During this exam, they will visually inspect your vagina, vulva, and cervix. They will also manually inspect your uterus and ovaries. They may collect a sample of tissue for testing. To check for inflammation of your appendix, your doctor might order imaging tests of your abdomen. This can also help them identify other potential causes of your symptoms, such as an abdominal abscess or fecal impaction.
In some cases, you might need to stop eating food for a period of time before your test. Your doctor can help you learn how to prepare for it. Pneumonia in the lower right lobe of your lungs can also cause symptoms similar to appendicitis.
If your doctor thinks you might have pneumonia, they will likely order a chest X-ray. They may also order a CT scan to create detailed images of your lungs. If your doctor suspects you might have appendicitis, they may order an abdominal ultrasound.
This imaging test can help them check for signs of inflammation, an abscess, or other problems with your appendix. Your doctor may order other imaging tests as well. For example, they may order a CT scan. An ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create pictures of your organs, while a CT scan uses radiation. Compared to an ultrasound, a CT scan creates more detailed images of your organs.
However, there are some health risks associated with radiation exposure from a CT scan. Your doctor can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of different imaging test. In rare cases, appendicitis may get better without surgery.
But in most cases, you will need surgery to remove your appendix. This is known as an appendectomy. To start, they will give you antibiotics. Then they will use a needle to drain the abscess of pus.
To treat appendicitis, your doctor may use a type of surgery known as appendectomy. During this procedure, they will remove your appendix. If your appendix has burst, they will also clean out your abdominal cavity. In some cases, your doctor may use laparoscopy to perform minimally invasive surgery. In other cases, they may have to use open surgery to remove your appendix.
Like any surgery, there are some risks associated with appendectomy. However, the risks of appendectomy are smaller than the risks of untreated appendicitis. Find out more about the potential risks and benefits of this surgery. Acute appendicitis is a severe and sudden case of appendicitis.
The symptoms tend to develop quickly over the course of one to two days. It requires immediate medical treatment. If left untreated, it can cause your appendix to rupture. This can be a serious and even fatal complication. Acute appendicitis is more common than chronic appendicitis. Learn more about the similarities and differences between these conditions.
Chronic appendicitis is less common than acute appendicitis. In chronic cases of appendicitis, the symptoms may be relatively mild. They may disappear before reappearing again over a period of weeks, months, or even years.
This type of appendicitis can be challenging to diagnose. Chronic appendicitis can be dangerous. Get the information you need to recognize and treat this condition. An estimated 70, children experience appendicitis every year in the United States. In children and teenagers, appendicitis often causes a stomachache near the navel. If your child develops symptoms of appendicitis, contact their doctor right away. If you have laparoscopic surgery to remove your appendix, you may be discharged from the hospital a few hours after you finish surgery or the next day.
If you have open surgery, you will likely need to spend more time in the hospital to recover afterward. Open surgery is more invasive than laparoscopic surgery and typically requires more follow-up care. Before you leave the hospital, your healthcare provider can help you learn how to care for your incision sites. They may prescribe antibiotics or pain relievers to support your recovery process.
They may also advise you to adjust your diet, avoid strenuous activity, or make other changes to your daily habits while you heal. It may take several weeks for you to fully recover from appendicitis and surgery. If you develop complications, your recovery may take longer. Learn about some of the strategies you can use to promote a full recovery. Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric emergency requiring surgery during pregnancy.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Appendicitis Open pop-up dialog box Close. Appendicitis The appendix is a narrow, finger-shaped pouch that projects out from the colon.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Appendicitis. Accessed May 4, Appendectomy: Surgical removal of the appendix. American College of Surgeons. Martin RF. Acute appendicitis in adults: Clinical manifestations and differential diagnosis. Smink D, et al. Parents can easily mistake appendicitis for a stomach bug or urinary tract infection UTI. A ruptured appendix can be dangerous for anyone, but the risk of death is highest in infants and toddlers.
Many appendicitis symptoms are similar to the discomforts of pregnancy. These include stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting. However, pregnant women may not always have the classic symptoms of appendicitis, especially late in pregnancy. The growing uterus pushes the appendix higher during pregnancy.
This means pain may occur in the upper abdomen instead of the lower right side of the abdomen. Pregnant women with appendicitis are also more likely to experience heartburn , gas, or alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea.
These may include:. The medications will help prevent an infection from developing after surgery. Your surgeon will then perform surgery to remove your appendix.
This is called an appendectomy. Your surgeon may perform an open appendectomy or a laparoscopic appendectomy. This depends on the severity of your appendicitis. During an open appendectomy, your surgeon makes one incision in the lower right side of your abdomen. They remove your appendix and close the wound with stitches. This procedure allows your doctor to clean the abdominal cavity if your appendix has burst or if you have an abscess. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, your surgeon will make a few small incisions in your abdomen.
A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a light and camera at the front. The camera will display the images on a screen, allowing your doctor to see inside your abdomen and guide the instruments. If you developed an abscess or if a complication occurs, your doctor may want you to stay on antibiotics for another day or two. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , in the United States, appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain that leads to surgery.
About 5 percent of Americans experience appendicitis at some point in their lives. Appendicitis can happen at any time, but it most often occurs between the ages of 10 and Appendicitis seems less likely if you have a diet rich in fiber. You can increase your fiber intake by eating a healthy diet that contains lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Foods that are particularly high in fiber include:. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can prevent constipation and subsequent stool buildup.
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