Appendicitis

Appendix is situated where the big and small intestines converge. It is a finger-sized tiny tube. The purpose of the existence of the appendix is not clear yet, but if it becomes infected or inflamed, you will need emergency medical attention. The inflammation or infection of the appendix is called appendicitis.

An infected or inflamed appendix can cause severe pain, but it may come and go. In the worst case, it could rupture and result in immediate, excruciating pain. Bacteria can enter the abdominal wall through a burst appendix and cause Peritonitis — a dangerous, occasionally fatal bacterial infection.

When it comes to the types of appendicitis, there are two basic types. These are acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis.

• Acute Appendicitis- An aggressive and sudden bout of appendicitis is referred to as acute appendicitis. Generally, people between the ages of 10 and 30 are more susceptible to appendicitis, and it is believed that it affects men more often than women. You may notice a constant pain that starts mild and then builds up over a day. Acute appendicitis needs emergency medical attention as it can result in the rupture of your appendix if ignored. This condition can potentially be lethal if appendicitis treatment is not received in time.

• Chronic Appendicitis- There are fewer recorded incidents of chronic appendicitis than acute appendicitis. The signs of chronic appendicitis might be somewhat moderate and are generally assumed to follow an episode of acute appendicitis. Over days, weeks, or even years, symptoms may diminish and then come back. Diagnosing this kind of appendicitis might be difficult, and occasionally, it doesn't get diagnosed until it turns into acute appendicitis. This is what makes chronic appendicitis more dangerous than acute appendicitis.

Now that you have an idea about the different types of appendicitis let us look into what causes appendicitis.

Appendicitis is most likely caused by an infection brought on by an obstruction in the appendix's wall. The germs grow quickly, inflaming, swelling, and filling the appendix with pus. The appendix may rupture if it is not immediately treated.

Some other causes of appendicitis include:

• An injury or trauma to the stomach area

• Infection in your digestive system

• Any abnormal growths inside the appendix

• Blocks where your appendix is supposed to meet your intestine

• Inflammation of the bowel

• Worms in the intestine

• Tumours or cancers

• Severe constipation

Some risk factors when it comes to appendicitis include:

• A family history of appendicitis. If someone in your immediate family has had appendicitis, you may also have appendicitis, though it may not always be the case.

• Younger people are more likely to suffer a ruptured appendix than older people; however, this is not to say that older people cannot suffer a ruptured appendix

• Males are more susceptible to appendicitis than females

As with any disease, catching the appendicitis symptoms in time can save you a world of trouble. It is easier to treat a case of appendicitis before the appendix is about to rupture. Thus, the patient needs to keep an eye on their vitals and their symptoms. If you notice you are having any of the symptoms we will be mentioning, you must rush to the doctor at once. It is important that you know to distinguish between the symptoms of appendicitis and chronic stomach pain to save yourself from unnecessary worry.

The appendicitis symptoms you need to keep an eye out for are;

• Pain in the right lower end of your stomach

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Swelling of the stomach

• Pain around the navel that flares suddenly but is quite strong

• Bloating of the stomach

• Low-grade fever

• Severe constipation

• Passing excessive gas

However, if your condition worsens, you might see symptoms including,

• Pain in your stomach accompanied by vomiting

• Severe constipation and vomiting with a feeling of bloatedness

• Trouble urinating

• Severe cramps

Keep an eye out for which place your stomach hurts. If you are experiencing pain in the lower right side of your stomach, you must go to the doctor promptly.

In general, medical experts and surgeons base their opinions about the diagnosis of appendicitis mostly on the symptoms, the patient's clinical history, and a comprehensive physical examination. For medical professionals to effectively confirm the existence of appendicitis in a patient, they must have specific information about the patient's abdominal discomfort. A doctor will most generally go about doing this by applying pressure at different points of your stomach and asking you to describe the pain.

It can occasionally be challenging to diagnose appendicitis. The signs of appendicitis are frequently ambiguous and strikingly similar to those of other conditions, such as urinary tract infections, gallbladder obstructions, and bladder problems.

Some tests your doctor may ask you to undergo to confirm your diagnosis can include;

• A CT scan

• MRI scan to get a closer look at the organ

• Ultrasonography

• Blood test to see if you have any infections

• Urine test to rule out urinary infections or kidney stones

• X-Ray of the lungs to check if the problem you are having is stemming from your lungs

The majority of appendicitis patients require an operation called an appendectomy. The damaged appendix is removed in this surgery. Appendicitis surgery stops the appendix from rupturing if it hasn't already, as well as the spread of infection.

You get intravenous (IV) antibiotics before surgery to control infection. Antibiotics can treat some minor appendicitis cases. Your doctor will regularly monitor your symptoms to decide if you require surgery. If the appendix bursts, an operation is the only option to treat the disease.

The majority of appendectomies are performed laparoscopically if you require surgery. Small incisions are made to perform laparoscopic surgeries using a scope. Laparoscopies are preferred because they come with less pain and little intrusiveness, allowing you to heal more quickly. However, you might need extensive abdominal surgery (laparotomy) if the appendix bursts.

Before you can go for your surgery, your doctor will ask you to make certain changes to your diet and lifestyle. You will be asked to live with some limitations to stop the infection's spread or prevent the appendix from rupturing. In such cases, your appendicitis treatment will also include;

• Eating very light food

• Avoiding stresses of any kind

• Keeping calm

• Staying on bed rest as far as possible

• Increasing your intake of fluids

• Going on regular walks

• Increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables

Even though appendicitis is a very common disease all around the world, studies have still not been able to determine the trigger and even the function of the organ. However, we know that if a diseased appendix is not treated in time, trouble ensues. A malfunctioning appendix may erupt if not managed correctly, and an infection brought on by a ruptured appendix can result in life-threatening conditions and even death. Some complications associated with the disease are;

• Abscess: You might get an infected pus pouch or an appendicular abscess. Your abdomen will receive drainage tubes from your healthcare professional. Before surgery, these tubes drain the abscess of fluid. It could take a week or more for the drainage procedure. You consume antibiotics throughout this time to fend off illness. Your appendix will be surgically removed following the removal of the abscess.

• Rupture: Whatever symptoms and trouble you may face with your appendix will increase if the organ ruptures. The rupture also brings a host of other trouble like bacteria and infections. If your appendix ruptures, you will need emergency surgery and must get the organ taken out of your body at once. The longer the delay in surgery, the greater the complications.

• Infection of the stomach: Peritonitis is a condition where the appendix ruptures, filling the stomach lining with bacteria. It can be fatal if it progresses through the stomach. You may see symptoms like respiratory difficulties, high fever and severe stomach pain. The ruptured organ is removed via surgical intervention (laparotomy), and the infection is treated.

• Sepsis: Your blood could become infected by bacteria from a burst appendix. If this happens, sepsis, a severe complication, may ensue. Several of your organs become severely inflamed due to sepsis, which could prove fatal. Strong antibiotics must be used in a hospital setting to treat it.

When it comes to appendicitis prevention, there are few known things a person can do. We do not know what may trigger the disease and why the appendix ruptures. However, there are some pointers we can keep in mind to avoid the disease as far as possible.

Some things that might help in appendicitis prevention include;

• Eating food that is high in fibre, as constipation is one of the recognised signs of appendicitis. If you are eating fibrous food, your chances of developing constipation and thus putting pressure on your appendix decrease.

• Exercising regularly and living a healthy life can help in avoiding appendicitis.

• Drinking a lot of water is a good prevention method.

• Consume green fruits and vegetables.

• If you have a family history of appendicitis, regularly check to see if your organ is healthy.

• Avoid injury and trauma to your stomach area.

• Avoid high-stress situations as much as possible.

After getting the appendix surgically removed, you shouldn't experience any differences in your body's working because the organ's purpose is unknown. Following laparoscopic surgery, some patients return home on the day of the surgery or, at most, the next day. Post the laparoscopy; people can go back to leading a normal life in about 2-3 weeks.

After open surgery, your stay in the hospital will be longer—possibly even a week. If your appendix burst, you might require long-term antibiotic treatment to eradicate the infection. It could take you six weeks or more to heal.

After getting the appendix surgically removed, you shouldn't experience any differences in your body's working because the organ's purpose is unknown. Following laparoscopic surgery, some patients return home on the day of the surgery or, at most, the next day. Post the laparoscopy; people can go back to leading a normal life in about 2-3 weeks.

After open surgery, your stay in the hospital will be longer—possibly even a week. If your appendix burst, you might require long-term antibiotic treatment to eradicate the infection. It could take you six weeks or more to heal.

There may be instances when you wonder why you need to buy a health insurance policy or critical illness insurance. If we think about a case of appendicitis, it can show us why having a health insurance policy is important.

Appendicitis can happen to anyone at any time. You may be fine one moment and unable to take a step forward the next. In such cases, you will have to be rushed to the hospital at once to get treatment and possibly need surgery. A health insurance policy can help ease your worries in such situations.

Here are some reasons why one should have health insurance —

• Unhealthy Lifestyle- Our lives, for the most part, are more unhealthy than we would like it to be. When it comes to making healthy choice, we are not always succesful. Also, the environment we live and work in can be mentally and physically taxing. A combination of these factors are detrimental in the long run. In such cases, if you have critical illness insurance, you can feel comfortable knowing that no matter what the disease, you can get the best treatment for it.

• Uncertainty- Health emergencies can crop up at any given time. We may not even be prepared to deal with such situations. However, if you have a health insurance policy, you do not have to live in a state of uncertainty, as you know that should any health situation crop up, you can deal with it head-**on.

• Expenses- Healthcare is getting increasingly expensive with every passing day. If you have a health insurance plan, you do not need to worry about finances regarding your treatment. You can rest easy knowing that you can afford the best care without dipping into your savings.

• **Pre and Post-Hospitalisation Charges- When you need to be hospitalised for any treatment, it does not mean that the money you spend is only limited to your time in the hospital. There may be instances where you need to get some tests done or take some special medication before or after hospitalisation. These expenses can rack up quite a significant bill. Thus, we at Tata AIG offer you pre, and post-**hospitalisation coverage for any expenses you may incur that are directly related to the reason for your hospitalisation.

When it comes to buying a policy from Tata AIG, there are two ways in which you may buy your policy.

Online- To buy your policy online, you must:

• Visit our website and carefully go through the different plans we offer.

• Once you have decided on a plan, click on apply.

• You will be redirected to a page with the application form.

• Fill out the application form carefully.

• Attach the necessary documents.

• Click on submit.

• You will now have to pay the application fee.

• Make your payment and wait.

You should receive your policy in no time, given you have bought it online. It will be emailed to you, and you will also receive a copy of it on WhatsApp.

Offline- To buy our policy offline, you must:

• Find an AIG office close to you.

• Go to the office and approach the counter.

• Specify that you want to buy a health insurance policy.

• Someone will come and talk to you about the different options you have.

• Once you have settled on a plan, fill out the application form accordingly.

• Attach the relevant documents.

• Go to the counter and submit your papers.

• Pay the application fee.

This concludes your application process. Your policy papers will be sent once your application is verified and deemed fit.

To buy Tata AIG’s health insurance policy, you need to submit the following documents;

• Age proof

• ID proof

• Residence proof

• Income proof

• Coloured photographs

• Documents relating to your medical history