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- What is appendicitis?
- Symptoms of appendicitis
- Causes of appendicitis
- Prevention of appendicitis
- Risk factors for appendicitis
- Complications of appendicitis
- When to see a doctor about appendicitis
- Diagnosis of appendicitis
- Conventional treatment of appendicitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of appendicitis
- Living with appendicitis
- Caring for someone with appendicitis
Appendicitis has such similar symptoms to other conditions affecting the abdominal organs, it can be a challenge to diagnose it.
To confirm appendicitis (or rule it out), the doctor will perform the following initial tests:
- Medical history - the doctor will ask some questions about the onset of symptoms, the type of symptoms and where the pain emanates from in the stomach area
- Physical examination - the doctor will examine the abdomen for pain and tenderness, particularly from where the pains originate
- Observation - if the symptoms are not too severe (or they dissipate), the doctor may recommend observation to determine if the pain returns or improves
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In addition to the initial tests, the following tests can also be performed:
- Blood test - a blood test can determine if there is an infection in the body, which can be identified if the white blood cell numbers are elevated
- Urine test - this is a simple test to help rule out conditions such as a bladder and kidney infections or urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can present with the same symptoms
- CT scan - this is sometimes performed to have a closer look at the appendix, to see if it is inflamed and swollen, which is an indication of infection (but this is not usually performed in an emergency situation where surgery is the only option after examination)
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< 7: when to see a doctor 9: conventional treatment > Last reviewed: 2 October 2009 || Last updated: 3 October 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
