Watching your child deal with excruciating pain and not knowing the reason is a known way for parents to have panic attacks. When your child has a stomachache or a headache, it’s almost an instinct to call the doctor. Sometimes however, an illness or condition leaves parents helpless. The first step towards fighting a condition that you can’t manage for your child is to understand it. Conditions like appendicitis are extremely painful for children and can lead to more severe repercussions if left untreated. In fact, if left untreated for too long, appendicitis can become life threatening.
Appendicitis is a condition that is caused because the appendix which is located in the lower abdomen has become inflamed or filled with pus. An enlarged appendix that leads to lower abdominal swelling is one of the most painful conditions a young child can face during their development. Appendicitis can afflict anyone between the ages of ten to thirty. According to most pediatric specialists appendix pain in children is more common than appendix pain in adults.
This condition is not at all contagious and if caught early can be treated without problems. Sometimes doctors will recommend surgery to remove the appendix in children; there is no need to worry. This procedure is extremely low risk.
In cases where the appendix is infected, it has been known to explode causing the spread of harmful bacteria that may spread the already existing bacterial infection or cause an abscess.
Once appendicitis has a positive diagnosis however, consult a doctor on treatment options immediately. This condition can deteriorate quickly and may lead to possible fatal outcomes.
Appendicitis is a common condition that affects a lot of children on a regular basis; it is also something that can affect adults. Understanding who is most at risk can help you identify if a loved one may be affected and the breakdown of age groups most at risk are:
This condition occurs due to the appendix getting inflamed, swollen or infected. This can happen because the organ itself is exposed to and interacts with stool, parasites and mucus. This causes a drastic dilution or blockage of blood supply to the organ itself leading the organ to lose nourishment and eventually die. Every organ requires blood supply as a source of nourishment, the appendix is the same. The lack of blood penetrating this wall of infections and impurities causes an increase in pressure from the organ itself, leading for it to start tearing and creating holes this is called an appendix rupture. This rupture results in the leaking of the appendix into the abdominal cavity, leading to possible abscesses.
Predominantly, there are two reasons why children develop appendicitis. They are:
There are many signs and symptoms that indicate appendicitis in your child. Knowing these signs will help you be prepared in case of any issue with your child’s appendix.
There are certain risk factors that are unavoidable. These are because they are not in your control. Neither you nor your doctor can deny these factors. These include:
One of the risk factors for appendicitis that you can control is having a low fiber diet. This diet particularly causes constipation. Some of the hardened stool can get itself lodged in the appendix and can cause swelling. You can avoid this situation by having a diet that is rich in fiber.
Diagnosing appendicitis in children can be hard as it exhibits various symptoms that are not exclusive to this condition. A full medical history plus an initial physical exam will help your doctor with the diagnosis. If he does suspect appendicitis, he will ask for more tests.
The treatment for your child’s appendicitis is based on a lot of factors. These include:
Since the nature of appendicitis is in itself considered an emergency and one that could lead to serious complications, the best option to treat appendicitis is through surgery where the appendix will be removed. Do not worry; since the appendix is a vestigial organ, it has no particular function.
The appendix will be removed surgically. This is usually done in one of two methods.
Post-surgery, your child will not be allowed to eat or drink any fluids as her intestines recover. Her nutrition will be taken care of with intravenous (IV) fluids through which medication will also be administered. If her appendix had ruptured, then she will have to stay longer in the hospital longer than if it hadn’t. In either case, your child will have to continue taking antibiotics even after she is discharged for a certain period of time.
After discharge, your child must not play any contact sports or lift heavy objects. Some of the pain medications prescribed can cause constipation. Talk to your doctor about this and try to find a solution for the same. Light movements after the surgery instead of staying still will help reduce the occurrence of constipation. Once your child can eat solid foods again, she must have a fiber rich diet and drink plenty of water and soups.
Ruptured appendix in a child can seem very frightening. It is caused when the wall of the appendix weakens enough to rupture due to the fluid buildup inside it. When it ruptures, there will be a temporary abatement in the pain. A ruptured appendix could cause many other issues. Abscess formation is quite common. Scar tissue will soon start to develop around the abscess to ward it from further infections.
There is no sure way of preventing appendicitis in children or adults. However, medical experts are of the opinion that persons who have a high fiber diet seem to suffer less from appendicitis. This is because such a diet reduces the chances of hard stools causing any issue with the intestines.
There are many home remedies that will help ease the pain and discomfort of your child.
Mint is known for relieving pain. Mix a couple of drops of mint essential oil in water and ask your child to drink up.
Childhood appendicitis is extremely treatable but can be serious. You should rush your child to the doctor if none of the symptoms seem to be abating. If your child is in severe pain, then seek immediate medical assistance. A ruptured appendix causes more complications and is harder to recover from. Reaching your doctor early enough is a key to a quick recovery.
Conclusion: Appendicitis can be an exhausting and excruciating experience for everyone involved, follow your doctor’s instructions, and treat the condition fully and at an early stage to help your child live a long healthy life. Do not medicate your child without your doctor’s knowledge or prescription. For the treatment to be completely effective ensure you fully disclose all information about your child’s medical history to your doctors.