Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix located at the first part of large intestine. It is a serious disorder. It is found in both acute and chronic forms.
Symptoms of Appendicitis
- Abdominal discomfort, indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation are the initial symptoms.
- Then there is a sudden pain in the center of the abdomen that shifts to the lower right side and mild fever,
- Nausea and vomiting 1-2 times; abdominal muscles on the right side become tense and rigid and pain worsens on coughing and sneezing.
- When inflammation continues to increase appendix may rupture and discharge pus into abdominal cavity, temperature rises and patient becomes cold and pale.Urgent operation maybe required.
- In chronic appendicitis there maybe recurrent pain in right lower abdomen accompanied by nausea, loss of appetite, constipation.
Causes of Appendicitis
- When excess of poisonous waste material accumulate in the cecum the appendix is irritated, overworked and inflamed.
- Wrong feeding habits, habitual use of drugs, enervation of the system.
- Further inflammation and infection due to the presence of intestinal germs are factors that develop appendicitis.
Treatment of Appendicitis
- When there is severe pain, fever and vomiting the patient should be put to bed immediately. Nothing except water should be given.
- Low bowel enemas should be administered for 3 days.
- Hot compresses over the painful area or abdominal packs (made by strip of wet sheet covered by dry flannel cloth) bound tightly to abdomen should be applied till symptoms reduce.
- When acute symptoms subside the patient should be given fruit juices and full enemas should be administered followed by a 3 meal all-fruit diet for 4-5 days later followed by a well-balanced diet.
- In case of chronic appendix a short fast should be followed by a milk diet for 2-3 weeks wherein a glass of milk should be taken every 2 hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The intake of milk should be gradually and slowly increased over the period, to 1 glass every 1/2 hr. After this the patient should embark to a well balanced diet. Carrot juices in combination with cucumber and beet juices and tea prepared from fenugreek seeds is beneficial.
- Application of abdominal packs and hot fomentation every morning and night and eradication of constipation are also helpful.
- Related Topics
- Natural Cure for Appendicitis | Causes, Symptoms of Appendicitis
- Types of Appendicitis | Where is the Appendix | Acute Appendicitis
- Symptoms of Acute Appendicitis | Acute Appendicitis Diagnosis
- Appendicitis And Pregnancy: Appendicitis In Pregnancy Symptoms
- Where Is Appendix Located: Location Of Appendicitis Pain In Body
