Appendicitis and Its Relief Methods

Appendicitis is a disease that can suddenly erupt, causing intolerable abdominal pain in patients. This situation requires prompt and effective measures to alleviate the pain. Most patients seek medical attention and are generally advised to undergo surgical treatment, which is a thorough solution to the pain. However, some patients may request medication due to fear of surgery. Medication can only relieve the pain temporarily, and it cannot cure the condition, and there is a risk of recurrence. Therefore, it is recommended to choose effective methods. Let's take a look at how to relieve sudden appendicitis pain, and it is important to avoid taking pain medication blindly.

Antibiotic Treatment for Acute Appendicitis

Antibiotics can be used for anti-infective treatment in acute appendicitis. When the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is clear and surgical indication exists, non-surgical treatment can be considered first to postpone surgery if the patient's overall condition or objective conditions do not permit immediate surgery. If acute appendicitis has already progressed to localized peritonitis and formed an inflammatory mass, non-surgical treatment should also be adopted to allow the inflammatory mass to absorb before considering elective appendectomy. The patient should rest in bed, fast, and receive intravenous infusions of water, electrolytes, and calories. In principle, acute appendicitis should be surgically treated with appendectomy except for mucosal edema type which can be conservatively cured.

Surgical Treatment for Chronic Appendicitis

Surgical treatment is the only effective method for chronic appendicitis, but special caution should be exercised when deciding to perform appendectomy. Once chronic appendicitis is diagnosed, surgical treatment is the principle of treatment, especially for patients with a history of acute attacks, who should undergo surgery promptly. Appendicitis patients should learn to adjust their mood, avoid excessive psychological stress, and postoperative care is also crucial.

Postoperative Care for Appendicitis

1. Rest and Diet: After appendicitis surgery, patients should rest well and avoid eating for six hours. Liquid foods such as soft noodles or millet porridge should be chosen as they are easy to digest and absorb without causing burden to the gastrointestinal tract. This type of diet can provide energy for the body and aid in postoperative recovery. A semi-reclining position is recommended after surgery to facilitate wound healing.

2. Postoperative Activity: Patients should get up and move around 24 hours after appendicitis surgery to promote gastrointestinal motility and recovery of bowel function, which can prevent the occurrence of bowel adhesion. Appropriate activity based on the patient's physical condition can promote local blood circulation, aid in wound healing, and effectively prevent bowel adhesion. It is also important to disinfect the wound area to avoid infection.

3. Dietary Considerations: Patients should stay warm, develop good eating habits, eat small meals frequently, choose light and easily digestible foods, chew food thoroughly, avoid overeating and spicy foods, refrain from eating preserved foods, control salt and sugar intake, and avoid sweets as they may affect the patient's condition.

We should all be vigilant about appendicitis and not underestimate any illness, even if it seems minor. If you have symptoms of appendicitis, do not hesitate to seek treatment at a reputable hospital to avoid serious complications.