Let's get clued up on: appendicitis

Let's get clued up on: appendicitis

 

The appendix is a small, tube-shaped organ in your belly. It is on the lower right side of your body and connected to your large intestine. The large intestine is the part of your body that helps you digest food and get rid of waste.

Interestingly, it’s always been thought that the appendix isn’t really a vital organ in our body, but researchers from Duke University Medical Centre have found that the appendix makes and keeps good bacteria in our stomach.

Good bacteria help us digest food. Sometimes, when we get sick with diseases like dysentery or cholera, we lose these good bacteria. This makes our stomach upset. The appendix helps by releasing the good bacteria it has stored. These good bacteria help our stomach feel better.

 

Understanding appendicitis

Appendicitis starts when the appendix becomes blocked. This can be caused by:

  • Hard pieces of stool
  • Enlarged lymph nodes (part of your immune system)
  • Infections
  • Swelling. The blockage makes the appendix swell up and fill with pus. Pus is a thick liquid made of bacteria and white blood cells.

As the appendix swells, it causes pain. The pain usually starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right side of the belly. You might also feel sick, lose your appetite, have a fever, and sometimes feel like throwing up (nausea) or actually throwing up (vomit).

 

Is appendicitis dangerous?

Yes, appendicitis can be dangerous. Here’s why:

If the swollen appendix bursts, it releases infected material into your belly. This can cause a serious infection called peritonitis. This infection affects the lining of your belly and can be life-threatening. You need immediate medical treatment.

Sometimes, instead of bursting, the appendix forms a pocket of pus called an abscess. This is also dangerous and needs treatment.

 

Don’t ignore these signs!

Sometimes, people miss the signs and symptoms of appendicitis because they can be similar to other conditions.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms that people might overlook:

  • Early pain might be mild and around the belly button, making it easy to ignore.
  • Not feeling hungry can be mistaken for a common stomach upset.
  • You may brush off nausea and vomiting as a stomach bug or food poisoning.
  • Feeling bloated can be confused with indigestion or gas.
  • Constipation or diarrhoea are often mistaken as symptoms of less serious digestive issues.
  • A slight fever might be dismissed as a minor illness.
  • Intermittent pain might not seem serious at first.

If you have a combination of these symptoms, especially with pain that moves to the lower right side of your belly, it's important to see a doctor.

 

Treating appendicitis

The most common treatment is to remove the appendix. This can be done in two ways:

Open surgery: A single large cut is made on the lower right side of your belly to remove the appendix.

Laparoscopic surgery: The surgeon makes small cuts and uses a tiny camera and tools to remove the appendix. This method usually has a quicker recovery time.

 

Before surgery, doctors may give you antibiotics to treat any infection. Sometimes, if the appendicitis is caught very early, antibiotics may be okay, but surgery is still the most common and effective treatment.

You might stay in the hospital for a few days, especially if the appendix has burst. You need to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. Follow your doctor’s advice on caring for your wounds and managing pain.


Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.