Appendicitis is a disease characterized by the infection of the appendix, a small, tube-like appendage that sticks out from the large intestines. The infection of the appendix is caused by foreign materials that block it, such as wastes, stools, and tumors. The appendix can also be directly infected by bacteria.
An infected appendix gradually fills with pus and swells. As it is in its inflamed state, it causes significant pain and discomfort to the body through lethal symptoms. If the pain from these symptoms is bad enough, they could cause the patient to go into shock. As the disease of the appendix grows worse without proper treatment, it ultimately explodes, dealing a significant damage to the body. Not many patients survive after the appendix has exploded. That is why patients need to have their appendix surgically remove, as is the only sure treatment of appendicitis, to prevent such unfortunate event. This surgical operation is called appendectomy. Since there has been no apparent use for the appendix as studied, there is no harm in the removal of the appendix.
Appendicitis is truly a dangerous disease. Most of the times, it takes weeks before the appendix succumbs to the infection and explodes. But there are also cases in which the appendix explode as early as 24 hours after the symptoms show. As such, it is important to know these symptoms, and it is important that a doctor must be visited as soon as these ominous signs are recognized.
Here is the full list of symptoms of appendicitis (Note that there is not much difference in symptoms among children and adults):
Nausea
The infection and inflammation of the appendix cause irritation to many parts of the digestive system. These irritations cause the partially digested food to be pushed back up from the intestines all the way to the throat, resulting from nausea and projectile vomiting. Appendicitis is sure to cause nausea and vomiting, as do most diseases in the digestive system. One way to counter this symptom is to drink a mixture of juice, sugar, and salt. Mix a glass of juice (nothing too acidic), add a teaspoon of sugar, and half a teaspoon of salt. Have the patient sit comfortably and slowly sip the drink with a straw. Carbonated drinks like coke may also work, but there are sometimes recommended as they can worsen bloating.
Bloating
This is the buildup of gas inside the stomach. Bloating causes pain and discomfort to the patient and may cause nausea. Since gas always finds a way to get out of the body, it is given that something must be disrupting its normal flow. Bloating is easy to treat, however. Just simply release your gasses by farting or burping. Ingesting peppermint can also aid you in relieving the pain and absorbing the built-up gasses in your stomach. There are also various liniment oils available for stomach aches and bloating.
Stomach aches
Most appendicitis patients describe their stomach aches as if their intestines were twisted like squeezing water out of a drenched cloth. It is common fact that stomach pain from appendicitis is completely different from when you get a stomach bug. To ease the pain, sleeping in a comfortable position or curling yourself into a ball helps. You may also apply liniment oils to relieve the pain temporarily. But it is important that the appendicitis is cured as soon as possible, otherwise, the pain will persist and gradually increase in intensity.
Abscesses
These are pockets of pus that cover the insides of your abdomen. This usually happens when the appendix explodes. Abscesses are usually complicated to treat and require the aid of a doctor and some surgical tools.
Loss of Appetite
This is one of the earliest symptoms of appendicitis. This is caused by other symptoms like the stomach ache and nausea. This symptom is also a defense mechanism of the body caused by slight hormone imbalance to allow the digestive system to rest. But not having the appetite to eat is harmful to the other systems of the body. To counter this symptom, just make sure that the patient takes adequate amount of nutrients through foods that are easy to eat, such as soups and cereals. There are also various food supplements that can aid in boosting the appetite. Visit a doctor for proper prescriptions of this supplement.
Fever
This symptom is also a defense mechanism of the body to fight against the sickness and infection. The purpose of the fever is to raise the temperature of the body, making it an unsuitable environment for the harmful germs and bacteria. As this symptom is actually necessary, it is not advisable to get rid of it completely. You may take pain relievers to ease the headaches that come with the fever, and take apply a cold compress to the forehead to slightly reduce your temperature.
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