ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES NO: 12 : APPENDICITIS

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

APPENDICITIS

SYMPTOM


The classic symptoms of Appendicitis include;

• Dull pain near the naval or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen. This is usually the first sign

• Loss of Appetite

• Nausea and /or vomiting soon after abdominal pain begins

• Temperature 99Deg F to 102deg F

• Constipation of diarrhea with gas

Almost half the time, other symptoms appear, including

• Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back, or rectum

• Painful urination

• Vomiting that precedes the abdominal pain



WHAT IS APPENDICITIS

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a 3 ½ - inch –long tube of tissue that extends from the large intestine. The appendix contains lymphoid tissue and may produce antibodies; however, no one is absolutely certain what its function is. One thing we do know: we can live without it, without apparent consequences.

Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infection into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious infection of the abdominal cavity’s lining ( the peritoneum )that can be fatal unless it is treated quickly with strong antibiotics.

Sometimes a pus-filled abscess forms outside the inflated appendix .Fibrous scar tissue then ”walls off” the appendix from the rest of the abdomen, preventing infection from spreading. An abscessed appendix is a less urgent situation, but unfortunately, it can not be identified without surgery. For this reason, all cases of appendicitis are treated as emergencies.

CAUSES

Appendicitis occurs when the tube-shaped appendix becomes blocked, often by fecal material, a foreign body, or cancer. Blockage may also be due to infection; like other lymphoid tissue, the appendix swells in response to any infection in the body. As it expands, its opening gradually closes.


TREATMENT



Surgery to remove the appendix, which is called an Appendectomy, is the standard treatment for Appendicitis.



CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

If Appendicitis is even suspected, physician tends to err on the side of safety and quickly remove the appendix to avoid its rupture. If appendix has formed an abscess, you may have two procedures; one to drain the abscess of pus and fluid, and a later one to remove the appendix.

Antibiotics are given before an appendectomy to fight possible peritonitis. General anesthesia is given, and the appendix is removed through a 4-inch incision. If you have peritonitis, the abdomen is also drained of pus. Within 12 hours of surgery you may get yup and move around. you can usually return to normal activities in two or three weeks. If surgery is done with a laparoscope ( a thin telescope-like instrument for viewing inside the abdomen), the incisions is smaller and recovery is faster.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

If you have appendicitis you need a physician’s care, but alternative therapies can be helpful in preparing for recuperating from appendectomy.

ACUPRESSURE

Massaging the following points each day can help to speed your recovery from appendectomy. To improve appetite and intestinal function, massage stomach 36 and Bladder 25; add large Intestine 4 to Calm pain; Lever 3 to reduce abdominal bloating; and Spleen 6 to promote over all healing.

HOMEOPATHY

Taken before surgery, one dose of Phosphorus ( 30c) may help minimize nausea from anesthesia, if needed, repeat every two hours after surgery until the nausea dissipates.After Surgery, applying a solution of Hypericum and Calendula ( 4 drops of each added to 1 cup water) three or four times daily can help your incision heal.



AT HOME CARE

• Keep your incision clean to promote healing and avoid infection

• Once your incision has closed, prick open a Vitamin E capsule and apply the gel directly to your wound to minimize scarring