What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a thin pouch attached to the large intestine on the right side of the abdomen. It is usually about the size of a finger. TX Hospitals is one of the best hospitals for the treatment of Appendicitis.
If you have appendicitis, the appendix can become swollen and infected. This can cause it to burst. If this happens, the infection is likely to spread throughout the abdomen, causing serious problems such as peritonitis (infection inside the abdomen) or an abscess around the appendix.
What are the warning signs/symptoms of appendicitis?
Pain is the most common symptom of appendicitis. It often starts near the navel, or belly button, and might come and go for a while. It then usually moves low down to the right in the abdomen (tummy) and becomes more severe and more constant. It usually hurts to walk or cough.
Other common signs and symptoms of appendicitis are:
- fever (high temperature)
- an abdothathich is tender to touch, especially low on the right
- nausea (feeling like throwing up)
- loss of appetite (not feeling like eating)
- vomiting, although usually only once the diarrhea
- diarrhea or constipation
Young children can find it hard to say where the pain is, and all you may know is that they are sick. If it is appendicitis, usually the pain will only be in the right side of the stomach. Unlike gastro, vomiting or diarrhea are usually mild with appendicitis.
What causes appendicitis?
Appendicitis can be caused by an infection or a blockage in the appendix. Why this happens is not known, but it may be caused by food or feces (poo) getting lodged in the appendix. The appendix becomes blocked, then inflamed, then infected. Appendicitis can occur at any age but is most common in children and young adults.
How is appendicitis diagnosed?
The main way a doctor diagnoses appendicitis is by talking about what has happened, and examining the person with the pain.
It can be hard to diagnose appendicitis, especially in a young child. Even in adults, it can be hard to tell the difference between appendicitis and conditions like ectopic pregnancies, bowel infections, and bowel obstructions. The doctor may need to examine the person with the pain a number of times.
The doctor may also do scans (ultrasound or CT scan) and blood tests to help make the diagnosis. These can help, but don’t give a definite answer. Sometimes the doctor may recommend an operation to check the appendix even if they are not certain it is inflamed.
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