What is Appendix

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What is the meaning of Appendix?

An appendix is a small finger-shaped pouch or tube, approximately four inches long, that is present at the junction of the small intestine and large intestine. It is normally present in the lower right side of the stomach. The function of the appendix is not known. However, if the appendix gets infected or inflamed leading to a condition known as appendicitis, you will need immediate treatment.

Appendicitis may lead to pain off and on. It may also burst open or rupture leading to severe, sudden pain. A ruptured appendix can lead to the spread of bacteria through the abdominal (stomach region) cavity. The bacteria can sometimes cause a fatal infection, known as peritonitis.

In this article, we will be discussing in detail appendicitis.

• What is Appendicitis? 
• What are the types of Appendicitis?
• What are the causes of Appendicitis? 
• What are the risk factors for Appendicitis?
• What are the symptoms of Appendicitis?
• How to diagnose Appendicitis?
• How to prepare for Appendix surgery?
• What is the treatment for Appendicitis?
• How to care after Appendix surgery?
• What are the complications of Appendicitis?
• What are the home remedies for Appendicitis? 

What is Appendicitis? 

• An inflammatory condition of the appendix is known as appendicitis.
• Appendicitis can lead to pain in the lower right abdominal region.
• As the inflammation of the appendix worsens, the appendicitis pain increases in severity.
• If not treated, appendicitis can cause the appendix to burst, leading to the spilling of bacteria into the abdominal cavity, which could sometimes be fatal.
• Appendicitis is normally treated by the surgical removal of the appendix.

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What are the types of Appendicitis?

Appendicitis can be of the following two types:

Acute appendicitis:

• It is a severe and sudden case of appendicitis.
• It is normally seen in people between 10 to 30 years of age.
• It is more commonly seen in men than females.
• Pain develops and intensifies quickly over a 24-hour period.
• Immediate medical treatment is required. 
• On being left untreated, it can lead to the rupture of the appendix and cause serious and sometimes fatal complications.

Chronic appendicitis:

• It is less commonly seen as compared to acute appendicitis.
• The symptoms are usually mild and usually occur after a case of acute appendicitis.
• The symptoms may disappear completely before reappearing again after many weeks, months, or years.
• This type of appendicitis is usually difficult to diagnose.

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What are the causes of Appendicitis? 

The exact cause of appendicitis is not known. It is thought to occur when a part of the appendix becomes blocked or obstructed.

The possible causes of obstruction of the appendix are:

• Hardened stool buildup
• Intestinal worms
• Enlarged lymphoid follicles
• Tumors
• A traumatic injury

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What are the risk factors for Appendicitis?

Certain factors increase the risk of developing appendicitis, and may include:

• Most commonly seen in the 20s, but may occur at any age
• More common in men
• Family history of appendicitis

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What are the symptoms of Appendicitis? 

The symptoms of appendicitis may include:

• Sudden pain starting in the right side of the lower abdomen
• Sudden pain starting around the navel, later shifting to the lower right abdominal area
• Pain that worsens on walking, coughing, or making other jarring movements
• Pain in the upper abdomen during pregnancy (as the appendix is higher during pregnancy)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Mild fever, that may worsen later
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence (passing gas)
• Abdominal bloating

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How to diagnose Appendicitis?

• Physical examination: The doctor applies gentle pressure on the painful area. When the pressure is released suddenly, the appendicitis pain may worsen, indicating inflammation. The doctor will also check for abdominal rigidity and your tendency of stiffening the abdominal muscles in response to pressure over the appendix which is inflamed. Your symptoms, medical history, and family history are noted.
• Digital rectal exam: The doctor uses a lubricated, gloved finger to examine the lower rectum (distal part of the large intestine, that temporarily stores the stools).
• Pelvic exam: In the case of women of childbearing age, the doctor may insert his/her lubricated, gloved fingers into the vagina to check for possible gynecological problems that could be causing pain.
• Blood test: The doctor checks for a high white blood cell count, which could indicate ban infection.
• Urine test: A urinalysis helps the doctor in making sure that a kidney stone or urinary tract infection is not causing pain.
• Imaging tests: Abdominal x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI scans help in obtaining clear images of the appendix. They help in confirming the diagnosis of appendicitis or finding other possible causes of pain. 

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How to prepare for Appendix surgery?

• Tell the doctor about any medications or supplements that you may be taking.
• Tell the doctor if you have any medical conditions.
• Tell the doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medications, anesthetic agents, latex, iodine, or tape.
• If you are pregnant or think that you could be pregnant, tell your doctor about the same.
• Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight, the day before the surgery.
• The doctor may ask you to stop taking blood-thinners like warfarin and aspirin a few before the procedure.

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What is the treatment for Appendicitis?

• Appendicitis condition is a medical emergency. The appendix may burst and cause a fatal infection. Therefore, surgery is advised to remove the inflamed appendix.
• The doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to treat the infection.
• If the appendix has burst and an abscess (pus) had formed around it, the doctor will first drain the abscess by placing a tube through the skin into the abscess. Surgery is performed several weeks after the infection has been controlled.
• The procedure of surgically removing the appendix is known as appendectomy. The surgery can be performed in the following ways:

Open surgery:

• This procedure is done under general anesthesia, that is, the patient is asleep during the procedure.
• An incision (cut) about 2 to 4 inches long is made on the lower right side of the abdomen.
• The surgeon spots the appendix and removes it.
• If the appendix has burst, the surgeon may place a small tube called a shunt to drain out the pus and other fluids in the abdomen.
• The shunt is taken out after a few days after the infection goes away.

Laparoscopic surgery:

• General anesthesia is first administered.
• The surgeon makes many small incisions in the abdomen.
• A tube with a camera on one end, known as a laparoscope, and small surgical tools are inserted into the abdomen through the incisions made.
• Laparoscopic surgery allows for faster healing, with less pain and scarring. It is generally preferred in obese people and older adults.
• You will be staying in the hospital for one or two days after the procedure.

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There are many renowned doctors and hospitals in India where Appendix surgery is done with great expertise and success.

Cost of Appendix Surgery in Mumbai

Cost of Appendix Surgery in Bangalore

Cost of Appendix Surgery in Delhi

Cost of Appendix Surgery in Chennai

 

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How to care after Appendix surgery?

• Avoid strenuous activities for three to five days after laparoscopic surgery, and for ten to fourteen days after open surgery.
• Apply pressure when you feel like laughing, coughing, or moving to reduce pain.
• The doctor may advise some pain-relieving medications to relieve your pain.
• Antibiotics may be recommended by the doctor to prevent infection.
• Start to move around as soon as you can.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Keep the site of the incision dry and clean.
• Take a good amount of rest.
• You can resume your daily activities one week after the surgery.

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What are the complications of Appendicitis?

The complications of appendicitis include:

• Peritonitis (a ruptured appendix spreads infection through the abdomen)
• An abscess (pocket of pus) formation
• Sepsis (bacteria from the ruptured abscess can travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream)
• Complications of appendectomy may include:
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blocked bowels
• Injury to the nearby organs

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What are the home remedies for Appendicitis? 

The following home remedies can help in providing relief from appendicitis pain:

• Drinking buttermilk with black salt
• Eat two to three cloves of garlic with meals 
• Eat green vegetables like spinach
• Shortly before meals, eat rock salt mixed with any tomato, radish, carrot salad
• Boil cow or buffalo milk well and drink it after cooling
• Drink more water 

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We hope we could answer all your questions about appendicitis through this article.

If you want to get more information and treatment about appendicitis, you can contact a good Gastroenterologist.

We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.