While conducting preliminary research leading to my shadowing experience with my doctor, I analyzed and broadened my knowledge about appendicitis. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix bursts. The appendix is a thin tube that is connected to the large intestine. The appendix is a storage for healthy bacteria and plays a major role in the digestive and immune systems.
Appendicitis can occur when the appendix is blocked caused by parasites or negative bacteria in the digestive tract. The appendix then becomes swollen and painful, and the blood supply to the appendix stops, which causes the swelling to worsen. Without blood flow, the appendix will start to die and rupture. When the appendix ruptures, mucus, stool, and other dangerous infections enter the stomach.
Every 1 in 1,000 people in the U.S. are negatively impacted by appendicitis. The symptoms of appendicitis include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, and a swollen stomach. The abdominal pain can start in the areas around the belly button, and slowly move to the lower-right side of the stomach. The pain also worsens over time and may feel worse while taking deep breaths, coughing, or sneezing.
Appendicitis can be diagnosed in many ways, such as blood tests, urine tests, MRI scans, abdominal ultrasound, and CT scans. The blood tests are to assess the amount of white blood cells. If there is a high amount, then the diagnosis will most likely be appendicitis. MRI and CT scans are more common diagnosis methods because they show detailed images of different body parts, such as organs, fat, muscles, and bones. These images make it easy to diagnose appendicitis.
Appendicitis has treatments, but all of them involve surgeries. The first type of surgery is open surgery, which is performed traditionally. The second surgery option is laparoscopic surgery. This surgery is performed by cutting small incisions in the belly and inserting a laparoscope in one of the incisions to examine the belly. Surgical tools are placed in some of the incisions to remove the appendix. Laparoscopies can also be performed if the appendix has already ruptured. Removing the appendix will not cause any future complications, and it is possible to live without an appendix. After surgery, rest is required for optimal function.
References
Written by Aanya Deshpande from MEDILOQUY