Appendicitis and its Treatments

Health & FitnessMedicine

  • Author Harry Jackson
  • Published February 9, 2010
  • Word count 938

The signs of appendicitis have an unspecific character, also occurring in other conditions and diseases. The signs of appendicitis are usually more difficult to detect in elderly people, people with special conditions and very young children. Appendicitis refers to inappropriate activity of the vermiform appendix, a worm-shaped extension of the colon.The most common form of treatment for appendicitis involves the extraction of the appendix from the body through a procedure called appendectomy. If the appendix isn’t surgically removed in time, it becomes enlarged, fills up with bacteria and it eventually bursts, causing serious internal complications.

The appendix has quite a few different names including;cecal appendix, and vermiform appendix. These all mean the same thing and these other words are only really useful for medical professionals and human biologists. The appendix is normally around 10cm in length and it stays in the lower right hand side of the abdomen. When you have appendicitis symptoms the pain can be felt around the belly button and other parts of the abdomen. The area around the appendix will be very sore to the touch. Even though we are born with an appendix nobody really knows why it is there, and when it is removed the body shows no signs of missing it.

Although these signs of appendicitis are common in people with acute forms of the illness, they don’t always occur in people with chronic appendicitis. There are also people with acute forms of illness that don’t have any signs of appendicitis at all. This special category of people includes: people with diabetes, people with HIV, people that have previously suffered surgical interventions (organ transplants) and obese people.

Appendicitis is considered to be a serious illness and the most efficient treatment at the time being involves medical surgery. Appendicitis is therefore a surgical emergency and it can be efficiently overcome only by removing the diseased appendix from the body.Anyone can develop appendicitis, regardless of age and sex. However, the illness has a higher incidence in men. Also, children with ages between 3-15 are exposed the most to developing acute appendicitis. Elderly people and patients with special conditions usually develop atypical acute appendicitis.

Although appendicitis can’t be effectively prevented, it is thought that a diet rich in fibers may reduce the chances of developing the illness. According to statistics, appendicitis affects about 6-7 percent of the population in the United States and Europe.The surgical intervention performed in acute appendicitis is called appendectomy. If acute appendicitis is treated in time, the patients recover quickly and effortless. Most patients are fully recovered within 4 weeks from surgery. However, in the case of complicated acute appendicitis, the patients require special monitoring before and long after the surgical treatment.

To correctly diagnose appendicitis in its incipient stages is a very difficult task. Hence, many patients may have already developed serious complications by the time they are diagnosed with appendicitis. Despite medical progress and the abundance of accumulated data regarding appendicitis, the disease is still revealed late or misdiagnosed in present.The symptoms of appendicitis in people with special conditions are probably the most difficult to detect. While symptoms like fever, abdominal pain and bloating are common in most patients with acute appendicitis, some people with the illness only feel a general state of fatigue and discomfort.

Treatments

Appendicitis is considered to be a surgical illness. Due to its severe character, the treatment for appendicitis often involves surgical intervention. Judging by the speed of development and the gravity of the illness, appendicitis can be either acute or chronic. Acute appendicitis evolves very fast and can lead to complications.

The process of appendectomy is employed as the surgical treatment of appendicitis. Appendectomy is an uncomplicated operation when it comes to cases of the normal, simpler forms of appendicitis. The physical response generated by most patients undergoing operation is good and complete recovery is certain in a span of few weeks from surgery.

Appendectomy is still given the first preference when it comes to the cure of acute appendicitis, in spite of current technological breakthrough and the availability of varied forms of medication. Doctors may opt to suggesting antibiotics treatment in cases of the common, simpler form of appendicitis.Some tests will be done to see if you have appendicitis or not. A white blood cell count will be performed along with a urine test to exclude a urinary infection. Even abdominal CT or ultrasound can be performed by the doctor if he has doubts about your appendicitis.

The treatment of appendicitis is strictly surgical and resumes in the removal of the appendix and draining of a possible formed abscess. The operation is called appendectomy. Antibiotics must be administered before and after surgery to prevent a potential peritonitis. Two methods of removing the appendix are available to surgeons today: classical surgery or laparoscopic surgery; the last mentioned one is more advantageous because of the smaller incision needed and also because the patient recovers faster. In two or three weeks the patient will return to his normal life style independent on the method of appendectomy.

Herbal treatment for appendicitis means sustaining the recovery after the surgical intervention; it cannot replace surgery by any chance. If you suspect appendicitis in you or your child call a doctor immediately.To help your child heal faster there is a schedule about herbal treatment you should follow.In the first three days administrate a combination of Echinacea and Goldenseal to stimulate the elimination of toxins remaining from anesthesia. Taken in 2-3 doses per day they can also prevent infections of the surgical wound by stimulating the immune system.

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