| Appendicitis (or epityphlitis ) is a condition | | | | Inability to pass gas |
| characterized by inflammation of the appendix. | | | | Vomiting |
| Appendicitis begins when the opening from the | | | | Abdominal swelling |
| appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. This | | | | Chills and shaking |
| rock is called a fecalith (literally, a rock of stool). | | | | Nausea |
| The appendix is a part of the bowel that doesn't | | | | Diarrhea |
| have any known use to humans. It is a small tube | | | | Constipation |
| about 5-10cm long that is found at the end of the | | | | Low fever that begins after other symptoms |
| caecum (the small pouch near the start of the | | | | Anorexia (loss of appetite) |
| large intestine). In the United States, 1 in 15 people | | | | Treatment of Appendicitis |
| gets appendicitis. At other times, the lymphatic | | | | Surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy) |
| tissue in the appendix may swell and block the | | | | as soon as possible, unless the doctor feels a |
| appendix. The body responds to the invasion by | | | | mass on the outside. |
| mounting an attack on the bacteria, an attack | | | | If mass is felt on the outside, patients are treated |
| called inflammation. The cause of such a rupture is | | | | with IV antibiotics and fluids, and appendectomy is |
| unclear, but it may relate to changes that occur in | | | | done when the patient is more stable. |
| the lymphatic tissue, for example, inflammation, | | | | Appendicitis is an emergency that must be |
| that line the wall of the appendix.) Having a good | | | | treated surgically. It cannot be treated at home. |
| understanding of this common problem can help | | | | Call your doctor immediately if you suspect that |
| to avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency | | | | your child has appendicitis. However do not give |
| room and avoid a delay in diagnosis or a | | | | your child any medication to dull the pain without |
| misdiagnosis when your child really does have | | | | consulting the doctor. |
| appendicitis. Because appendicitis is considered to | | | | The operation is done under general anaesthesia. |
| be a surgical emergency, if you think your child | | | | After the operation , there could be some pain |
| has appendicitis, call your doctor or go to the | | | | and discomfort at the operation site. An injection |
| emergency room right away. | | | | will be given if necessary, to relieve the pain. |
| Causes of Appendicitis | | | | During the post-operative period, usually the |
| The common Causes of Appendicitis : | | | | patient is allowed to drink fluids and start a light |
| Tumor obstruction | | | | diet in stages. The total length of stay in hospital |
| Viral infection of appendix | | | | varies between patients and can be 3-7 days. |
| Parasitic worm obstruction | | | | Before surgery a medical check up is required to |
| Fecal obstruction | | | | make sure with the physician to see if you are fit |
| Barium obstruction (from a medical test) | | | | for anaesthesia and the surgery. Simultaneously, a |
| Symptoms of Appendicitis | | | | blood test is done and also an ultrasound and |
| Some Symptoms of Appendicitis : | | | | possibly an X - ray abdomen, if necessary. |
| Pain in the right side of the abdomen | | | | |