Appendicitis

APPENDICITIS

Appendicitis is a condition in which your appendix becomes inflamed and fills with pus. Your appendix is a finger-shaped pouch that projects out from your colon on the lower rightside of your abdomen. Appendicitis causes pain that typically begins around your navel and then shifts to your lower right abdomen. Appendicitis is more often in people between the ages of 10 and 30.Signs & Symptoms
* Aching pain that begins around your navel and often shifts to your lower right abdomen
* Pain that becomes sharper; tenderness when applying pressure
* Nausea* Vomiting
* Loss of appetite
* Constipation
* Diarrhea

Causes
* An obstruction: Food waste or fecal stone blocking the way.
* An infection: Gastrointestinal viral infection orother types of inflammation.

Complications
* If your appendix ruptures, the contents of your intestines and infectious organisms can leak into your abdominal cavity. This can cause peritonitis.* A pocket of pus that forms in the abdomen. If your appendix has burst, infection and the seepage of intestinal contents may form an abscess.

Tests and diagnosis
- Physical exam to assessyour pain. (Applying pressure on the painful area)
- Blood test.
- Urine test.
- Imaging tests.

Treatments and drugs
Appendicitis treatment usually involves surgery to remove the inflamedappendix. Other treatments may be necessary depending on your situation. Surgery to remove the appendix: appendectomy or laparoscopic operation.

Laparoscopic surgery isn't appropriate for everyone; ifyour appendix has ruptured and infection has spread beyond the appendix or if an abscess is present, you may require an open appendectomy.

Prevention
The best way to prevent appendicitis is toeat plenty of green leafy vegetables. If you find you do have symptoms of appendicitis already, there are some herbs that have been known to help reduce the effects. These herbs include: detoxifying...