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Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by a blockage in the appendix that leads to infection. Symptoms include pain in the lower right abdomen that worsens with movement. Diagnosis involves physical exam, blood tests, and scans. Standard treatment is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix (appendectomy), which is usually performed laparoscopically. Complications can occur if the appendix ruptures, requiring additional treatment and a longer recovery.

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Prince Jhessie L. Abella
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131 views3 pages

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is caused by a blockage in the appendix that leads to infection. Symptoms include pain in the lower right abdomen that worsens with movement. Diagnosis involves physical exam, blood tests, and scans. Standard treatment is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix (appendectomy), which is usually performed laparoscopically. Complications can occur if the appendix ruptures, requiring additional treatment and a longer recovery.

Uploaded by

Prince Jhessie L. Abella
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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APPENDICITIS

Definition:
The appendix is a small, worm-like
appendage attached to the colon.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix
becomes blocked, and bacteria invade and
infect the wall and lumen of the appendix.

 Constipation or diarrhea
 Abdominal bloating
The site of your pain may vary,
depending on your age and the position of
your appendix. When you're pregnant, the
pain may seem to come from your upper
abdomen because your appendix is higher
Appendicitis causes pain in your during pregnancy.
lower right abdomen. However, in most
people, pain begins around the navel and Causes
then moves. As inflammation worsens, A blockage in the lining of the
appendicitis pain typically increases and appendix that results in infection is the
eventually becomes severe. likely cause of appendicitis. The bacteria
Although anyone can develop multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to
appendicitis, most often it occurs in people become inflamed, swollen and filled with
between the ages of 10 and 30. Standard pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix
treatment is surgical removal of the appendix.
can rupture.
What Are the Symptoms of
How Is Appendicitis Diagnosed?
Appendicitis?
Diagnosing appendicitis can be
Signs and symptoms of
tricky. Symptoms of appendicitis are
appendicitis may include:
frequently vague or extremely similar to
 Sudden pain that begins on the
other ailments, including gallbladder
right side of the lower abdomen
problems, bladder or urinary tract
 Sudden pain that begins around
infection, Crohn's disease, gastritis,
your navel and often shifts to your
intestinal infection, and ovary problems.
lower right abdomen
The following tests are usually used
 Pain that worsens if you cough, to make the diagnosis:
walk or make other jarring Abdominal exam to detect inflammation
movements  Urine test to rule out a urinary tract
 Nausea and vomiting infection
 Loss of appetite  Pregnancy tests can rule out a
 Low-grade fever that may worsen suspected ectopic pregnancy.
as the illness progresses
 Rectal exam Appendicitis treatment usually
 Blood test to see if your body is involves surgery to remove the inflamed
fighting infection appendix. Before surgery you may be
 CT scans and/or ultrasound given a dose of antibiotics to prevent
infection.

Complications APPENDECTOMY
Appendectomy can be performed
Appendicitis can cause serious as open surgery using one abdominal
complications, such as: incision about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10
A ruptured appendix. A rupture centimeters) long (laparotomy). Or the
spreads infection throughout your surgery can be done through a few small
abdomen (peritonitis). Possibly life- abdominal incisions (laparoscopic
threatening, this condition requires surgery). During a laparoscopic
immediate surgery to remove the appendectomy, the surgeon inserts
appendix and clean your abdominal special surgical tools and a video camera
cavity.
A pocket of pus that forms in the
abdomen. If your appendix bursts, you

into your abdomen to remove your


appendix.
In general, laparoscopic surgery
may develop a pocket of infection allows you to recover faster and heal with
(abscess). In most cases, a surgeon drains less pain and scarring. It may be better for
the abscess by placing a tube through people who are elderly or obese. But
laparoscopic surgery isn't appropriate for
your abdominal wall into the abscess. The
everyone. If your appendix has ruptured and
tube is left in place for two weeks, and
infection has spread beyond the appendix or
you're given antibiotics to clear the you have an abscess, you may need an open
infection. appendectomy, which allows your surgeon to
Once the infection is clear, you'll have clean the abdominal cavity.
surgery to remove the appendix. In some Expect to spend one or two days in
cases, the abscess is drained, and the the hospital after your appendectomy.
appendix is removed immediately.
Lifestyle And Home Remedies
What are the treatment options for
appendicitis?
Expect a few weeks of recovery You can’t prevent appendicitis, but
from an appendectomy, or longer if your there are steps you can take to lower your
appendix burst. To help your body heal: risk. It’s less common in people who have
 Avoid strenuous activity at first. If diets high in fiber. Eating a healthy diet
your appendectomy was done that contains lots of fresh fruits and
laparoscopically, limit your activity vegetables increases your fiber intake.
for three to five days. If you had an Seek medical attention
open appendectomy, limit your immediately if you think you have
activity for 10 to 14 days. appendicitis. Untreated appendicitis can
 Always ask your doctor about become a medical emergency.
limitations on your activity and
when you can resume normal Our KNH specialist can provide
activities following surgery. you with more detailed information
 Support your abdomen when you regarding Appendicitis. Consult our
cough. Place a pillow over your Surgical Doctors;
abdomen and apply pressure
before you cough, laugh or move to Dr. Ayman Bashouni
help reduce pain. Dr. Amr Alatawy
 Call your doctor if your pain
medications aren't helping. Being References:
in pain puts extra stress on your
body and slows the healing  http://www.webmd.com/digestive-
process. If you're still in pain disorders/digestive-diseases-
despite your pain medications, call appendicitis#2
your doctor.  http://www.medicinenet.com/appe
 Get up and move when you're ndicitis/page7.htm
ready. Start slowly and increase  http://www.healthline.com/health
your activity as you feel up to it. /appendicitis#Prevention6
Start with short walks.  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseas
 Sleep when tired. As your body es-
heals, you may find you feel conditions/appendicitis/basics/alte
sleepier than usual. Take it easy rnative-medicine/con-20023582
and rest when you need to.  http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ap
 Discuss returning to work or pendicitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx
school with your doctor. You can
return to work when you feel up to
it. Children may be able to return
to school less than a week after
surgery. They should wait two to
four weeks to resume strenuous
activity, such as gym classes or
sports.

How Can I Prevent Appendicitis?

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