Appendicitis - Know The Signs!

The appendix is a small vestigial organ that practically serves no purpose in the human species. It can get blocked easily when there is food particles or stool entrapped within it, leading to blockage of the tube. In rare cases, there can also be cancer of the appendix. Bacteria multiply rapidly in this and pus formation ensues. This leads to pain and infection, causing appendicitis. If your immune system is weak, try to alter food habits and avoid constipation.

The appendix is a very tiny tubal organ and if the infection is not contained, it can rupture, leading to spillage of the bacteria into the abdominal area. There could be infection of the surrounding organs or the abdominal cavity, known as peritonitis. When a rupture is suspected, the doctor would suggest appendicectomy.

Almost always, an appendicitis episode leads to removal of the appendix. When a patient presents with an infection, it is often with severe pain and therefore in acute state. This requires immediate pain and infection control followed by a surgery, which involves removal of the appendix. Though it may look feasible to control the infection and pain and not go for an operation, it is always advisable to get it removed to prevent recurrence.

With surgical advances, the appendix surgery is done laparoscopically. This is a minimally invasive process with minimal hospitalization, minimal scarring, and better postoperative recovery. Infection and pain control postoperatively have to be followed but most cases are operated in this way. An open abdominal surgery is rarely done these days. Before the operation, the patient is given a round of antibiotics and pain control to control the infection and pain. Getting the pain, nausea, and infection under control is the first line of treatment before surgery can be done.