Peritonitis, an infection of the lining of abdominal cavity is the most serious complication of appendicitis. When appendix ruptures (perforates) and the contents of intestines and infectious organisms invade the peritoneal cavity peritonitis may occur. When this happens, patients may suddenly feel better, but soon after, the entire abdomen may become distended with gas and fluid and will likely feel tight, hard and tender to the touch. Also it can appear pain throughout the abdomen, but the patient may not have the severe, localized pain of appendicitis. Because of the inflammation patients may not be able to pass gas or have a bowel movement. Fever, thirst and a low urine output are other signs and symptoms which can occur in this case.
A medical emergency is peritonitis. If a person develops signs of this abdominal infection, an emergency room immediately must go, because peritonitis can be extremely serious, even with prompt treatment. A ruptured appendix occurs to children more than adults. Parents may delay getting treatment because their children don't always have typical symptoms of appendicitis. If the abdominal pain appears a doctor should be called. Appendiceal abscess, a walled-off area of infection can be formed sometimes by the infection and the seepage of intestinal contents and this abscess may be as small as a walnut or as large as a grapefruit. Before the abscess itself perforates causing peritonitis, it requires surgery indifferently by its size.
Appendectomy is appendix surgically removed in the case of acute appendicitis. In this case two types of surgery can be used, one the traditional open surgery, using a single long abdominal incision and the other is laparoscopic surgery, which requires only a few small abdominal incisions. In a laparoscopic procedure, a laparoscope ? a pencil-thin tube with its own lighting system and miniature video camera ? is inserted by the surgeon into abdomen through a hollow instrument (cannula). The video camera shows a magnified view of the inside of the abdomen on an outside video monitor which allows the surgery to be seen in detail by surgeon. Surgeon uses tiny instruments inserted through one or two other small abdominal incisions to remove the appendix.
Laparoscopic surgery allows to patient to recover faster and heal with less scarring. In the case of the appendix has ruptured and infection has spread beyond the appendix or if an abscess is present, patient will need a larger incision so that surgeon can clean the abdominal cavity. During the recovery patient will receive intravenous antibiotics and will stay in the hospital.
Peritonitis is a very serious problem, so people which have pains in abdominal cavity should consult a doctor to avoid complications.
What do you do when a friend or relative has an unexpected medical emergency and you have to accompany them to the emergency room? If it is a serious medical problem, you will need to call the emergency services phone number 911 (in the U.S. and Canada) and be ready to provide important information about the person's health.
You may need to give ambulance paramedics important health information. You may need to register the person at the emergency room and provide additional information, including insurance documentation. Doctors, nurses and medical staff will have questions to aid them in making critical decisions. In other words, someone needs to take charge and that someone may be you!
When we think of emergency preparedness, we usually think of food and water for an unexpected natural or man-made disaster. And if a serious medical emergency happens, we just call 911 and the medical staff will take care of everything else. But think again.
What if your loved one is alone and can't speak to the medical staff? What if they are unconscious and unable to answer questions about their medical condition and you don't know the answers? What if your child is at school and medical records are unavailable? You could be on a vacation, commuting, or even in a foreign country.
The answer is simple. Prepare an ?Emergency Document?. If you have a computer, type the information and print it. Save this document where it can easily be changed and reprinted when necessary. If you don't have a computer, write it by hand. At the very least, include name, address, contact and insurance information, prescription medications and allergies. Make sure to include additional comments that are critical in an emergency situation.
Fold the ?Emergency Document?, put it an envelope and write ?IN CASE OF EMERGENCY? in big letters on the front. Put the envelope in your purse, wallet or child's backpack. Keep it with you at all times so a medical attendant can retrieve the health information immediately.
If you are responsible for other people, then put the ?Emergency Documents? for yourself and the others in the same envelope. If you have a family, that might include you, your husband and children. Then give an envelope to every one in your family. You never know who needs to help the other!
If and when you go to the emergency room, do not leave your only copy with the first medical staff person you encounter. Either have the first person make additional copies for you or bring several copies with you. Usually you have to give the same information over and over again to every new nurse, doctor and technician that will be responsible for your emergency care! And make sure the correct information is on the patient's wristband.
An ?Emergency Document? is another kind of health insurance. If a medical emergency does occur, you will be prepared to handle it calmly, quickly, and efficiently to aid in the medical care of yourself or a loved one.
Both Groshan Fabiola & Candy Arnold are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Groshan Fabiola has sinced written about articles on various topics from Woman Menopause, Medical Condition and Health. For more information about please review. Groshan Fabiola's top article generates over 6120000 views. to your Favourites.
Candy Arnold has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Family and Mobile Phone Reviews. Candy Arnold is an author and artist. She draws on her own experiences to write ebooks and hard-copy books that help others. Candy now lives in the Tri-Cities, WA with her family. For "Emergency Document" worksheets and additional information on emergenc. Candy Arnold's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.