What is Appendicitis?
The truth is, most people don’t even know what or where their appendix is until they have appendicitis — at which point, you no longer have an appendix. So what is the appendix? It’s a finger-sized pouch near your large intestine that reaches the colon to the lower right side of the abdomen. Medical professionals do not entirely understand what the appendix’s function is, which is why it is so easy to remove. Some say it’s biological redundancy or no longer needed by your body, and you can live a healthy life without one. (x) (x)
However, two Duke University Medical Center researchers have speculated that the appendix has a valuable purpose. It’s a haven for good bacteria to live until your body needs them, like when your sick with diarrhea. The newfound critical function puts a whole new perspective on the value of the tiny organ. (x)
History of Appendix
Many individuals contribute to the history of the discovery of appendix and appendicitis, with some keynote doctors and surgeons pinpointing the exact health concern. For that reason, they stand out more than others. The writings of ancient Greek physician Aretaeus the Cappadocean in 30 A.D. may be the first documented incident of appendicitis. A specialist in anatomy, Berengario de Capri, describes the appendix in 1521. French surgeon Claudius Amyand performed the first known successful appendectomy in 1735. During a public lecture in 1886, Reginald Fitz, pathologist and physician, used “appendicitis” for the first time. American surgeon Charles McBurney was the first to describe maxim tenderness of appendicitis. (x)
What Happens When You Have Appendicitis?
You may experience appendicitis, which occurs when your appendix becomes inflamed and infected. It is most common among people between the ages of 10 and 30. An inflamed appendix is grounds for removal because it causes a lot of pain, not to mention other lasting consequences. If the condition goes untreated, the pain increases as inflammation worsens, leading to more infection and possible death. (x) The solution? Appendix removal.
Surgery is typically straightforward and pain-free, much less painful than the inflamed appendix itself. (x) If left untreated, an inflamed appendix can eventually burst, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. In other cases, an abscess may form. An abscessed appendix may still perforate and rupture, so in almost all appendicitis cases, the doctor has your appendix removed. (x)
Appendicitis Symptoms
It’s essential to understand and know the symptoms of appendicitis because it could save your life and someone you know. Always check with a medical professional whenever it’s in question. Some symptoms include:
- Abdominal Pain
First and foremost, appendicitis is sudden pain on the right side of the abdomen. However, most people feel pain around the navel first until it eventually shifts to the right side, the location of your appendix in the body. It worsens over time, especially when you cough, sneeze, take a deep breath or make sudden movements. Abdominal pain is the first and most common symptom of appendicitis. It usually starts within the first 24 hours. (x) (x)
- Nausea and Vomiting
It’s no surprise when nausea and vomiting are symptoms because let’s face it, nausea and vomiting are symptoms of everything. In fact, in a study of 8,874 patients who reported nausea and vomiting, only a few cases resulted from appendicitis. (x)
Even so, it would help if you did not overlook nausea and vomiting. If you experience nausea or vomiting in addition to abdominal pain, consult a doctor immediately.
- Loss of Appetite
Even something as ordinary as a loss of appetite should be a symptom of a more severe condition, and you should not overlook it. Appetite loss is a common symptom with appendicitis, which occurs soon after the pain and leads to nausea and vomiting. (x)
- Fever
Fever occurs in approximately 40 to 60 percent of patients with appendicitis, so it is definitely a critical symptom. The fever may be mild or moderate. (x) (x)
Complications with Appendicitis
Although the appendix is easy to remove and doctors are unsure about its function — except for the recent Duke University theory mentioned earlier, appendicitis is an emergency condition. It can cause severe complications and can even be life-threatening. Without treatment, the appendix will rupture and cause peritonitis or an appendiceal abscess.
Peritonitis
This condition occurs when the infection spreads to the abdomen. It causes bloating, severe pain, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Peritonitis can be potentially life threatening, and you must undergo surgery to remove the appendix immediately. (x)
Appendiceal Abscess
An abscess is a swollen, painful pocket of pus that forms from an infection. Most of the time, a surgeon drains the pus from the abscess with a tube, but sometimes antibiotics will treat it. The worst part is, the tube has to remain in the abdomen until the doctor removes it when the infection clears. (x) (x)
Moral of the story: to avoid complications of appendicitis, get the appendix removed if you want a quick and easy recovery. Supplements may help your recovery process, as described later. But check with your healthcare provider before considering any new supplement.
Causes of Appendicitis
Typically, there is only one leading cause of appendicitis: a blockage in the appendix lining, which causes infection.
Sometimes thick mucus or stool enters the space between the appendix and the cecum and hardens until it blocks the opening. Lymphatic tissue in the appendix may also swell and block the opening. When the area becomes blocked, bacteria in the appendix multiply, causing infection. The body then responds with inflammation to fight it. (x)
Abdominal injury or trauma may trigger an inflamed appendix. Other causes are inflammatory bowel disease, growths within the appendix and an infection in the digestive tract. (x)
Appendicitis Prevention
The number one cause of abdominal pain that causes surgery is appendicitis. Although there is no way to prevent appendicitis, a high-fiber diet can help decrease the risk. Those who consume foods high in fiber, like fresh fruits and vegetables, suffer from appendicitis less often than those who don’t. (x)
Appendicitis Treatment & Supplements
Treatment
The only treatment for appendicitis is a surgery called an appendectomy to remove the inflamed appendix. Your doctor may perform an open method or laparoscopic surgery. The method uses a small incision on the right side of the abdomen to remove the appendix. Laparoscopic surgery makes more than one incision and uses a laparoscope to look at the appendix before removing it.
Recovery
Recovery time depends on the type of procedure and any other complications. The patient usually stays in the hospital for one or two days if the appendix did not rupture. They receive antibiotics, and physicians observe the patient for signs of complications. But it may take four to six weeks for a full recovery.
During recovery, in addition to prescribed pain medication, doctors may recommend the following remedies as the patient goes through the healing process: (x)
- Avoid strenuous activities. Like all surgeries, you don’t want to risk opening the incision or damaging the wound.
- Support the abdomen when laughing or coughing. The pressure helps reduce pain.
- Get up and move around as quickly, but also as slowly, as possible. As soon as you feel strong enough, move around slightly, but perform nothing too strenuous.
- Sleep is the key to any recovery, and appendicitis is no exception. Sleep when you’re tired and whenever you can.
Fiber Supplements
In a study, researchers hypothesized that a lack of fiber is an essential factor in acute appendicitis and may increase the chances of developing appendicitis. There were 31 patients with acute appendicitis and 30 in the control group without appendicitis. The appendicitis patients consumed an average of 17.4 g of fiber, while the control group consumed 21.0 g. For this reason, doctors often recommend fiber supplements to individuals who have had appendicitis. (x) A high-fiber diet does not eliminate the risk, but it lowers it.
Fiber supplements, such as psyllium husk and methylcellulose, typically treat constipation and healthy digestive functioning but can also decrease the risk of appendicitis. It absorbs water in the gut so that bowel movements can pass easier. As a dietary supplement, take psyllium husk in 5 mg doses one to three times per day.
Supplements for Recovering After Surgery
An inspiring story about recovering from surgery for appendicitis begins in the 1960 Olympic Trials. Jeff Farrell, an American top-ranking freestyle sprinter, recovered from surgery within seven days of the trials and made the Olympic team. His determination is what makes legends. (x)
Research supports taking certain supplements before and after surgery. (x) There usually is no prediction when you go into surgery with appendicitis because it’s most likely emergency surgery. Preparing your body for surgery is not possible. Therefore, consider taking some supplements to help you recover from your surgery. But, discuss it with your doctor before taking any. Some essential supplements for wound healing include: (x)
- Protein
- Systemic Enzymes
- Iron
- Glucosamine
- Zinc
- Omega-3
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
Where to Buy Supplements for Appendicitis?
You can purchase these supplements for appendicitis at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements.
BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying any of these supplements mentioned in this article as a possible solution to helping you with healing your body after appendicitis surgery? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
The Bottom Line
The appendix is a small, finger-sized organ in the abdominal cavity. It doesn’t have any vital functions, but sometimes stool or mucus backs up and clogs the space in the abdominal cavity, causing bacteria to multiply and cause infection.
Appendicitis typically affects people between the ages of 10 and 30. Signs include abdominal pain on the right side, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. Appendicitis is an emergency condition, and the patient must undergo an appendectomy to remove the inflamed organ.
If you do not receive treatment in time, the appendix can rupture and cause further infection. There is no way to prevent appendicitis, but a high-fiber diet or taking fiber supplements can reduce the risk.
Taking certain supplements after surgery can help speed up your recovery after appendicitis surgery.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.