Signs You May Need Your Appendix Removed

Your trusted gastroenterologist can provide you with the care you need as soon as you start to experience the symptoms of appendicitis. Keep reading to learn how to detect signs and get help before matters worsen.

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix starts to suddenly inflame and become infected. It usually happens because of a blockage in the digestive system, but it can occur for other reasons as well. The appendix becomes suddenly swollen as bacteria multiplies quickly inside of it. In order to save your appendix from bursting, and to save your life, you must go to the hospital and get it removed right away.

The procedure to remove your appendix is fairly straightforward, but it does require surgery and anesthesia. You will make a full recovery after your appendix is removed, and you should not have any adverse side effects, as it is possible to live a healthy life without your appendix.

Signs of Appendicitis

While appendicitis is not inevitable for everyone, a great majority of people still suffer from this sudden condition. It is common enough that you should be fully aware of the warning signs before you find yourself in an emergency situation. This condition can happen at any time, typically affecting 1 in 20 people between the ages of 10 and 40.

Some of the initial signs that you need your appendix removed can include:

• Sudden nausea that continues to get worse
• Vomiting and retching as a result of nausea
• Throbbing, stabbing, or repeated pain in the stomach
• Fever, chills, and clammy skin
• Constipation, diarrhea, or trouble going to the bathroom
• Lack of appetite and fatigue

Many people experience all of the symptoms at once, though it is also possible to notice just one or two of these oncoming symptoms. If you are starting to feel uncomfortable and cannot identify the source fo yoru sudden nausea or pain, you should play it safe and visit an emergency doctor right away.

How to Prevent Appendicitis

Since the condition comes on so abruptly, it can be nearly impossible to stop appendicitis from happening. However, there are several steps that you can take to keep your intestinal tract healthy and free of infection. You can reduce the risk of getting appendicitis by practicing healthy eating, making sure to incorporate a lot of green vegetables and high-fiber foods while getting rid of unhealthy sugars on a daily basis.

Appendix issues are almost always related to problems with the digestive system. As soon as your appendix gets infected, it will start to swell. The swelling will continue to grow until you are in excruciating pain, and it might burst if it is not removed in a timely manner. A burst appendix can push the infection into your bloodstream, which has fatal repercussions.

Keep Your Appendix Healthy and Avoid Danger with Regular Check-Ins

Some folks are more at risk for appendicitis than others, and the best way to stay on top of your health needs is to schedule regular appointments with your local appendicitis specialist. Dr. Tabib offers a number of innovative treatments to keep your appendix and digestive tract healthy while remaining on the lookout for any signs of appendicitis. Keep your health in good hands by scheduling regular check-ins with us starting today.

The post Signs You May Need Your Appendix Removed appeared first on Siamak Tabib, MD.

Causes of a Ruptured Appendix

A ruptured appendix is caused by appendicitis. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. Appendicitis occurs when the opening of the appendix that transitions into the large intestine is blocked. The blockage leads to the buildup of bacteria which can cause a serious infection. The cause of the blockage can be due to a growth or tumor in the appendix, bacteria, viruses, parasites, stool buildup, or even a foreign object. Inflammatory bowel disease is also another possible cause of appendicitis. While the exact cause of appendicitis is not completely understood, there are a number of factors that can place you at a higher risk for the condition.

Risk Factors for Appendicitis

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk for appendicitis.

• Age: While people of all ages can get appendicitis, it is most common in children and young adults. In fact, those between 10 and 30 years old are at the highest risk for the condition.
• Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for appendicitis as it can cause changes in your abdominal cavity that can impact your appendix.
• Genetics: Similar to many medical conditions, a family history of appendicitis can increase your risk for the condition. Talk with your close family about their medical history to see how many people in your family have been impacted by the medical condition.
• Diet: People with unhealthy diets that are low in fiber and high in processed foods can be problematic for a variety of health reasons, including the risk for appendicitis.
• History of UTIs: Urinary tract infections (“UTIs’) increase your risk for the condition as they can cause inflammation in the pelvic area. This can easily spread to your appendix which can cause an infection that can lead to appendicitis.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis: An inflammatory bowel disease (“IBD”) diagnosis can increase inflammation in your abdomen. This can weaken the walls of your appendix and potentially lead to an infection and appendicitis.

Symptoms of Appendicitis

Delaying treatment is the biggest risk factor when it comes to a ruptured appendix. Waiting to get medical attention can increase the risk of rupture. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact a medical professional right away.

• Abdominal pain that ultimately settles in your lower right abdomen
• Abdominal pain that increases when you move
• Tenderness when you put pressure on your abdomen
• An inability to pass gas
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Bloated or swollen abdomen
• Constipation or diarrhea

While these are common symptoms, many patients have unusual symptoms. It’s important to look out for anything out of the ordinary especially if it is a young child or older person that is not feeling well. In babies and young children, abdominal pain can impact their entire stomach. They often also experience a loss of appetite and a fever. However, older people often have pain that is less severe and don’t experience as much tenderness. The most important thing is to seek medical attention for an appendicitis specialist in Los Angeles right away.

Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles

If you experience any of the symptoms related to appendicitis, seek treatment from a gastroenterologist in Los Angeles right away. They can quickly diagnose your appendicitis and provide effective treatment to keep you in good health. Prompt treatment is necessary to avoid the serious health risks associated with the condition.

The post Causes of a Ruptured Appendix appeared first on Siamak Tabib, MD.

Gastroenterologist and specialist Dr. Tabib understands how painful and dangerous the inflammation of the appendix is, and recommends seeking emergency treatment right away. Since the inflammation happens so suddenly, it can be hard to detect some of the early signs, but the information below will give you some of the biggest warning signs to look out for.

More About Appendicitis

More specifically, appendicitis is described as the sudden inflammation and infection of the appendix due to a blockage. Blockages can come from a buildup of mucus or fecal matter, which is usually the case. Because of this, bacteria starts to grow really fast within the appendix, causing it to become swollen. Ultimately, this leads to appendicitis, and the only way to save your life is to have your appendix removed right away.

Thankfully, you can live just fine without your appendix. In fact, it’s pretty much vestigial, meaning that modern humans have no real use for the appendix. It is not a necessary or vital organ in any way, and it is ultimately good when it gets removed.

Biggest Symptoms of Appendicitis

A WebMD study states that 1 in 20 Americans will get appendicitis at one point or another. It is also apparent that appendicitis can occur at any age, although it typically affects people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Since it is such a quick and urgent event, it’s imperative that you look out for the warning signs. Knowing the symptoms as early as possible can save your life. It’s important to look out for these symptoms:

• Recurring pain in the abdomen
• Nausea and possible vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Lack of appetite
• Small fever

You may experience one or more of the symptoms, or possibly all of them. Everybody experiences these symptoms differently, so it’s important to be as open and communicative as possible with your doctor about how you are feeling.

Assessing Your Abdominal Pain

There are many different types of abdominal pain that may accompany the early onset of appendicitis. Appendicitis pain is usually dull or aching, and it can occur all throughout the abdomen – although the more intense pain is located in the bottom-right area.

The more swollen your appendix becomes, the sharper and more severe the pain will be. If your pain turns from dull to sharp, and if it is especially located in the lower right area of your abdomen, this is a clear sign that you have appendicitis.

If you have overall digestive problems paired with a fever, you need to visit the emergency room as quickly as possible. You must get the appendix removed before it bursts or causes the infection to spread to your bloodstream.

Preventing Appendicitis

Appendicitis can happen to anyone, but there are ways to keep your digestive tract healthy and in tip-top shape to significantly reduce your risk of contracting this condition.

It might be time to assess your diet. Add green, leafy vegetables and raw fruits to your meals to keep your health on track. You also want to eat foods that are high in fiber to help keep your digestive tract clean and regular.

Please get in touch with a medical professional if you or someone you know is showing the signs of appendicitis. This trip to the emergency room could save your life!

Stay on Top of Your Digestive Health with Personalized Care!

Dr. Tabib is a leading specialist in gastroenterology, helping patients improve the health of their digestive system and inspiring better eating habits. If you are showing the signs of appendicitis, or you have concerns about your general abdominal pain, you can schedule a consultation with us right away. Contact us online, or give us a call at (310) 683-4911 to schedule an appointment.

The post What are the Early Signs of Appendicitis? appeared first on Siamak Tabib, MD.