Switch to हिंदी

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Diet | Pregnancy & Parenting | Diseases & Home Remedies | TheHealthSite.com

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Diet | Pregnancy & Parenting | Diseases & Home Remedies | TheHealthSite.com

हिंदी
  • Health A-Z
  • Diabetes
  • Diseases
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Cancer
    • Heart Attack
    • Pneumonia
    • Diseases A-Z
  • Diet & Fitness
    • Weight Management
    • Exercise & Body Building
    • Diet & Recipes
    • Yoga
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Pregnancy
    • Conceiving
    • Infertility
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Pregnancy week-by-week
    • Breastfeeding
    • Baby Names
  • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Hair
    • Grooming
  • Photos
  • Videos
Home / Diseases & Conditions / Appendicitis

Appendicitis

AppendicitisFor years, the appendix was credited with very little function. But now there is adequate evidence that the appendix serves an important role in the fetus and in young adults. Specific cells which appear in the appendix of the human fetus at around the 11th week of the developmental stage have been shown to produce various essential compounds that control biological mechanisms in the developing baby. Among adult humans also, the appendix is now thought to be involved in some immune functions.

Appendicitis is the inflammation and swelling of the appendix, a small tube like structure protruding from the large intestine. It occurs when the appendix gets blocked with stool or foreign particles passing through the intestine. Blockage may cause infection which results in painful swelling of the appendix. ‘If left alone, the appendix does not cause any problems,’ says Dr Kukreja.

Causes

Appendicitis the inflammation and swelling of the appendix, a small tube like structure protruding from the large intestine. It occurs when the appendix gets blocked with stool or foreign particles passing through the intestine. Blockage may cause infection which results in painful swelling of the appendix. ‘If left alone, the appendix does not cause any problems,’ says Dr Kukreja.


Risk factors

Anyone can suffer from appendicitis. ‘The highest incidence of appendicitis is found in individuals aged 10-19 years. Also, males have more likely to suffer than females for all age groups (overall rate ratio, 1.4:1),’ says Dr Kukreja.


Symptoms

The initial symptom of appendicitis is pain in the lower abdominal region on the right hand side. The pain is sharp and intense. It originates from the navel (middle of the abdomen) and gradually starts worsening over 6-24 hours. Other symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Change in bowel movements (constipation or diarrhoea)
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Stomach cramps


Diagnosis

Most of the initial symptoms of appendicitis overlap with the symptoms of other gastrointestinal problems. Moreover there is no definitive or test that can confirm appendicitis.

The doctor first does a physical examination to assess pain. A blood test that shows increased count of white blood cells (WBCs) may indicate infection.

The doctor may also recommend a CT scan or an X-ray to confirm appendicitis. Read more about ultrasound safer than CT scans or X-rays to confirm or rule out appendicitis.


Treatment

‘Appendectomy remains the only curative treatment of appendicitis but antibiotics do play an important role in the treatment of patients with this acute appendicitis. The duration of the administration of antibiotics is closely related to the stage of appendicitis at the time of the diagnosis,’ says Dr Kukreja.

Read about why treatment of appendicitis is the key to fighting its complications.


Complications

If diagnosis of appendicitis takes a longer time, the pain may become severe as the infection spreads. If not treated at the right time, the appendix may burst to release the pus to surrounding areas, which can be life-threatening. Sometimes, a tender mass of pus (abscess) may form around the burst appendix.


Prevention

Although appendicitis cannot be prevented, studies have shown that the incidence of appendicitis is a lot lower in countries where a high-fiber diet is common. Here are 10 reasons you should eat fibre-rich foods.

The content has been verified by Dr Ajit Naniksingh Kukreja, laparoscopic GI & colorectal surgeon, Ahmedabad.


More About Appendicitis

  • A glass of red wine will keep depression away

    A glass of red wine will keep depression away

    A glass of red wine a day may very well keep the doctor away. A glass thrice a week can give you protection from a range of diseases.

  • Antibiotics may replace surgery for the treatment of appendicitis

    Antibiotics may replace surgery for the treatment of appendicitis

    While the possibility of a non-surgical treatment for appendicitis is good news for sufferers, it is crucial to spot the signs of this condition early on, so that it is not left untreated for long

  • Are you suffering from appendicitis? Know how to manage it

    Are you suffering from appendicitis? Know how to manage it

    People with appendicitis find it difficult to carry on with their daily chores. But if you correct your faulty lifestyle and inculcate healthy eating habits it can help you to tackle it.

  • New paediatric appendicitis risk calculator may help to calculate a specific risk for appendicitis in kids

    New paediatric appendicitis risk calculator may help to calculate a specific risk for appendicitis in kids

    With this new method, clinicians will be able to provide tailored medical and surgical guidance to a patient, the researchers said.

  • Smell these 4 scents to stop vomiting and nausea

    Smell these 4 scents to stop vomiting and nausea

    Just inhaling these scents can prevent you from vomiting.

  • What do I do if my appendix bursts? (Query)

    What do I do if my appendix bursts? (Query)

    Can you drink water when you suspect your appendix is perforated? Read what the expert has to say.

  • Abdominal pain in women - when should you worry?

    Abdominal pain in women - when should you worry?

    Do not take your stomach ache lightly, it could be anything from an ectopic pregnancy, hernia or kidney stones!

  • 5 common causes of pelvic pain in men

    5 common causes of pelvic pain in men

    Pain in the left side of the abdomen might indicate appendicitis. Find out more causes of pelvic pain.

  • Antibiotics do not complicate appendicitis

    Antibiotics do not complicate appendicitis

    Using antibiotics as the primary treatment for appendicitis does not increase the risk for complications, says a new study.

  • 7 symptoms of appendicitis you should be aware of

    7 symptoms of appendicitis you should be aware of

    If not treated at the right time, an appendix can rupture and cause death in some cases. So beware of these symptoms.

  • Here's why your doctor should not prescribe antibiotics after an appendicitis

    Here's why your doctor should not prescribe antibiotics after an appendicitis

  • Causes and treatment of appendicitis

    Causes and treatment of appendicitis

    Here's everything you need to know about appendicitis.

  • 15 causes of abdominal pain

    15 causes of abdominal pain

  • Acupuncture can reduce acute appendicitis pain in children: Study

    Acupuncture can reduce acute appendicitis pain in children: Study

  • Appendicitis -- early diagnosis and treatment is the key to fighting its complications

    Appendicitis -- early diagnosis and treatment is the key to fighting its complications

  • 'Pavitra Rishta' actress undergoes surgery for removal of appendix

    'Pavitra Rishta' actress undergoes surgery for removal of appendix

  • Appendicitis -- symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

    Appendicitis -- symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

    Could your recurring stomach pain be due to appendicitis? Here are the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

  • Ankur Arora Murder Case: What is the danger of undergoing an operation on a 'not-empty stomach?

    Ankur Arora Murder Case: What is the danger of undergoing an operation on a 'not-empty stomach?

  • Ultrasound safer than CT scans or X-rays to confirm or rule out appendicitis

    Ultrasound safer than CT scans or X-rays to confirm or rule out appendicitis

Read Disclaimer

Coronavirus Updates

Coronavirus Updates

Stay Informed, Be Safe

  • Coronavirus: WHO issues new advisory for COVID-19 patients
  • India’s Covaxin can neutralize UK variant of COVID-19, finds new study
  • COVID-19 vaccination FAQs: All you need to know before you get the jab
  • Increase your omega-3 intake to reduce death risk due to Covid-19
  • COVID-19 Live Updates: Cases in India surge to 10,676,838 while death toll reaches 1,53,587

Recent Posts

  • Coronavirus: WHO issues new advisory for COVID-19 patients
  • Sourav Ganguly hospitalised again because of chest pain: Is this normal after angioplasty?
  • ‘Extremely essential’: Kareena Kapoor Khan on importance of yoga during pregnancy
  • Exposure to antibiotics linked to reduced weight and height in boys: Study
  • India’s Covaxin can neutralize UK variant of COVID-19, finds new study

Health Calculators

BMI Calculator
bmi Calculator
Ideal Body Weight
ideal body weight
Daily Calorie Intake
Daily calorie intake
Calories Burned
calories burned

Health News in Hindi

Gall Bladder Surgery: गॉल ब्लैडर सर्जरी के बाद ऐसे करें डायट में बदलाव, करें इन फूड्स का सेवन और इनसे परहेज

सर्वाइकल कैंसर का पता लगाने के लिए महिलाएं हर 3 साल पर जरुर कराएं ये एक टेस्‍ट, पढें एक्‍सपर्ट की सलाह

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: कोवि़ड-19 से मौत का खतरा कम करता है ओमेगा-3 एसिड, इन फूड्स से पूरी हो सकती है इसकी दैनिक ज़रूरत

Blood Test Guideline: ब्लड टेस्ट कराने से पहले कुछ खाना चाहिए या नहीं? पढ़ें ब्लड टेस्ट कराने से पहले की पूरी गाइडलाइन

सीने में दर्द के बाद सौरव गांगुली अस्‍पताल में भर्ती, कुछ दिन पहले कराई थी एंजियोप्‍लास्‍टी

Read All

Recent Posts

  • Coronavirus: WHO issues new advisory for COVID-19 patients
  • Soy Milk vs Almond Milk: Which one is better for your health?
  • Sourav Ganguly hospitalised again because of chest pain: Is this normal after angioplasty?
  • ‘Extremely essential’: Kareena Kapoor Khan on importance of yoga during pregnancy
  • Exposure to antibiotics linked to reduced weight and height in boys: Study

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com
+91 – 22 – 6697 1234
Landline Phone number 91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

Useful Links

  • Weight Loss
  • Keto Diet Tips
  • Skin Care Tips
  • Intermittent Fasting
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Ashwagandha
  • Cancer
  • Pneumonia
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dengue
  • Typhoid
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chickenpox
  • Chikungunya
  • Depression
  • Hepatitis
  • Diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Swine Flu
  • Baby Names
  • Cough and cold
  • Heart Attack
  • Breast Cancer
  • Ebola Virus
  • Dengue
  • Malaria
  • International Yoga Day
  • Hypotension
  • Heart Failure
  • Asthma
  • Brain Tumour
  • Celebrity Fitness
  • Goitre
  • HIV/AIDS

We respect your privacy

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Author Profiles

Copyright © 2021 Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved.