What Is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a condition in which the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that opens into the large intestine, becomes swollen and filled with pus. Appendicitis can be caused by a bacterial infection or by blockage from a swollen intestine or a piece of stool.
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Symptoms
Symptoms of appendicitis in Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵren include:
- Constant pain in the belly—especially near the belly button and lower right side
- Belly pain that increases when walking or touching the lower side of the belly
- Vomiting after complaining of pain
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Fussy behavior in toddlers and small Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵren
Pus from an infected appendix can build up and create a hole, also known as ruptured or perforated appendicitis, causing infection to spread throughout the stomach. Contact your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s health care provider or take your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ to the emergency room immediately if he or she shows symptoms of appendicitis.
Treatment
Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s health care provider may determine that your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ needs an appendectomy to remove the appendix. Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ care professionals will give your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ antibiotics through an IV and anesthesia before the surgery. The antibiotics will stop the spread of infection and the anesthesia will put your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ to sleep—your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ won’t feel any pain during surgery.
Most often, surgeons will use a laparoscopic procedure to remove the appendix. This means that several small openings will be made in your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s belly to allow the surgeon to pull the appendix out.
Recovery from Appendicitis Surgery
The day after surgery, your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ will need to breathe deeply and walk around to help the intestine work properly again. The medical team may give your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ an IV for pain medication, antibiotics, and other fluids.
Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ will be allowed to go home when he or she is eating and drinking normally. The length of stay in the hospital depends on whether or not your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s appendix ruptured. If it didn’t rupture, expect to go home that same day. If it did rupture, expect to be in the hospital for three to seven days. Some Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵren get a second infection called an abscess if their appendix perforated, so the extended stay is important.
Diet
Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ will be allowed to drink clear liquids by mouth after surgery. Many Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵren feel queasy and even throw up after surgery, so it might take some time for your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ to be able to drink other liquids or to eat by mouth. When your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ is ready for a normal diet, he or she may be able to take medicine by mouth. Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ can eat a normal diet when you get home.
Incision Care
Care of the incision site is another important part of your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s recovery. Doctors will use Steri-stripsTM and Dermabond® to help your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ's incisions heal. Leave the Steri-stripsTM and Dermabond® in place for as long as possible. The site will be covered with waterproof glue or paper tape and topped with a sterile bandage. The tape or glue will fall off on its own within two weeks. Hospital staff will teach you how to take care of your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s incision before you go home.
Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ can take a shower two days after surgery. Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ should not take a bath or go swimming for one week after surgery because the incision site can’t be soaked or submerged until then.
Medications
Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ probably won’t need prescription pain medicine after surgery, but some providers prescribe it. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen will probably be enough to keep your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s pain under control. Be sure to follow the dosage guidelines on the medication packaging.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ can go back to school two days after surgery. Your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ should avoid activities that aggravate pain to the abdomen until he or she starts to feel better.
Seek Immediate Care
Contact your doctor if your Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ experiences:
- A temperature higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pain that won’t go away with the help of medication
- Green or yellow vomit, bloody diarrhea, or diarrhea that lasts more than a week
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no urine, or small amounts of dark urine)
- Redness, drainage, swelling, or tenderness at the incision site
