Do you know how to tell if your appendix is inflamed? Imagine this: you're going about your day, working, exercising or spending time with your family, when all of a sudden you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen. You've been a little nauseous all day and you haven't felt hungry, so you chalk it up to eating too much at your last meal. Right? Wrong.
These are all signs that you have appendicitis, the inflammation of the appendix -- a small tube attached to the large intestine.
Appendicitis may occur when there is a blockage in the appendix caused by an infection or trapped stool. If you have appendicitis, you'll likely experience symptoms such as:
• Constipation or diarrhea;
• Feeling unable to pass gas;
• Loss of appetite;
• Low-grade fever or chills;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Sharp, sudden pain in your abdomen, the most common symptom, which will start near your navel and make its way down and to the right, getting worse over time;
• Swelling in your abdomen.
Signs of trouble
If you have appendicitis, you need emergency care. If left untreated, an inflamed appendix could rupture and put you at risk for peritonitis -- a condition that occurs when the tissue lining your abdomen becomes inflamed because of infection -- and death if the infection reaches the blood stream.
Thankfully, when treated promptly, most patients who have their appendix surgically removed go home the next day and are feeling back to their old selves within a week or two.
What's its function?
The appendix is a small, pouch-like organ that is located near your large intestine. The appendix has often been called a vestigial organ, meaning it seems to have no purpose. However, that's not entirely true. Immune system cells live in your appendix.
The so-called "good" bacteria that lives in your stomach exists to help your body digest food. Your appendix actually provides that "good" bacteria with a place to safely hide in the case of a stomach bug or diarrhea. Once your body has fought off the infection, the bacteria can return to your gut.
If you've had appendicitis and no longer have an appendix, don't worry. You can live just fine without it. If you do still have your appendix, rest easy knowing your gut bacteria are safe.
Patrick Schiefelbein, D.O., is a general surgeon at Surgical Associates of Siloam Springs. Dr. Schiefelbein performs a variety of surgical services, including laparoscopy, biopsy, colonoscopy and more. For more information, visit SAofSS.com or call 479-215-3040.
Editorial on 03/08/2017