What is Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a medical condition where the appendix is inflamed. The appendix is a 3 and a half-inch-long tissue that is shaped like a tube and it extends from the large intestine. A study hints that the appendix plays some role in the immunity of the gut, but nothing is certain. However, we do know for sure: We can live without an appendix, without plausible consequences!

Appendicitis requires quick surgery to cut and remove the appendix. If it is left untreated, an inflamed and swollen appendix will burst and spill the infectious content into the abdominal cavity. And this will lead to peritonitis. Peritonitis is a severe inflammation of the lining in abdominal cavity. It can be life taking unless treated promptly with strong antibiotics. Appendicitis is very common between ages ten and thirty and very rare below the age of two.

What is Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a medical condition where the appendix is inflamed. The appendix is a 3 and a half-inch-long tissue that is shaped like a tube and it extends from the large intestine. A study hints that the appendix plays some role in the immunity of the gut, but nothing is certain. However, we do know for sure: We can live without an appendix, without plausible consequences!

Appendicitis requires quick surgery to cut and remove the appendix. If it is left untreated, an inflamed and swollen appendix will burst and spill the infectious content into the abdominal cavity. And this will lead to peritonitis. Peritonitis is a severe inflammation of the lining in abdominal cavity. It can be life taking unless treated promptly with strong antibiotics. Appendicitis is very common between ages ten and thirty and very rare below the age of two.

Appendicitis Symptoms

Severe pain in the abdomen is the most common symptom of appendicitis.

If a person has appendicitis, they will most often feel the pain in their abdomen that starts near the belly button and moves lower to their right. The pain grows worse in a matter of hours. The pain further gets severe when a person moves around, takes a deep breath, coughs, or sneezes.

Other symptoms of appendicitis may include:

Appetite loss
Vomiting
Nausea
A low-grade fever
Constipation or diarrhea
Swelling in your abdomen

Appendicitis Diagnosis

Generally, health care practitioners and professionals primarily speculate on the analysis of appendicitis based on the symptoms, the patient's medical history, along with a thorough physical exam. A doctor can further establish the examination with an ultrasound procedure, x-ray, or at times with the MRI test.

Doctors and health professionals require precise details regarding the pain in the patient's abdomen to affirm the presence of appendicitis accurately. A doctor will evaluate the pain by feeling or applying tension and pressure to a few particular areas of the belly.

At times, diagnosing appendicitis can be a bit tricky. Appendicitis symptoms are usually vague and remarkably related to other illnesses, including gallbladder obstacles, bladder, and UTI i.e. urinary tract infection, along with many others.

Tests that are typically used to make the analysis are:

Abdominal exam: To detect soreness, swelling, and infection
CT scans and ultrasound
A Blood test

Appendicitis Treatment and Cost in India

Appendicitis treatment generally requires an operation to extract the infected appendix. Before the procedure, the patient may be administered a dose of antibiotics to tackle the infection.

An operation to extract the appendix: Appendectomy

Appendectomy is operated as open surgery. It requires one abdominal incision of around two to four inches approx. Five to ten centimeters long. This is also called as laparotomy. The other way of conducting the surgery is laparoscopic surgery, where a few little abdominal incisions are made. During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the operator inserts specialized remedial tools and a video camera into the abdomen to carefully and accurately carry out the appendix removal.

Generally, the laparoscopic operation allows the patient to recuperate quicker and heal with a smaller amount of pain and scarring. This type of surgery may be beneficial for aged adults and people diagnosed with obesity.

However, laparoscopic surgery isn't suitable for everyone. If the appendix of the patient has burst and infection has flowed past the appendix, or the patient has an ulcer, they may need an open appendectomy, which allows the health professional to clean the abdominal cavity.

It is recommended for the patient of appendectomy to spend over two days in the hospital. The average cost of operation in India is above INR Rs. 40,000/-.

Health Insurance in India

The sheer growth in pharmaceutical care cost has compelled many to deny themselves of quality healthcare. Health Insurance policies comprehensively shield the insured from the whole spectrum of medical ailments and diseases by making therapy affordable and also enabling them to gain tax benefits.

These points are important while considering a health insurance policy:

Always take the opinion of a doctor. Let their expertise help in picking between a multitude of insurance policies and their coverage schemes.
The ratio of claim settlement and time is one of the most important aspects while buying a health insurance plan.
Check out how the insurance policy is covering the pre and post hospitalization costs.
Make sure to check the number of hospitals associated with the insurance policy.