Is that abdominal pain appendicitis?

APPENDICITIS is the swelling of the appendix which is a fingershaped pouch that projects from your intestines on the lower right side of your abdomen. The appendix itself doesn’t seem to have a specific purpose in your body.

THE following symptoms might mean you have appendicitis: · Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower abdomen ◆ Sudden pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen

◆ Pain that worsens if you cough, walk or make other jarring movements

◆ Nausea and vomiting

◆ Loss of appetite

◆ Low-grade fever that may worsen

as the illness progresses

◆ Constipation or diarrhoea

◆ Abdominal bloating Usually the site of the pain varies depending on your age and when you are pregnant the pain seems to come from your upper abdomen as the intestines and appendix would have been pushed up by the uterus.

A blockage in the lining of the appendix that results in infection is the likely cause of appendicitis. The bacteria multiply rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and filled with pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture.

Appendicitis can cause serious complications, such as:

◆ A ruptured appendix. A rupture spreads infection throughout your abdomen (peritonitis). Possibly life-threatening, this condition requires immediate surgery to remove the appendix and clean your abdominal cavity.

◆ A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix bursts, you may develop a pocket of infection (abscess). In most cases, a surgeon drains the abscess by placing a tube through your abdominal wall into the abscess. The tube is left in place for two weeks, and you’re given antibiotics to clear the infection before the appendix is removed. Appendicitis treatment usually involves surgery to remove the inflamed appendix. Before surgery you may be given a dose of antibiotics to reduce infection. Appendix removal surgery, appendectomy, can be performed as open surgery using one abdominal incision about 5 to 10 centimetres long (laparotomy). Or the surgery can be done through a few small abdominal incisions (laparoscopic surgery). During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon inserts special surgical tools and a video camera into your abdomen to remove your appendix.

In general, laparoscopic surgery allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. It may be better for people who are elderly or obese. But laparoscopic surgery isn’t appropriate for everyone.

If your appendix has ruptured and infection has spread beyond the appendix or you have an abscess, you may need an open appendectomy, which allows your surgeon to clean the abdominal cavity. Expect to spend one or two days in the hospital after your appendectomy. Expect a few weeks of recovery from an appendectomy, or longer if your appendix burst. To help your body heal after appendectomy:

◆ Avoid strenuous activity at first. If your appendectomy was done laparoscopically, limit your activity for three to five days. If you had an open appendectomy, limit your activity for 10 to 14 days. Always ask your doctor about limitations on your activity and when you can resume normal activities following surgery.

◆ Support your abdomen when you cough. Place a pillow over your abdomen and apply pressure before you cough, laugh or move to help reduce pain.

◆ Call your doctor if your pain medications aren’t helping.Being in pain puts extra stress on your body and slows the healing process. If you’re still in pain despite your pain medications, call your doctor.

◆ Get up and move when you’re ready. Start slowly and increase your activity as you feel up to it. Start with short walks.

◆ Sleep when tired. As your body heals, you may find you feel sleepier than usual. Take it easy and rest when you need to.

If you think you might have appendicitis, please visit your doctor.