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You are having severe pain on the side of your stomach. Are you having an appendicitis?? The word strikes fear in many people because they have heard of other people who have had them. Appendicitis's are scary, but if you know the symptoms then you will be able to determine if a stomach ache is just that or more serious.
We all have an appendix, it is a small, thin, tube like structure at the end of the large intestine. Sometimes the appendix will get inflamed due to the way it is anatomically
shaped. In some people the appendix will get blocked with feces. When either of these things happen, the appendix can get infected and develop into an appendicitis. There is
no way to stop an appendicitis once it is occurring. And, there is no known way to prevent one from happening sometime in your life. The best thing you can do, is know the symptoms so that you can seek medical attention immediately should suspect your are having an appendicitis.
Sometimes the symptoms of an appendicitis are confusing. You may just think you are having a really bad stomach ache. The pain usually starts right around the belly button
area. The pain persists and over the next few hours it moves down and over to the right area of the abdomen. Sometimes it is so painful on the lower right side you will not want any pressure there. In some people the pain will come and go for a few days before it intensifies. Vomiting is common, as well as a fever. The appetite will have decreased or disappeared and you might have diarrhea. Sneezing, coughing or even breathing deeply may become painful. Sometimes the pain radiates down into the right leg.
An inflamed appendix can burst and that is why it is urgent that you get medical attention if you suspect an appendicitis. If the appendix bursts it is a life-threatening situation because the infection will spread into the abdominal wall. A rupture is marked by
extreme pain, pale sweaty skin, and a fever. If you suspect an appendicitis go immediately to the hospital.
At the hospital or in the doctor’s office an abdominal and rectal exam may be done. The doctor will take a blood sample to find any infection and possibly have an x-ray or
ultrasound done. If an appendicitis is found, emergency surgery is scheduled quickly to avoid a burst appendix. The doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to get rid of the
infection.
Hospitalization is about one week for recovery.
Intravenous feeding may be necessary for a day or two until the intestines begin functioning as normal. A nasal
tube may be placed down into the stomach to extract it's contents so that nausea and vomiting will not occur. The nurses will make the patient get up and walk the day after
surgery to get the intestines working again, prevent pneumonia and promote healing.
Appetite will begin to increase once healing has started. You may want to start slowly eating only broths, juices and other clear liquids. Applesauce, gelatin, bananas,
milkshakes and other soft foods are the next step. Work your way up to your normal diet, avoiding gaseous foods such as beans, broccoli and some nuts. Getting plenty of rest is also a necessary element of recovery.
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