The appendix is a small (3 1/2-inch-long) worm-like appendage attached to the colon. Inflammation of appendix is appendicitis.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, and bacteria invade and infect the wall and lumen of the appendix. Function of appendix is not certain. We can live without it, without apparent consequences.
Appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgery to remove the appendix. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity’s lining (the peritoneum) that can be fatal.
Incidence of appendicitis is approximately 1.4 times greater in men than in women. Incidence of appendicitis gradually rises from birth, peaks in the late teen years, and gradually declines in the geriatric years. Although rare, cases of neonatal and even prenatal appendicitis have been reported.
CAUSUES:
Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen is the primary cause of appendicitis.
Causes of luminal obstruction include fecaliths, lymphoid follicle hyperplasia, foreign bodies (eg, shotgun pellet, intrauterine device), and tumors.
Obstruction of the lumen leads to distension of the appendix due to accumulated intraluminal fluid. Ineffective lymphatic and venous drainage allows bacterial invasion of the appendiceal wall and, in advanced cases, perforation and spillage of pus into the peritoneal cavity.
Common signs and symptoms of appendicitis in adults and children are:
Abdominal Pain – Pain begins in the middle of the abdomen “belly button” (umbilicus). Pain slowly moves in the next 24 hours to the right lower abdomen (toward the right iliac fossa). Pain is worse on motion, taking deep breath, coughing and sneezing.
Loss of appetite,
Nausea and Vomiting,
Fever,
Abdominal tenderness and swelling. .
Constipation or diarrhea.
Inability to pass gas.
Signs:
On examination, doctor can elicit tenderness in the right iliac fossa. There can be rebound tenderness; it is the pain that is worse when the doctor quickly releases his or her hand after gently pressing the area of tenderness on the abdomen.Rectal examination.
May disclose tenderness in the right side of pelvis.
HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH
Homoeopathy is indicated for the treatment of chronic and recurrent appendicitis. Homoeopathy is indicated in the first day or the second day, in the early stage. The medicines help for complete recovery and strengthen the immunity. Homoeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. After a detailed study of the person which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. remedy is selected which helps to boost your immune system. Thus, preventing progression and reoccurrence of the disease.