What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is an acute infection of the appendix.
What is the appendix?
The appendix is a "vestigial organ" which means it's something we used to need but probably don't anymore. Cows and other herbivore (plant eating) animals have large appendix. The thought is that when humans had a more plant-based diet our appendix helped with the digestion of plant-based nutrients. In our current sgtate and with the average western diet, the appendix is no longer necessary and is a much smaller organ. The appendix dangles off of the first portion of the colon.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is an acute infection of the appendix. This is thought to be caused by an appendicolith or piece of stool that obstructs the opening of the appendix. This obstruction prevents the mucous normally produced by the appendix to build up which causes the appendix to swell. This swelling can eventually cause the appendix to get inflamed which leads to infection. If this is not treated within an average of 2 days, the appendix can rupture and cause serious life-threatening illness.
How do I know if I have appendicitis?
Appendicitis usually presents with pain in you mid to lower abdomen. The main is usually constant and nothing really makes it better. Motion or jostling can make it worse. often after several hours it will move to the right lower abdomen. This pain is often associated with lack of an appetite as well as fevers and chills. You can also have nausea and vomiting, but these most often happen after the pain starts. IF you experience these symptoms it's important to get to your doctor right away. Your doctor or the ER if you're feeling poorly enough will usually get a CT scan or cat scan. This is a special imaging test that allow us to see what's going on inside of your abdomen. This is very good at detecting acute appendicitis.
How is appendicitis treated?
Appendicitis is usually treated surgically. Although there have been several studies looking at treating appendicitis with antibiotics instead of surgery, the chance it comes back or gets worse is very high. Additionally, it requires a few days stay in the hospital. Because of this surgery is still the standard of care for acute appendicitis. The surgery consists of small incisions and a camera which are used to locate and remove the appendix.
What are the risks of surgery?
The risks of the surgery are relatively uncommon. Most surgeries are accomplished without any complications and recovery is swift. Having said that, the risks of surgery range from general surgical risks such as bleeding and infection to more specific risks such as damage to surrounding structures. In this case that means bowels, the liver, the bladder or the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. Usually this is recognized and fixed during the operation. Occasionally though, this is not recognized and can lead to a need for repeat surgery and can make you very sick and can even result in death. These injuries are very rare and occur in about 0.13% of cases. Finally, there are anesthesia risks to consider, and these include pneumonia, clots in the lings or legs, heart attack, stroke, and death. fortunately, these complications are all also extremely rare.
What can I expect after surgery?
Depending on whether surgery is urgent or scheduled, people usually go home the same day. You will usually feel poorly for 1-3 days although this can last for up to a month. I want you walking around the day of surgery. The worst thing you can do is sit on the couch and be lazy. This will increase your risk of clots and pneumonia as well as delay your recovery. I would like you to walk around the house as much as you're comfortable the first few days after surgery. You can also go up stairs, one flight at a time. I DO NOT want you doing any heavy lifting for the first 2 weeks. Heavy lifting will increase your risk of hernia from your incisions and will also make you feel worse. Most people are back to all of their normal activities by about 1 month.
I still have questions!
This is very common. I recommend all of my patients write down their questions either in their phone notes or on paper. This allows you to have them ready at your appointment so I can answer them. It is very common to walk out of the door after your office visit only to realize your forgot to ask about something. Writing the questions down prevents this. If you do forget to ask something though don't worry! Feel free to call my office and we will be sure to answer your questions!
Thank you!
Thank you for allowing me to take care of you or provide you information. I hope this article was helpful and appreciate any feedback. Every patient has a unique and personal history and situation. Although I tried to present very broad and non-specific information, nothing in this should constitute or override the specific medical advice from YOUR surgeon.
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