The physicians of Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, want you to know that appendicitis is a medical emergency that could have serious consequences if left untreated.
Your appendix looks like a small tube that’s attached to your colon on the right side of your body. For many years, the appendix was thought to serve no purpose. You would usually hear about it only if it needed to be removed. However, the appendix is now thought to serve an important purpose. One possible function is to house good bacteria that could repopulate your gut should an infection or case of diarrhea eliminate the healthy bacteria living there. Another possible function is to produce molecules that help to direct lymphocytes to various parts of the body.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection. As the inflammation gets worse, the pain can become severe. If left untreated, an abscess could form in the appendix, which would require the placement of a tube to drain the pus. Another possibility is the appendix could rupture, spreading the infection throughout the abdomen. This is called peritonitis and it could be fatal.
Appendicitis Warning signs
There are several signs that may indicate that you have appendicitis. It’s important that you don’t ignore these signs so that you can resolve the issue in time.
Signs and symptoms of appendicitis:
• Sharp pain on the right side of your abdomen
• Sudden pain that begins near the navel and moves downward into the lower-right quadrant of your abdomen
• Pain that gets worse after a cough or sudden movement
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Bloated abdomen
• Flatulence
• Fever that may worsen over time
If the pain you were experiencing quickly subsides, it may return as more severe pain. This could be a sign that your appendix has ruptured and you need to be treated right away.
How to treat Appendicitis
In most cases, the recommended treatment for appendicitis is to remove the appendix with a procedure called an appendectomy. It can be performed as an open appendectomy or a laparoscopic appendectomy.
An open appendectomy is a traditional type of surgery where the surgeon makes an incision two to four inches long, through which your appendix is removed. A laparoscopic appendectomy is less invasive. Instead of a larger incision, your surgeon makes one to three small incisions and the surgery is performed using a tool with a tiny camera and surgical tools (laparoscope).
The board-certified surgeons of Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, specialize in minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgeries such as appendectomy. Our team of surgeons proudly serve 5 East Tennessee medical centers, and have years of experience in surgically treating appendicitis.
Find out more about laparoscopic surgeries at Premier Surgical by visiting this link.
To request an appointment, please visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-an-appointment/.