Appendicitis is not generally found in elderly people. Between the age group of three to fifteen, children develop appendicitis. Teenager's appendicitis generally surfaces from the late teens to early twenties. Statistics have shown that about 6 to 7 percent of the people living in the United States of America and Europe are affected by this. The symptoms of appendicitis are a cramp pain that shoots around the navel area. Sometimes a total or partial loss of appetite is also accompanied. As the swelling on the appendix increases, the pain starts shifting to the lower right side of the abdomen. This area medically termed the Right Lower Quadrant would be extremely tender when pressed. Although not a common symptom, some develop constipation due to appendicitis and any sort of a laxative will prove fatal for the patient as it may burst.
A good physician will understand from the symptoms and may go for a physical examination. Teenager's appendicitis can be diagnosed by blood tests, radiological examinations (like the Ultrasound or CT scan). Once the appendix swells and causes the pain it become inevitable that the appendix has to be removed. This is generally done by a surgery in the lower abdominal area or portion. Once decided to be operated upon, the doctor recommends various other tests and consults the patient’s medical history to look for allergies if any towards certain drugs. In pediatric cases the doctors generally suggest that the children be operated upon immediately. An appendix once swollen tends to get perforated which is a very serious and life taking situation and hence in case of teen appendicitis or in pediatric cases it is always safe to be operated even if is not very inflamed.
As such the appendectomy, as this operation is referred to in medical terms, is a very simple one. A normal appendix removal operation on an acute and swollen appendix is a trivial matter. The patient gets to go home in a couple of days after the operation. Teen appendicitis or pediatric cases where the appendix is perforated, the post operation period will require intake of prescribed antibiotics to avoid any sort of infection. Sometimes they are administered to intravenous antibiotic for quick recovery and healing. As such, in these cases, the patient needs to be at the hospital for some more time.
Teenager's appendicitis is very concerning thing. Improper diet, long working hours, junk food, etc reflect upon our health. In our modern world, many teenagers in their busy schedule do not attach much importance to the appendix pain until it becomes really serious and unbearable. More awareness has to come in them so that such situations are given medical attention at the right time. The doctors can also counsel them as to how they can resume their normal lives even after the operation.
The exact reason for the appendix inflammation is not known. However, doctors opine that a diet rich in fibers can to a great extent reduce the chances of getting teenager's appendicitis. Proper diet improves the chance of healthy living and health is the real wealth.