially come and go. With time the pain usually becomes more severe and constant as the inflammation of the appendix increases. The pain can make ordinary activities, such as walking, difficult to do.
If you are affected by appendicitis, you may also experience other symptoms such as fever, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.
For parents with young children, it can be difficult to understand what is wrong or where they feel pain. In many cases, parents know that their child is sick but are unable to pinpoint that the child is in pain or why, which can make it difficult to diagnose. If you are unsure, it is best to speak to your doctor or pharmacist to find out what is causing the symptoms in your child.
Why are we worried about appendicitis?
It is important that acute appendicitis is treated as quickly as possible. This is because the pus can build up and there can be serious effects if the appendix bursts, known as a perforated appendix.
If the appendix is infected with bacteria when it bursts, the infection can spread throughout the abdominal cavity can lead to a condition called peritonitis. This can be life-threatening and requires emergency treatment.
How is Appendicitis Diagnosed?
The common symptoms of appendicitis, such as abdominal pain, are very similar to those of other health conditions like gastroenteritis, ectopic pregnancy and some infections, which can make diagnosing the condition difficult.
If you are experiencing abdominal pain and think that you might be suffering from appendicitis, it is important for you to see a medical professional who can work out the cause of the pain.
There are many different tests that your doctor may use to diagnose appendicitis. They will usually begin with a physical examination and ask about the history of the symptoms, such as when you first noticed the pain, how severe it is and exactly where it is. You may also need other tests to confirm the diagnosis such as blood tests, urine test, ultrasound or CT scans.
Sometimes you will need to start treatment before the diagnosis is confirmed because appendicitis can be life-threatening if it is not treated quickly enough.
Treatment for Appendicitis
The most common treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix, known as an appendectomy. This is possible because the appendix is not essential for the healthy functions of the body and you can continue to live normally without the organ.
The appendix is usually removed with a type of surgery called laparoscopic, which involves the insertion of a thin instrument into tiny incisions in your abdomen so that a larger abdominal incision is not needed. However, some people need to have a larger cut in their abdomen to remove the appendix.
If you have been advised that you will need to have an appendectomy, you can expect to stay in the hospital for three to five days after the procedure. This is to allow your body to recover under the watchful care of your medical team.
Antibiotics can also sometimes be recommended to treat appendicitis, without the need for surgery. However, this is usually best for patients who are elderly or have other health conditions that make surgery difficult because surgery is more effective. Many people who have their appendix removed are also prescribed antibiotics after the surgery to help prevent infection.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to know more about appendicitis, how you can recognise the signs and what to do if you think you may have it, we’ll be happy to help you at Inverell Pharmacy. Simply stop by for a chat (next to Telstra) with one of our pharmacists for more information, or give us a call on 02 6722 3146.
Inverell Pharmacy – your locally owned and operated pharmacy with 5 Pharmacists to Assist and Advise you and your family.