Appendicitis: Symptoms and treatment

The appendix is a small, useless sac that extends from the large bowel. Our bodies have no use for the appendix and can live without it. The digestive fluids circulate through the appendix and cleanse it of any bacteria. However, if the opening becomes plugged, the bacteria can build up and cause a serious infection known as appendicitis.

The opening becomes plugged with objects passing through the intestines, such as seed, bones and clumps of hair. More commonly though, the appendix becomes blocked by it's own twisting or by small, hard bits of bowel material.

The real danger lies in the appendix bursting. If the appendix bursts, infection is spread to other vital organs and can cause serious problems. Usually pain in the appendix builds up for 12 hours or more before it bursts. People who have a very high pain tolerance, might not notice the pain at first.

Appendicitis is not common in very young children. However, since small children cannot describe their pain well, their appendicitis is quite serious by the time it is diagnosed.

Home treatment of appendicitis:

Observation:

Watch for and record signs of abdominal pain preceded by a period of nausea and loss of appetite. Although at first the pain may be very general, it will usually move to the right lower quadrant as it increases.

Watch for vomiting and/or increasing nausea.

Be aware of body temperature. Especially a low grade fever of 100-101.

Notive a change in bowel movements. Diarrhea is rarely seen with appendicitis and is usually a sign that the pain is from something else. Normal bowel movements are very common in appendicitis.

Keep the patient quiet and in a comfortable position.

Try to rule out or identify other sources of abdominal pain, such as gastroenteritis or food poisoning.

Do not give laxatives to a person suspected of having appendicitis, this can stimulate the intestine and cause the appendix to rupture sooner.

Do not give strong medications. They may make the pain harder to pinpoint.

Do not apply heat to the area of pain until you can get a positive diagnosis of appendicitis. Heat can help alleviate pain, causing a possible delay in diagnosis and treatment.

When should you call your doctor?

If you have any of the symptoms of appendicitis, such as increasing pain in the lower right quadrant and a low grade fever of 100-101 (oral).

If you have a sudden, sharp severe pain in the lower right quadrant of your abdomin, you should get to the nearest emergency room right away.

This may be the sign of a burst appendix. A burst appendix is a medical emergency. A burst appendix causes infection to travel into the abdominal cavity causing the lining of the abdomin to become infected. This is a medical emergency requiring heavy doses of antibiotics.

If you are having symptoms of appendicitis and cannot rule out any other reason for the symptoms, you should make an appointment right away. If the pain is severe and excruciating, go to the nearest emergency room right away. A burst appendix is a medical emergency and needs to be treated right away. Treatment for a burst appendix is removal of the appendix.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-appendicitis

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/appendicitis/DS00274