APPENDICITIS:
Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix. The appendix is a small, thin pouch about 5-10cm (2-4 inches) long. It's connected to the large intestine, where stools (faeces) are formed.
Nobody knows exactly why we have an appendix, but removing it isn't harmful.
Appendicitis typically starts with a pain in the middle of your tummy (abdomen) that may come and go.
Within hours, the pain travels to the lower right-hand side, where the appendix usually lies, and becomes constant and severe.
Pressing on this area, coughing, or walking may all make the pain worse. You may lose your appetite, feel sick, and occasionally experience diarrhoea.
SYMPTOMS IN TEENS
Are the symptoms of appendicitis the same in teens?
Although the symptoms of appendicitis are the same for adolescents as they are for adults, they may begin differently. In adolescents, appendicitis can begin as a vague stomachache near the navel. This pain may progress to the lower right side of the abdomen.
After this pain has appeared, you may:
develop a fever
lose their appetite
feel nauseous
vomit
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, see your doctor.
APPENDICITIS TREATMENT
Appendectomy: Surgery is the only treatment for appendicitis. The doctor may use the traditional technique (one large cut) or laparoscopy (several small cuts and using a camera to see inside). Surgery is also needed to remove tumors of the appendix. If the tumor is large, it may require more aggressive surgery with removal of part of the colon.
Antibiotics: While the diagnosis is in question, antibiotics treat any potential infection that might be causing the symptoms. In general, antibiotics alone cannot effectively treat appendicitis.