Appendicitis

The appendix is a tube-shaped piece of tissue in the lower-right quadrant of the belly attached to the large intestine. A normal and healthy appendix creates mucus that drains into the large intestine. If the appendix becomes inflamed or infected due to a blockage, this is called appendicitis. When this happens, the mucus build-up stops normal blood flow to the appendix and over time, the swelling and infection can cause the appendix to burst. Appendicitis must be treated immediately to avoid infection spreading throughout the belly.

The Most Common Signs:

• Pain that starts in the middle of the belly and moves down and right. You may also experience pain with deep breaths, coughing/sneezing, moving or when the stomach is touched.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Feeling sick to the stomach or lack of appetite.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Pain when peeing.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

• The doctor will examine the patient and may conduct tests to diagnose appendicitis. This may include an abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, blood tests and urinalysis.
• For minor cases and if the appendix has not ruptured, treatment with antibiotics is common and will include a stay in the hospital of 2–24 hours.
• For more severe cases where the appendix ruptures, an appendectomy surgical procedure may be needed. This will result in a 3–7-day hospital stay. Your doctor will advise you on surgery options, guidelines for post-discharge care, pain management and any complications to look out for.