Appendicitis: Ways to prevent this from happening to you
By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International
Appendicitis is a very common condition that we hear a lot about. For me, I hadn’t really understood what made it such a common occurrence, and was interested to see what tips I could find on how to avoid this from happening to me.
What is appendicitis?
Your appendix extends from your large intestine on the lower right side of your abdomen and has been said to produce good bacteria and keep good bacteria in your gut. It provides support to your system, especially if you were to generate an infection that killed off natural good bacteria in your body. Appendicitis happens when your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. More than 321,000 Americans are hospitalized with the condition and between 300 and 400 die each year [1]. Most commonly, the condition occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30 years old and is most commonly linked to having an obstruction or infection in your appendix itself. If this happens, your appendix can become enlarged and inflamed.
Most commonly you hear about appendicitis causing excruciating pain on the right side of the body. This pain grows more severe over a six to twelve hour period and is made even worse by moving, walking, or coughing. Other symptoms of appendicitis include:
* Nausea and vomiting
* Loss of appetite
* Low-grade fever
* Diarrhea or constipation
* Abdominal swelling
* Inability to pass gas
* Painful urination
What are some ways to reduce my risk?
At present, there are not many known ways to completely reduce your risk of developing the condition. However, those who have a diet rich in fibers both soluble and insoluble, have less cases of appendicitis. Soluble fibers include fresh fruits and vegetables, while insoluble fibers include whole grains, whole wheat breads, and certain vegetables such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini.
References
[1] Appendicitis: What it is and how to prevent this way too common killer. SixWise.com. Accessed on the web September 21, 2009. http://www.sixwise.com/Newsletters/2008/August/20/Appendicitis-What-It-Is-How-to-Prevent-It.htm
What is appendicitis?
Your appendix extends from your large intestine on the lower right side of your abdomen and has been said to produce good bacteria and keep good bacteria in your gut. It provides support to your system, especially if you were to generate an infection that killed off natural good bacteria in your body. Appendicitis happens when your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. More than 321,000 Americans are hospitalized with the condition and between 300 and 400 die each year [1]. Most commonly, the condition occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 30 years old and is most commonly linked to having an obstruction or infection in your appendix itself. If this happens, your appendix can become enlarged and inflamed.
Most commonly you hear about appendicitis causing excruciating pain on the right side of the body. This pain grows more severe over a six to twelve hour period and is made even worse by moving, walking, or coughing. Other symptoms of appendicitis include:
* Nausea and vomiting
* Loss of appetite
* Low-grade fever
* Diarrhea or constipation
* Abdominal swelling
* Inability to pass gas
* Painful urination
What are some ways to reduce my risk?
At present, there are not many known ways to completely reduce your risk of developing the condition. However, those who have a diet rich in fibers both soluble and insoluble, have less cases of appendicitis. Soluble fibers include fresh fruits and vegetables, while insoluble fibers include whole grains, whole wheat breads, and certain vegetables such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini.
References
[1] Appendicitis: What it is and how to prevent this way too common killer. SixWise.com. Accessed on the web September 21, 2009. http://www.sixwise.com/Newsletters/2008/August/20/Appendicitis-What-It-Is-How-to-Prevent-It.htm
posted by MedRounds Publications at 5:23 PM
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