Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Appendicitis

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a finger-shaped pouch that projects from your colon on the lower right side of your abdomen.

Insight:

• Appendicitis causes pain in your lower right abdomen. In most people, pain begins around the navel and then moves. As inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes severe.
• Signs and symptoms include sudden pain in the naval area that worsens with cough, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and flatulence.
• Appendicitis treatment usually involves surgery to remove the inflamed appendix, which is called an appendectomy.
• Before surgery, the patient may be given a dose of antibiotics to treat infection.
• In general, laparoscopic surgery allows patients to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. It may be better for older adults and people with obesity.
• If the appendix has burst and an abscess has formed around it, the abscess may be drained by placing a tube through the skin into the abscess.

Source:

Appendicitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic