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Appendicitis

Appendicitis: Help, Support and Overcome

Appendicitis Overview

Inflammation of appendix is commonly referred to as appendicitis. Appendicitis has been listed as the most common cause of acute abdominal pain worldwide. Appendicitis commonly affects children and young adults in the age group of 11 to 20 years and is rarely found in infants. Those with a family history of appendicitis are likely to pass the disease to the next generation.

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As appendicitis is an infection and inflammation of the vermiform appendix. It does have any effect on digestion and absorption. In case of severe infection, lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting may occur. Appendicitis is a serious health problem and in case medical help is not sought in time, the condition of the patient might aggravate leading to hospitalization. In most cases, the inflamed appendix needs to be removed by laparoscopy.

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Appendicitis does not have any outer physical manifestation and interferes with the digestive mechanism of the human body. Severe abdominal pain may result in case precautionary measures are not taken.

Help and Support for Appendicitis

There is no clarity on the causal agent responsible for appendicitis. Obstruction of the appendix owing to blockage due to fecal matter has been listed as one of the causes of appendicitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohnโ€™s disease, are also known to cause appendicitis.

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A mild pain in middle of abdomen near the umbilicus is the first symptom of appendicitis. This pain shifts to the right lower abdomen in the next 24 hours. The pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and fever. There is no way to judge the time of occurrence of appendicitis and neither is there a way to avoid its occurrence. Once a person has been diagnosed with appendicitis, removal of the appendix is the only viable solution available.

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Appendicitis is usually diagnosed by observing the symptoms of the disease and physical examination of the patient by the doctor. Though blood test cannot confirm the presence of appendicitis, an abnormal white blood cell count confirms the presence of appendicitis. White blood cell count usually increases in appendicitis. Imaging tests such as CT scans are also helpful in analyzing the condition of a person.

Overcome Appendicitis

There are no alternative therapies for appendicitis and the person has to undergo a surgery in case of complications. However, certain precautions are to be taken before one goes for a surgery. One should avoid eating or drinking as this can interfere with the healing process. Use of any antibiotic should be avoided prior to the surgery, as this might cause complications. Surgery to remove the appendix is the viable solution in case of appendicitis. Generally, this surgery is performed via laparoscopy where a keyhole incision is made to remove the appendix. The surgery does not have any side effect and the patient is discharged from hospital in two to three days after the operation. Care and support from the family is required as the patient takes two to six weeks to recover fully and get back to his/her normal routine.

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